Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. It's in regards to carrying on the torch here on Sahtu regional trades technical centre. My predecessor brought this up many times. In my research here, I want to quote a motion that was passed. It says, “Now, therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member of the Yellowknife Centre.” This is a document dated February 2014. It says, “The GNWT will conduct a planning study in the 2014-2015 fiscal year for a Sahtu regional institute of technology, and further, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this motion within 120 days.” I think we're beyond that 120 days. I'm wondering if there is a response. No, I'm just kidding. My question to the Minister is if we can reactivate that study and move forward, revisit it to see if there's viability for this trades tech centre in one of the Sahtu communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The feasibility study that was conducted in 2014-2015 to examine the viability and a regional institute of technology in the Sahtu was brought forth to the department, and we shared that report with the Member for Sahtu at that time in the 17th Legislative Assembly. Unfortunately, the final report did mention that it was not feasible at this time to move forward on this initiative. The Member did ask if we would revive that report. I have no problems sharing that report with the new Member and moving forward to see how we can best look at providing programs and services in terms of trades and industry work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I welcome that initiative here, and some things have changed since that time. I guess one cost measure in favour of this institution to revisit or review, is that the four bands in the Sahtu most recently have formed a joint venture, acquired some building assets from the former hotel owner and have moved on to acquire another…
Member for Sahtu, could you ask your question, please?
My question of the Minister is: will he be willing to look at the building bought by the bands as well, because we've got a building?
Any decisions regarding increased training facilities or training program deliveries need to be made with a territorial context, as well as subject to the GNWT's capital planning process. What I would like to share with the Member, though, is that the Sahtu does have a regional training partnership that has been re-established. From my understanding, they stopped operating in 2013; however, the ECE Sahtu regional office is utilizing community employment officers as points of contact for community leaders, businesses, as well as residents to bring forward these training initiatives. I would be looking at working and also discussing some of these options, in which the department is also an active member. I'm looking forward to working with the Regional Training Partnership Committee to see what options there are in the Sahtu.
It's good to hear that there's principle to engage on a move-forward plan. My next question is: is it the willingness of the Minister to come and visit one of the Sahtu communities, have a look at these buildings and the other elements to form a forward plan here for revisiting the institution of setting up of Sahtu Tech?
A couple of things. The Skills 4 Success Initiative that we're going to be working on is going to build the foundation for what is needed out in the labour force, as what are the community needs. I did mention earlier in this session that we were going to be releasing the Labour Market Information Report that's going to guide us along the way in terms of all regions and what they need in terms of labour market workforce. With the department and my commitment to getting out to the committees and the regions to see what is needed, I can work with the Member to look at when we can make a visit to the Sahtu.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Would the Minister propose some dates in the next 90 days -- I know we're going to be busy, but “proposed” is the right choice of words on dates there -- for a site community visit to analyze this potential?
As mentioned, the Sahtu Training Partnership Committee that's formed I would be willing to meet with that group as well and we can get some dates in place for the Member to see the best time to make the visit into the Sahtu.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
