Kieron Testart

I think some business people might disagree, and certainly it's good but that doesn't mean it stops there. Good is the enemy of great, and I think we deserve a world-class procurement system.

So will the Minister commit to establishing a committee of businesspeople and procurement experts to evaluate objectively our procurement system here in the Northwest Territories?

One thing I have heard is that, if the funding followed the apprentice and was paid to the employer, it would be a more flexible program and you could have apprentices shifting employment to various things. For example, if they worked in the mine and came into Yellowknife or Hay River and worked in a manufacturing facility, they could still retain the benefits of government-funded apprenticeships but be able to spread that benefit across the Territories. Does the Minister support that approach, and can he share that detail, if it is included in the strategy?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke about apprenticeships, and I take note that the Minister also spoke about a new apprenticeship strategy that the department will be unveiling shortly, with both friends on the systemic committee and social development. Today, I would like to know a bit more about that apprenticeship strategy, specifically if the Minister can share: is there a financial commitment to support any parts of that strategy so we can get some real, tangible results by investing in our trades? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think, to anyone observing today's debate, it is very clear that the honourable Members of this House place the rights of Northerners at the highest possible level the paramount responsibility of this Assembly, and that is to be commended. Further, anyone who heard the honourable Member from Deh Cho speak knows firsthand that the experiences he brings to this House are irreplaceable and speak to many things. That experience informs the decisions of this Assembly and makes us a stronger Assembly by having that experience shared and infused into how we discuss very...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I think one of the highest obligations of any legislator is to ensure that the rights of Canadians, and certainly in our case the rights of all Northerners, are protected including essential democratic rights, and the Charter is our guide to doing that.

I am concerned that the amendment as indicated in Committee Motion 91-18(2) does not adequately ensure that the constitutional rights of Northerners will be protected and potentially infringed by a ban for running for office, and I propose this amendment is a way to provide certainty that, should a ban be brought...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly identified a number of priority actions including fostering healthy families by focusing on wellness prevention and improved nutrition as well as creating opportunities for healthy lifestyles and community leadership for youth;

AND WHEREAS Petition 6-18(2): Elimination of time change in the Northwest Territories was presented to the House on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, and contained over 500 electronic signatures of territorial residents;

AND WHEREAS academic research has demonstrated that there may be negative effects on both the mind and...

Can the Minister tell us what is the complaint process for procurement in the Northwest Territories? How do people complain about our procurement system?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, government procurement often comes up in my discussions with constituents, and particularly in supporting our economy, and our government has recognized that government procurement is an important driver. So now that the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment also has the responsibility for the Department of Transportation, soon to be the Department of Infrastructure, all under one roof will he commit to a comprehensive procurement reform for the Northwest Territories that involves stakeholders and creates a better system of government procurement...

I, of course, represent the business community that makes frequent use of trades. I have laid out some of the good work the department is doing already. I wonder if the department spoke with the people making use of this program and agrees that their businesses are unsupported, or not supported as much as they could be. I clock that at 25 per cent capacity of what they get. Does the Minister agree that, by providing more financial resources, we could get more people into the trades and more apprenticeships going with these businesses?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize the hardworking tradespeople of the Northwest Territories, who have pursued very important skills that are in high demand, not only here but throughout Canada. I also want to recognize that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment does support our tradespeople through apprenticeship programs, and the continuous support for the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certification program.

The department assists and supports the development, maintenance, and delivery of designated trade and occupational training programs that...