Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a former Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Tony Whitford. I'd also like to recognize, along with the many honourable Members here, the Daughters of the Vote; those who will come after us and take these seats. Thank you for letting us keep your seats warm.

I'd also like to recognize Mrs. Groenewegen and Ms. Lee for their many years of public service and their contributions to political life in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Also, in the process of acquiring the Northlands assets in Hay River, is the Minister, or the Power Corporation, or anyone, aware of the state of that infrastructure and whether it needs renewal in the short to immediate term? Are we going to be taking on additional costs in renewing that infrastructure? Is the Minister aware if those questions have been asked?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On this topic today, I attended a luncheon with the president of the Canadian Electricity Association, and there were some facts that he brought forward; namely, that the Conference Board of Canada believes that it will take $350 billion to renew electricity infrastructure and support the growing demand for energy. Does the Minister know what our current infrastructure deficit is in power infrastructure in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Well, Mr. Speaker, there's a big difference between a system that encompasses 34 million Canadians and a system that encompasses 40,000 Northerners. I think that we have options here, and national opinion polls show that the majority of Canadians want to engage in this discussion; they want to be consulted. This is an area I think that we've seen a lot of attention. So given that the Minister's job in this portfolio is open government, can he commit to at least starting to look at a discussion paper that could be shared with Members on this side of the House and with members of the public on...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Apart from encouraging students to work harder so they can graduate in greater numbers than before and reminding them that they can access Student Financial Assistance to go to programs down south, what is the Minister doing to help these students today who are not yet in the program but were looking forward to taking it? The high school students, the community access students, who wanted to pursue this in the future now may not have that opportunity. How are we helping them get education here in the Northwest Territories, in the programs that they have...

Would the Minister agree with me that, in light of the lack of a new strategic plan for Aurora College, where many of the longterm goals of the college are still undecided, it is unadvisable to cut crucial programs like social work and education at this time?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize all the students who have come out to join us today and watch our proceedings. They were out earlier raising their voices, which is an important part of democratic participation, and I commend them for that. I encourage them to never stop, and one day perhaps seek an office in this House. We always need more representation from our Northern population.

Also, I'd like to recognize my good friend Fran Page who is visiting the Northwest Territories from Ottawa. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to thank my honourable friend for his comments. I think he has done an excellent job of summarizing the concerns many of us have with the budget and areas that need improvement. I will just repeat a few of those.

The Regular Members have asked for $500,000 for youth-in-crisis funding and to support a mobile crisis intervention team to address our atrocious rates of suicide, and especially suicide affecting young people in our communities; another $500,000 in antipoverty funding to support our NGOs in delivering what I would say are essential services to our...

Earlier, in recognition of visitors in the gallery, the Minister made the comment that, "We are listening to you. We are listening to the students." The students today, I heard them loud and clear outside the building, "We don't want any more cuts to education. We want northern education."

What is the Minister doing to ensure that we have quality access to madeinthenorth education programs? If this program isn't working, Mr. Speaker, why are we cutting it instead of redesigning it so it can be successful?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that this has been a topic of hot debate and an almost consistent feature of question period, but I do want to ask the Minister of Education, just firmly on the record, if he can answer: why has Aurora College decided to discontinue the Social Work Diploma and the Teacher Education Program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.