Debates of November 27, 2007 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment this afternoon. In my statement today I spoke about the challenges working families have and are faced with day to day with trying to find competent, affordable, quality childcare. Mr. Speaker, we only have about 1,200 childcare spaces in the NWT and families are not able to afford them. I’d like to know what the Minister is doing, if he’s aware of this problem, and what initiatives is he taking on to follow up and deal with this problem of childcare spaces and affordability of those spaces. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Return To Question 20-16(1): Day Care Services

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the childcare issue is very important for our department and also the Government of the Northwest Territories. We are recognizing that there is a need in the communities. There are plans in place. There is consultation that will be taking place with the day care facilities identifying concerns, issues and the gaps, and also what the main issues are with respect to what the Member is requesting. We have our childcare consultant in place who is dealing with the department and also the consultation process. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 20-16(1): Day Care Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it’s time for an independent review of the situation. We have the affordability in the sense that parents can’t afford to pay for day care, we have the affordability sense…

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Yes, I do. Mr. Speaker, we have the affordability sense from the day cares of being able to have stable funding. So would the Minister be able to initiate a review to look into this problem to make sure funding is stable for these organizations and that parents can afford this? Will he look into this and create a review of this current state that we’re having? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 20-16(1): Day Care Services

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, there is consultation that will take place with the day care facilities. With that, the outcome will be what’s needed and what’s demanding at the facilities. So we will be looking into that as a department with all the day care facilities in the Northwest Territories. So Yellowknife will be included in that, as well. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 20-16(1): Day Care Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister says there will be a consultation. I’d like to know what “will” means and who it’s run by and what’s the mandate being provided to whoever that “will” is in this particular case that’s doing this review. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 20-16(1): Day Care Services

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, ECE is spearheading this with a childcare consultant that we have in place. They will be working with the parents and also the facility, and that information will be shared with our colleagues, Social Programs especially, because any changes that comes to this House, there’s always consultation that takes place with the Members, as well. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 20-16(1): Day Care Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to share the proposal that this person has for marching orders to find out what the issues are, as well as when does he expect this report to be finalized and presented to the House or to committee? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 20-16(1): Day Care Services

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, that information, upon being delivered to our department, will certainly be available for consultation with our fellow colleagues. That is still a work in progress. So once it’s finalized, then we will be sharing it. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

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