Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I might not have had a third question but I just want to clarify on the record, in my case I'm not worried about board; I'm worried about boards as a territorial MLA and hence the issue to me is if it's reflective in Yellowknife, it could be reflective in every riding. So will she ensure that all ridings are  sorry, all education districts receive the same type of question and support? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

So exciting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't contain my excitement. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, my next set of questions is targeted to the  I shouldn't say targeted, but being offered ever so kindly to the Minister of education. And so during the campaign, a lot of the teachers complained about the BC curriculum coming in because the lack of foresighted training for  and prep for them. So in other words, they're being handed these packages of saying hey, now good luck, and they had to implement it. Mr. Speaker, what can the Minister of education do to help support these teachers who still haven't...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

Mr. Speaker, we're not really talking about a lot of students here. We're literally talking anywhere from 10 to 50 students who need to go beyond that $60,000 cap, Mr. Speaker. What's the Minister's apprehension, really, at the end of the day for expanding the cap? Because we know it's not a lot of students, and she would have the numbers of how many exact students would be attending. So what's her apprehension? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm excited to ask the next batch of questions to the Minister of education.

Under the Student Financial Assistance Act, section 10(3)(a), so that doesn't mean much to the public, but what it is is it specifically points out to the cap of SFA provided to Northerners attending postsecondary school, Mr. Speaker, which happens to be $60,000 in total. That's your total cap of what you can take.

So, Mr. Speaker, recognizing the costs and ever changing needs of Northerners seeking education and recognizing the fact that we want to support Northerners to get education and even...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

So, Mr. Speaker, what is the department doing in the sense of selling this as an opportunity other than saying pick us? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Goodness, that was the longest response, Mr. Speaker. But thank you for the detail, and I'm sure Northerners appreciate it.

Mr. Speaker, my last question is this: When consultation went out and asked people their thoughts on the health benefits, Mr. Speaker, it did not present a policy change. So people didn't know, I guess, in some ways what they were agreeing with or knowing what they were going to get. Mr. Speaker, therein lies part of the problem and there is the question, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to send the policy to the social development committee so they can have a...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Yes. Well, I don't want to take it on behalf of committee but I'm sure we won't refuse if they offer. The other thing on this section is can I get some breakdown as to further understanding as what the $1 million is targeted to? Now, I see it's attached to provide funding for businesses impacted by the 2023 fire. Can we get some breakdown, further elaboration as to how that's intended or directed? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, it's the opposite. The people wanted the expansion of the program, not reduction of the program. So therein lies the question, Mr. Speaker. How does the Minister of health explain such an aggressive policy that takes away coverage and forces Northerners to become copays in their own health care? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

I'll gladly accept that update. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm wondering if the Minister can elaborate it says, for example, $308,000. Can she elaborate to what specifically that is. I mean, I can read it says NWT film and media sector, but is it to is it treated as a grant? Is it treated as to backfill something? Is it a position? Is it that type of so we'll start with that. Thank you.