Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we had a really good briefing from Skills Canada NWT and it got me thinking about youth programs and all the programs that they do with such a small office. But it got me thinking to a bigger level, and today I have questions for the Minister of Youth in regard to possibly the creation or the development of a youth symposium.
First of all, I just want to ask the Minister of Youth, has there ever been a youth symposium for youth providers of the Northwest Territories, in his knowledge as the Minister of Youth. Has there ever been a youth symposium where providers for youth programs come together and discuss some of the challenges and success stories? That’s my first question.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The Minister responsible for Youth, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are many opportunities for those that provide service to youth to come together on an informal basis and have discussions on how to improve the programs for youth. In the previous Assembly, I think the Premier at the time had a Premier’s forum with the youth and had a lot of providers there, a lot of youth workers, a lot of youth that were there. It was well attended, and the suggestions that came out of this forum for the age of the kids that took part in this forum were unbelievable. They did an excellent job. I mean, there are always opportunities for youth providers to gather. As far as an actual symposium goes, it’s something that we’d have to have a look at.
We have some really great youth programs out there, Youth Ambassador Program, Northern Youth Abroad Program. Skills Canada is doing a great job. We do all these programs to empower our youth. Is there something that we can do to empower our volunteers and empower our youth, our workforce who provide these programs to the youth? I guess my question is: Would the Minister be willing to look at creating, coordinating and planning for a youth symposium for our volunteers for our workforce who provide these programs for youth so that they can share their stories, so that they can work the challenges? It would also be a good opportunity to report and evaluate on the programs that MACA and the Minister of Youth provide such as the Youth Corps and the Youth Contributions Program. Would the Minister be willing to look, coordinate and plan a youth symposium for youth, workers and volunteers?
I will commit to the Member that I will start having discussions with the officials over at MACA about hosting such a symposium and keep Members apprised as to going forward, and if there’s a possibility of having it, we’ll make sure we have an opportunity to invite all Members of the Assembly.
I think it’s a great idea and it’s an opportunity to evaluate programs, share what the programs are, an opportunity for organizations to give details on the programs that they provide so other organizations can jump on board, and also develop some really great partnerships. It would be an opportunity for the youth ambassadors to probably coordinate such a symposium. A lot of positives here. Can the Minister provide, possibly, a timeline, whether this is something that we can see in the ’13-14 fiscal year or ’14-15 fiscal year?
Mr. Speaker, there are many opportunities for those that provide service to youth to network. We have a number of events that go on across the Northwest Territories at any given time where they could network and share some of their success stories and work with each other. However, I have committed to the Member that I will work with the officials and see about putting on a symposium.
As far as the timeline goes, once I have those discussions, I think I’ll be in a better position to give a definite date as to when we plan on having it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
