Déclarations dans les débats

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 11)

I could have sworn that was an answer from the Minister of Education; we need discussions, discussions, meetings and more discussion. For the record, Section 10 is about remedies where, if you cannot reasonably meet those commitments, you put in a formal written statement that talks about how you can achieve them and how can you.

So now to Section 9, how is the Minister holding these mines to account under Section 9 of the socio-economic agreement that puts Northerners to work?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some diamond mines are not living up to their employment targets as prescribed in their legally contracted socio-economic agreements. The Government of the Northwest Territories and the mines signed these agreements in good faith, where we wanted 60 percent of the mines’ employment to be northern workforce. Right now there are some mines making up less than 40 percent of that workforce.

Increasingly, I know that we live in a time where people can live anywhere, but who’s defending the small communities when unemployment rates reach as high as 70 percent? Are there too...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 11)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to provide a couple of quick opening comments and more points when we get to the specific page.

I do want to acknowledge the work that is being done by the department, I personally would have liked to have seen more work done on midwifery, expanding it to more of a territorial program. Certainly it’s much needed here in Yellowknife. As a matter of fact, I’m sure the Minister is well aware, if not, he’ll hear it first, that, of course, there’s a bit of a rally towards the Ledge tomorrow and it’s coming here, so I would hope that they would take note of the...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 11)

More job opportunities for the southern workforce as I describe as tourists just visiting. Section 8 of the socio-economic agreement speaks to remedies. I have not heard any solutions other than let’s talk, let’s trade dialogue, let’s have meetings. Who is defending the northern person who needs a job, who is opening up opportunities? It doesn’t sound like this Minister, and if he is, then let’s hear concrete facts and commitments on how he’s doing that, because I haven’t heard anything to date. Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment what he’s doing about holding the mines to account on their economic agreements and perhaps even inviting the opportunity of having the mines – let’s be very clear – subsidize a northern workforce to come south to work at those mines. So, in short, what is the Minister of ITI doing with regard to Section 10 of the socio-economic agreement in having ensured it’s implemented and fulfilled? Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be again to the Minister of Education regarding inclusive schooling. Maybe, for this moment, on my first question I’ll ask the Minister his version of what is inclusive schooling. Maybe he can explain that. What is the purpose of the money and how does it help the students?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 10)

Thank you. If the Minister responsible for Education doesn’t want to be responsible for the inclusive education, maybe we should be asking him today who should be responsible for this and how has it improved the lives and education of students who need inclusive education money. Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and my question is simple. Does he support inclusive education and can he explain it? How and why?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many schools, including those in Yellowknife, are shortchanged when it comes to support in funding for inclusive schooling. This is the practice of including all students with special needs in regular classes and providing the extra support they certainly need and deserve.

Yellowknife schools are attracting special needs students from far and wide. Why? Because it’s a clear demonstration of the good quality schools we have here. As well, sometimes the families need to come to Yellowknife for the other services, which include health care, respite and counselling.

Insuffic...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 10)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to let the Minister know, and certainly the deputy minister know, I sincerely appreciated that detailed example because the traditional economy is very important to Northerners, as we all know.

I just want to change subjects, but on the same page. It’s no surprise that I, as well as many of the Members in this House, am very supportive of the film industry. We’ve seen such phenomenal growth and attention of the world. I think we’re just on the cusp of greater success, and in talking to many of the filmmakers in the Northwest Territories that some of whom I’ve...