Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

We are committed to training teachers and incorporating Indigenous knowledge in our practise through our pledge to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. How will we meet that obligation if we eliminate the Teacher Education Program at Aurora College?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. We will be the only jurisdiction in Canada that cannot train our own teachers. If we do this, we will lose connection to the land, the culture, the history and the Indigenous people, all the northern learning so special to our Teacher Education Program.

Mr. Speaker, we must be forward-thinking. Our predecessors built this program investing in the North and our people. The 17 Assemblies before us stayed true to that fundamental principle. There have been many temporary difficult financial times, but Members of those Assemblies were strongly committed to training Northern...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Chair rise and report progress.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

The Minister explained inclusive schooling and the funding levels as per the NWT Ministerial Directive on Inclusive Schooling. I think it was indicated that 15 per cent would be the amount for inclusive schooling. Education is funding at 17 per cent. Having said that, I think that, even if we fund junior kindergarten at 15 per cent, it would still be fairly significant. My understanding is that the original budget was over $7 million, if not higher. If you just calculate 15 per cent on that, that seems to be -- I am not understanding how the fact that they are funding K to 12 at a level higher...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I wanted to ask the Minister if the recent agreement with the federal government is reflected in work performed on behalf of others or is it reflected somewhere else in this budget? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I talked about the funding for junior kindergarten. I'd like to ask the Minister questions along those lines. The Minister said that junior kindergarten is fully funded, but we keep hearing from the boards and that that there is no inclusion of inclusive schooling or Aboriginal instruction with the four-year-olds who are going into junior kindergarten. So I'd just like to ask the Minister what "fully funded" means? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, can the Minister provide that information on whether or not they can go in, considering the occupational standards that the Housing Corporation uses to house their people and also if there is any impact on that on rents?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [English translation not provided]. Mr. Speaker, Members, school boards, education authorities, and parents are seeking clarity when it comes to junior kindergarten.

We discussed these matters at length in the House last week. I don't want to tread over the same ground again but, Mr. Speaker, with so much information -- sometimes contradictory information is circulating -- I must briefly highlight three points.

First, the school boards and the education authorities face ongoing funding issues. NWT classrooms deal with higher pupil-teacher ratios than most of...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have recently encountered a situation like this, and the individual was not able to get support for him and his wife taking three children, so I would like to maybe find out  I will do this separately. I don't think we need to talk about that here. If there is an expedited approval process, I will go to the Minister privately to get that so that these individuals can get hold of the proper officials. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

No, thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is fine for this section. Thank you.