R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So we don't have the capacity to engage in, you know, the very intensive process of developing MOUs while we are also working on phase 1. So once this phase 1 work is completed sometime in the new year, we will begin working on the MOUs for phase 2. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, as employment levels reach historic heights, tight labour markets are being experienced across the Northwest Territories and Canada. To address labour shortages, the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to strengthen our northern workforce through legislation, funding programs, academic and technical supports, and enhanced programs and policies.

Madam Speaker, Skills 4 Success is the GNWT’s overarching labour market framework. Its purpose is to improve employment success for NWT residents, close skill gaps for indemand jobs, and more effectively respond to employer...

Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 63, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Official Languages Act to update the preamble to

Recognize the legacy of colonialism on Indigenous languages in the Northwest Territories and reaffirm the commitment of the government to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

Clarify and strengthen the role of the Languages Commissioner;

Merge the Official Languages Board and Aboriginal Languages Revitalization...

Madam Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 68, An Act to Amend the Child Daycare Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So when we went out and engaged on the Education Act, we did reach out to everyone. Students were encouraged to participate. If anyone wants to each out to me directly, any students want to write emails, even have meetings, I'm happy to do that. I'm also we're also creating the Minister's Student Advisory Council. And so I'll have engagement through that. But if any students want to provide input on education, the education system, curriculum, anything, I would be happy to hear it. I would be more than happy to hear it; I encourage it. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So as I've said, we haven't started on those so I can't answer the question. These MOUs don't currently exist. At some point in the new year, in 2023, I will have an answer. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish. Unfortunately, there's likely going to be at least one or two or three more time changes. Of course, we've recently engaged with the public. There was a sixweek engagement session. Within the first couple days, there were thousands of responses, and 3,500 about 3,500 responses to the question of "do you want to get rid of seasonal time change?" And 87 percent, so over 3,000 of those 3,500 people, wanted to get rid of seasonal time change.

When it comes to sticking with daylight savings, or standard time, the territory's a bit more split. Just over half wanted...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So first, I'd like to correct a few of the statements that the Member made in her recordsetting five and a half minute Member's statement today.

She stated the Education Act had not changed in 30 years. It was changed last year, unanimously by this House; changes to the Education Act were approved. We changed in 2017, 2014, 2013, 2006, 2005, and so on. And so this is not some unprecedented change that's happening. There are always amendments to the Education Act as are required by operational realities.

She stated that Indigenous governments have been provided no...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. No, the wage topup was primarily driven by the federal government and we are not considering that. We are trying to get people out of poverty through employment programs, through education. And I will say that we do actually have a number of labour programs, some of which provide wage topups. So we are doing a bit of what the Member is talking about but we are not looking at rolling out the large scale program similar to the ones the federal government funded in the last couple years. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So a living wage reflects what an earner or earners would need to bring home to pay the bills in any given community. The minimum wage is the lowest possible wage that you can pay someone, and its purpose is to protect vulnerable workers. So they're two different things. So our minimum wage, it's similar to minimum wages across Canada. It's on the higher end. And the changes that we are making or that we have made would put us on an even playing field with the rest of Canada. And I will note that given the climate in the Northwest Territories, the employment climate...