Tom Beaulieu

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the career and technology services in Tu Nedhe, both Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. I have questions for the Minister of Education pertaining to the situation in Lutselk’e. Can the Minister clarify why the current community learning centre facility cannot be maintained temporarily for a career and technology services trades programming until the Lutselk’e Dene School expansion occurs?

The area of income assistance, I was wondering when the last time the department looked at the -- I forget what the term is -- but you’re allowed to earn so much money. Unearned or earned income. The earned income thresholds. When was the last time the department looked at the earned income thresholds?

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

I am pleased to inform the House that next month a career and technologies services shop in Deninu K’ue School will officially be opened for the first time in 16 years. Thanks to initiatives set out by the Career and Technology Services Program, the industrial arts shop will reopen with all brand new equipment for the students to use for years to come, thus supporting the demand for skilled tradespeople in the North.

I would like to commend the principal and teachers of the Deninu K’ue School in Fort Resolution for all their hard work...

Needs assessment I’m assuming is income tested. I’m wondering if the income testing is fine. Is there any consideration for the cost of daycare or child care in that particular instance?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is sufficient in this area for now. Thank you.

Does the department, in looking at working this area of career and employment development, use the NWT Vital Statistics to determine where greater amounts of effort have to be put? I’ll give you an example: if we have communities with employment rates of approximately 70 to 80 percent, I’m suggesting that there doesn’t really need to be a strategy or anything, and obviously the economic wheel is moving fine on its own and the process is getting through without any difficulty. With employment rates in the 30 and 40 percent, as is common in the small communities, I’m wondering if the department...

Maybe just to put a little context to what I’m referring to, I know that some students are coming out of the college and graduating. Even sometimes in between year one and year two, they’re running into tough situations in the practicum or in the early stages and are not able to handle the varying types of management that is out there. So if the Minister is going to have a discussion with the Board of Governors, then that’s the context I am referring to. Something that is going to prepare them for the various types of management that they will encourage as they come out I think is essential...

Just shifting gears a bit into the career and employment development. I noticed a fairly substantial increase. I think that’s very positive. Maybe a 30 percent increase in the budget here. I’m pleased to hear that. Is that increase due to employment programs in the small communities or is this increase something else?

Maybe I’ll ask the Minister if they could provide some details pertaining to Fort Resolution. My understanding is the majority of the people in public housing remained as clients with the client services officer. My understanding is the volume of the work per client may have gone down, but the actual client load... It’s based on client load, as the deputy indicated. I don’t think they have the information here, but I’d like to ask the Minister if he could provide me with that information. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Does the department refuse any requests from private business or other departments to bring apprentices on? For example, the local housing organizations.