Tom Beaulieu

Is enrolment and absenteeism essentially the same in this overall strategy? I understand the increase in enrolment of Aboriginal students would be something, but once they’re enrolled, what the Minister referred to as going up I’m assuming is that the absentee rates are going down. Is that the correct assumption, Mr. Chairman?

Mr. Chairman, on the non-insured health benefits, we have almost $10 million for work performed on behalf of others. That is, I think, a Health Canada funding provided to First Nations and Inuit residents that are not covered under a hospital or a medical care program. My understanding from this is that the department delivers a program. So far, in the inquiries that have come from my constituents in the communities, I have generally been sending them to the website, because other than filling out the applications myself, sending them to a website asking them to pull the documentation off the...

That’s good, Mr. Chairman. This is what I had the idea that it was going to provide service in those areas, places that were just mentioned by the Minister, and what happens in that case is the majority of that treatment and that care is provided to people, and I recognize that people from all the small communities also end up here in Yellowknife, but it is provided to the folks, most of the folks here in YK.

There’s really nothing more that I can add other than it’s good to see that if they’re going to look at something like this in the future to shift away from this type of care that they...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page 8-31, non-government organizations residential care, the…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if I said a half-time student but I think I meant a half-time teacher.

Mr. Speaker, earlier he talked about buildings that don’t belong to the GNWT. Would the Minister look at Education, Culture and Employment’s infrastructure plan to add funding to build a new building to house daycare and preschool in Fort Resolution? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, if additional space in the current daycare preschool can’t be obtained, whether it is an addition or some internal renovations, will the Minister work with the local district authority to find some temporary space for the community so that these kids can go to preschool prior to going to kindergarten in September? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

In Fort Resolution there is a daycare and a preschool program. These programs are much needed and appreciated. The main problem is the building that houses the daycare and preschool is an old 1960s trailer that was moved to Fort Resolution from Little Buffalo Junction. At this time the building needs a new roof, a new furnace and many other minor repairs, and about 300 to 400 square feet because it’s too small to accommodate the community’s preschool needs.

I believe this building is beyond economical repair, once the expansion is added...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Chairman. I was happy to hear the Minister say that children and students are the cornerstone of the education system. I think they’re the cornerstone of our society, actually. I find that putting effort into the early childhood development is a very positive move for the small communities, no question about that. I think that it’s important. Even today in my Member’s statement I spoke of the need to support daycares and the need to support preschool and all of those types of programs that support the development of the children in their early years. I’m very pleased with that...

Mr. Chairman, the situation is that I have people coming to me, whether it be dental, eye care, or whatever it is, and saying, where am I going to get support, who is going to pay for this, and stuff like that. I am going back to the department. The department is referring me to a website. I had one situation where I referred an individual to the local nurse and then the situation seemed to have dissolved itself. That may be the health centre is supporting individuals, helping them apply for benefits under the Non-Insured Health Benefits, so if that is the case, fine, that way I just know...

Mr. Chairman, could I ask the Minister why?