Tom Beaulieu

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize some young ladies from Daughters of the Vote. First I'd like to recognize Laney Beaulieu. Laney Beaulieu is my brother Danny's granddaughter. I'd like to recognize two other young girls whose families originate from Fort Resolution: Jaylene Delorme-Buggins, Olivia Villebrun. Also, I'd like to recognize Dennis Drygeese and Maro Sundberg. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, one more question: are individuals living in public housing eligible to be foster parents?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just have a couple of more questions on Child and Family Services programs. One of the things that keeps coming up with me in my riding is that, if there are issues with children and then the relatives intervene and end up taking control of the children, they are not eligible to have any support unless it goes through the court system. I understand that they are also not an approved foster home, and I know that is what the issue is.

I am wondering if the Minister could tell me if there has been any work done towards approving the approval process of...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there is a substantial budget in place for Child and Family Services, as we can all see. I almost view Child and Family Services or child apprehension 100 per cent preventable. I am wondering if the Minister could commit to doing some work on more than just what appears on the surface and reasons for apprehending children and looking deeper into the reasons behind the child apprehensions or even the reasons behind how the department and the families end up with a plan of -- I can't remember the term that the Minister just used, but the plan, then to try...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 216-18(2), NWT Main Estimates 2017-2018 with the Department of Health and Social Services. Mr. Chairman, if we are to conclude the Department of Health and Social Services, we would like to get the Minister's comments on Industry, Tourism and Investment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I'm going to assume that that $2 million is not part of what the government is referring to as fully funded from the answers I've got. Mr. Speaker, in 2000, teachers went on strike. One of the results of that strike was a ministerial directive on inclusive schooling. Since then that inclusive schooling has been eroded. Can the Minister tell me what the initial money for inclusive schooling was put in place for and what was the reason that directive was put out by the Minister of the day?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to ask more questions on junior kindergarten. Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated that the first group of schools that started junior kindergarten rolled out kindergarten at their own expense. So $2 million was taken out of the school boards. Is the Minister saying that that $2 million is not part of the fully funded -- the term "fully funded" that's been used by the GNWT right now to fund junior kindergarten, that $2 million spent by the school boards is no longer in the mix? Is that the case? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nothing further.

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...

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.