Debates of March 7, 2005 (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Would he inform the House in terms of the University and College Entrance Program? This program provides funding for up to two semesters and prepares aboriginal people to upgrade their education skills to qualify for university or college programs. Mr. Speaker, this program is to assist aboriginal people; however, Métis people are not eligible to apply. Can the Minister update as to what the progress is in terms of having Métis people eligible for this program? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 552-15(3): Federal University And College Entrance Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; the program is a program that is offered by the federal government. We administer it on their behalf to make it easier for Northwest Territories residents to access the program, but the rules of the program do not allow Métis people to access the program. It is not just the Métis people that have had problems with it. We have a waiting list. There are more than 20 status people who, this year, are not getting served by the program because the program ran out of money so early in the year.

Mr. Speaker, I have written to the federal Minister on numerous occasions requesting that they give us some consideration for a change in the program. But to date, the federal government has refused to do that.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 552-15(3): Federal University And College Entrance Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the proposed pipeline and other resource development that is happening in the Northwest Territories, we are encouraging our students and young people in communities all over the Northwest Territories to get an education. What plans does he have in terms of getting some extra funding and making sure that all people are eligible to apply for these types of funds that are meant to be? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 552-15(3): Federal University And College Entrance Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The college offers upgrading programs in almost every community in the Northwest Territories. It is largely through their work that we are able to have our residents upgraded and ready to get into college. So the government does still provide a lot of assistance to that. Also in the Northwest Territories right now, we do have for residents, particularly along the Mackenzie River, access to funding through the ASEP program which will help NWT residents get training to be able to take on jobs in the oil and gas industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 552-15(3): Federal University And College Entrance Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what is the Minister doing in terms of getting the University and College Entrance Program funding that would include the Métis to fit in these criteria in terms of applying for that funding? What are the conditions that we need to hear on this side to get people to be eligible for this funding, especially the Métis who are looking for some type of support for that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 552-15(3): Federal University And College Entrance Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will continue to pressure the federal government to recognize what they themselves say. They say that aboriginal people include Métis people, and yet they are discriminating in this program by not allowing Métis people to apply. So I will continue to pressure the federal government and work to try and have them recognize that they must change the rules to allow Métis people to also access this money, and that they should put more money in so that all of the status people who are applying to it can be served. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 552-15(3): Federal University And College Entrance Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister is correct. I support it 100 percent in terms of going after the federal government to set the record straight that Métis are included as aboriginal people. Can the Minister commit to a time frame to finally let them know that Métis people can apply and are eligible for this University and College Entrance Program? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 552-15(3): Federal University And College Entrance Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t commit because it is a federal program. It is not one that we offer. We deliver the program in order to make it easier for people to access it in the Northwest Territories. But I will commit to advising the standing committee, by the time we get into business plans, the results of the latest communication that I have with the federal government. Thank you.