Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for sharing, and I wasn't too sure how this all works. I applaud you guys and I appreciate the fact that you guys are going to go out there and share this information of best practices. Just one final question on this here. This is not going to have an impact on the other student-teacher ratio that we presently have in the schools? Junior kindergarten is basically 12:1? Is this correct, Mr. Chair?

Thank you. Just in regard to Affirmative Action Policy and practice, I'm a little confused with terms and when people are getting term positions within the system and they are able to be hired without going through another… I don't want to call it direct appointment, but moved into positions within the education system. Could the Minister explain the process and how that works? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Premier for his answer. Mr. Speaker, I understand and appreciate how the Premier answered the question, but can he please explain what the difference is between Cabinet positions and public servant positions when we're doing reductions. If the government wants the public service to reduce their numbers, why can't we do that to show leadership on our end? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regard to the PTR and junior kindergarten we had a presentation by the department. Can you please explain to us what the pupil-teacher ratio is going to be for the implementation of junior kindergarten? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I also notice in the South Slave, they got an increase of two positions. If we are doing a reduction, could you please explain how we are getting an increase in positions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Premier answered part of the question, but I'll move onto my next one. Mr. Speaker, there has been conversation and rumours out in the public service and on the streets of communities that the NWT are about to potentially realign some of the departments. Can the Premier please confirm that this option has been looked at and discussed?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regards to the arts organizations operating funds, just kind of a comment. It was kind of confusing. If they could actually do a budget line or like a description and say this is where the money went to I think it would have helped alleviate some of the questions we have. Some of the organizations out there that'll be looking for this funding may be sitting there going, well, the money's gone, and not realize it's out there in another pot. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I notice that there was the reduction in the Dehcho by one position. Could the Minister explain what position was this? Was it sunsetted or was it part of the reduction process? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to also recognize Jim Antoine, his wife Celine Antoine, Tumbah Antoine, who graduated from Dechinta this past Saturday after two months in the bush, as well as Deneze Nakehk’o, former resident of Deh Cho, Fort Simpson, the Liidlii Kue First Nation and as well I'd be remiss not to recognize one of my sons, as I call him, Wade Vaneltsi. Welcome. Thank you.

Could the Minister provide what percentage is federal and what percentage is territorial? Thank you.