Marci cho, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 26118(2), Northwest Territories Main Estimates, 20172018, hopefully completing the Department of Health and Social Services and also considering Industry, Tourism and Investment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

What was the conclusion of the most recent evaluation on the Teacher Education Program, and what improvements were suggested, if any?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Education on the Teacher Education Program. Mr. Speaker, if we eliminate the Teacher Education Program, I predict that fewer Northern students will study to become teachers. The department must have looked into that before proposing the cut. What is the department's forecast in future years for the number of Indigenous students studying to become teachers? Thank you.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [English translation not provided].

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we debate the cutbacks proposed for Aurora College, we must ask ourselves as an Assembly: what kind of territory do we want to be?

When the devolution agreement came into force in 2014 we promised our people we would build a territory and shape our future ourselves. Today, three years later, we are talking about shutting down two flagship programs at Aurora College: the teacher education and the social work programs.

If we cut the Teacher Education Program we turn back time nearly 50...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm not asking if there's a difference; I know there's that threshold. I'm asking if that threshold is being reviewed also. The Minister answered the question previously saying, "We're always reviewing BIP, it sort of gives a leg up to the northern companies versus southern companies." My question was specific to northern versus local. Is that part also being looked at? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, I'd like to ask the Minister if the department is still contemplating possible review or maybe revamping of the Business Incentive Policy, first question. Second question is: is the Business Incentive Policy meeting its intended objective?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, has the department determined that this program isn’t achieving its objective? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I notice that Business Development Investment Corporation is dropping by almost a half a million dollars. I was wondering if the Minister could just explain that decrease? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that committee defer consideration of estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister: what is the expected economic impact on Fort Smith if the Teacher Education Program is eliminated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.