R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One thing I have heard from some of my constituents is that they find ECE to be a topheavy department, and I was wondering, when you're looking at these reduction exercises, how exactly are they done? Who is it that decides what gets cut, who gets cut? Is it upper management looking down into the department? Because I know that universally accepted best practices for internal audits are you get someone from the outside or you get someone on the inside who is independent, who can talk to anyone, who can report to anyone. Is this someone from the outside looking in the way...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's a Canada-NWT cooperation agreement, so is there money coming from both governments that goes into that pot, or is that just the federal contribution? Is that just the territorial contribution?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just see there's a Canada-NWT cooperation agreement. I see there's some numbers there and I was wondering: is that for the funding for the French first-language schools?

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Would the Minister please introduce his witnesses?

We will now consider Tabled Document 50-18(2), Main Estimates, 2016-2017, and we have agreed to consider Education, Culture and Employment. I'll turn to the Minister responsible for the department for any opening comments he might have. Minister Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally, I would just like to ask who in the department is working within Hay River to develop a plan for homelessness, to address homelessness in Hay River. I'd like to be of any assistance I can. I'd like to offer that to the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I understand that Yellowknife is almost a magnet community for homelessness, so I understand there is a great need here. Could the Minister elaborate on the $750,000 thirdparty social housing, the money going to social housing, thirdparty social housing providers? Who are these providers and what type of social housing are they providing, and is there any of that in Hay River?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to speak briefly about the resignation of our fellow Northerner, Hunter Tootoo, from his position as the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and his decision to seek help for substance abuse issues. I do not know all the circumstances surrounding his resignation, and likely, only the people closest to him do. I do know that this decision must have been one of the most difficult of his life. He knew there would be extensive media coverage, that it would be discussed on every channel, in every newspaper, and in thousands and thousands of private...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Human Resources, are they in contact with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority regarding summer students? Is there any sort of encouragement to hire summer students? Thank you, Mr. Chair.