Mahsi cho. Mr. Speaker, today I have questions for the Minister of MACA. Today I spoke about the many challenges my communities are facing regarding hiring properly trained recreation youth staff.
In response to my previous question on challenges in communities hiring trained recreation staff, the Minister of MACA acknowledges it was something that was recognized for quite some time.
I’d like to ask the Minister: Would he commit to following through with his commitment to meet with me to discuss these challenges, possibly redirecting financing to find solutions?
I’ve already committed to meeting with one of the communities in the Member’s riding. It wouldn’t take a whole lot more effort to meet with the Member in the other community he represents, Fort Resolution. We’d be glad to talk about budgeting and being able to redirect financing and things of that nature with the communities, along with the Member.
Thank you to the Minister for that answer.
Mr. Speaker, I pointed out the successes that we all are aware of in the trades program. Just look at all the apprentices in our community. Would the Minister commit to supporting the recreation director-type position and the trades apprentices-type approach or possibly working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to reinstate the Public Service Career Training Program?
I certainly would commit to working with the Department of Education to look at how we can improve the numbers for qualified recreational staff. Aurora College already has a program, the Recreation Leaders Program; however, there is no real mechanism for an apprenticeship type of program in the community. Some communities have gone as far as to develop training plans for their communities, but it’s a kind of one-off situation designed specifically for their community. I would like to see that brought forward as a template.
We also have a number of programs geared toward our recreation facility maintainers through the School of Community Government. I’d be glad to share that information with the Member also.
I don’t have anything further. I’d just thank the Minister for those answers.
