Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 65)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I had the opportunity to visit almost all 25 students in the Sahtu region attending post-secondary or upgrading technical schooling in Fort Smith.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of this resource as our next workforce, mentoring and future life skills counselling contributes to the graduation success rate of the youth.

Mr. Speaker, ECE is working in partnership with Aurora College in publication of a renewed labour market development and implementing the first year of the Skills 4 Success.

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly continues to advocate for higher youth graduation candidates...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 65)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Shirley Kisoun, a good friend of the family. Welcome to the House. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 65)

I’m glad to hear that there are supports there. My next question, Mr. Speaker, is: can the Minister provide me with minutes of the sessions if they are in fact going on, we may have some contributing dialogue or input to what we think that the students might want to hear from opportunities back home?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 65)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Timely Receipt of Materials

The standing committee received the Minister's letter transmitting the action plan at the close of business on Friday, January 13, 2016. The committee's in camera preparation for the public review began on the afternoon of the following business day. This effectively left the standing committee with a half-day to prepare for consideration of the 36-page action plan. This is unacceptable.

The committee considers that it is a contravention of section 10 of the Process Convention on Communications between Cabinet...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

That was leading up to my next question on progress reports and updates. I welcome the Minister's commitment to provide those reports on the progress during the transition. Maybe they can include, also, if there are any allowances for furniture for the new office there, please.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Member statement, directed to the Minister of Transportation: as our government approaches the last month before break, what preparatory measures are under way for the pre-start-up of the new Department of Infrastructure in the Sahtu region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories is working on organizational restructuring proposals, as part of the ongoing efforts, to ensure it remains on a fiscally-sustainable path for the future. Proposals include the amalgamation of the department of Public Works and Services and the Department of Transportation into a single infrastructure department. The other merging of corporate services functions is currently carried out by the Departments of Executive, Finance, Human Resources, and Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.

The GNWT previously announced...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Will the Minister elaborate a little bit on the staff recruitment plans?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to echo my colleague, the Minister, on recognizing the Algonquin band members from Quebec; I hope you had an enjoyable weekend in Deline. Also I'd like to recognize the three members from the alumni NHL who also participated in the celebrations in Deline; Dan Frawley, Shaun Van Allen, and John Chabot. Thank you very much for coming to see our proceedings.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 63)

I am glad to hear that the Minister is open to suggestions on how to better package and tailor programs offered to the communities. In this case, on the issue of capital preservation, I think it will be an entertaining suggestion to look at loan guarantees to be ironed out in the new strategy.