Kieron Testart

Does this move by the college fit into the mandate of this Assembly and the direction it has set?

One of the things a Northern Social Work degree can do is help implement the TRC recommendations and help with the stated goals of reconciliation. I know firsthand that one of my constituents would prefer to work with an Indigenous social worker, with recent dealings with the health system. Does this move fit into the mandate? Can the Minister be clear in how it fits into the mandate, to cancel this program?

What direction has the Minister given to Aurora College for its programming offerings and overall direction ahead of the strategic plan being released?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd also like to recognize Ms. Arlene Hache, a tenacious advocate for those in need in society and also a member of the Order of Canada. She's brought great distinction to the Northwest Territories for her years of work and great distinction to our House for being here today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

I appreciate the statistics from the Minister. It is good to see we are making better use. Apart from escorts, are we moving away from having an RCMP officer in the courtroom securing it? Has that policy shift been discussed with both our partners in the RCMP and within the Department of Justice? Have you had that discussion? Are we moving toward the model that we have seen in other jurisdictions, such as Nunavut, where the sheriffs are the sole security personnel and peace officers responsible for court security and we can start shifting the RCMP to other responsibilities as through our...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I note that the current budget proposes to increase the complement of deputy sheriffs in the Department of Justice by two. I wonder if the Minister of Justice can fill me in on if they have had the discussion about the sheriffs taking over all court services in the justice system and allow the RCMP out of the courtroom and onto the streets where they belong? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am aware that the escalator was decreasing from 6 to 3 per cent, and that was the source of the frustration initially. It does sound like there's some other funding available, and I thank the Premier for making that more clear.

The last thing he mentioned was the THIF, I think, or the acronym for the innovation program that helps with medical travel. The Premier mentioned that it may have been disappearing. I assume that it is not and it is part of this deal. Can the Premier elaborate on that funding? How much is there? Has it increased from its previous level of funding and will it be there...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Premier about the new healthcare funding from Canada. The Premier was very public about his opposition to the deal as was presented by the federal government and a number of weeks later has signed on to the deal and spoke to the great benefits of it. So how did the deal change from when he initially opposed it to when he ultimately accepted it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the Tlicho All-Season Road that will connect the community of Whati with the greater Northwest Territories. This is an important initiative for the growth and development of our future here in the Northwest Territories, and shows that this government is capable of working in partnership with many levels of governments, including Indigenous governments who have made the choice to ask for this important strategic investment.

People are very excited about this road, I think, across the territory and the potential that it represents for our communities, for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hear a lot of excuses from the Minister. If he is not interested in this policy change, I wish he would be forthright about it. Has he talked to the judiciary in addition to the other two departments I have listed, and can he answer if the department has spoken to the RCMP, the judiciary, and to other GNWT departments? Have we had this discussion about this policy change, and is the Minister willing to make that move? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.