Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When I was interviewed, part of the interview process was about the Social Work Program and the Teacher Education Program. Through the foundational review, one of the questions was in regards to that.

I guess I am a little concerned. The foundational review has this broad picture, and then the program review has a narrow picture. Is the Minister saying that the foundational review is the one that we are going to move forward with, or is it just saying that the foundational review will not be used when it comes to the social work and the TEP program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Minister, and I don't take any offence at it, because I'm good trying to find things in here. So I greatly appreciate it, and I appreciate that information. So I guess we're going through a process here, and I'm just trying to understand: we've already put money into the system, correct? So are we going to see the plan at some point in time, after the consultation during this fiscal year? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess this still concerns me, that we're expecting three to support Yellowknife, Sahtu, and Deh Cho, which is probably about two thirds of the school population in that area, and then we have three in the North. It does concern me there, but I guess it comes down to the simple fact that we need these positions and in the regions. I still have not bought into these teams of three. We're going to have costs. We're going to have more costs to get from here to the South Slave, from here to the Deh Cho. You know, there's going to be cost to it; and the Tlicho; I forgot all...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I realize it was kind of a unique crossover with Finance, and I appreciate the Minister working with the Minister of Finance to get this information out there. With the challenges of no alternative fuels in the short term, how will the government mediate cost-of-living increases being imposed on residents by this carbon tax? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister confirm that we have guidance counsellors positions in Fort Providence, Fort Liard, and Fort Simpson presently? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to thank the Minister for that answer. I greatly appreciate they are potentially looking at that. My next question is: what actions has the government taken to help Nahendeh communities reduce diesel usage, especially for the smaller communities?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand being reflective of the territory. I guess I'm a little bit concerned that Beau-Del and the Sahtu are getting three. Yellowknife, Deh Cho, South Slave are only getting three, as well. Yellowknife could actually probably have one or two strictly by themselves. Can the Minister or the department explain why we haven't looked at what is collectively good for the territories and put one in each region? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has committed to implement a carbon pricing system this year. It is great that we are making headway by taking accountability for our contribution to the greenhouse gases, and a carbon tax is necessary for reducing our carbon footprint, but at the same time we want to improve residents' quality of life and not make their lives harder.

In my riding, propane and diesel are the main fuel sources used for heating, though many also try to use wood and pellet stoves to reduce costs. Most electricity is produced through diesel. This means that, in my...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I think what I heard was that it wasn't fully utilized this way, so now we are actually implementing these new changes to fully utilize this budget line; and if that's correct, the Minister can just say "yes" and that would be my last question for the day on this item. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I guess I'm going to have to try this a different way. I'm not arguing about your Student Financial Assistance program; it's probably the best in the world, and I'll give you that. I totally agree with you on that. The biggest challenge in the small communities is for students to access or get employment; we can't do it. In the smaller communities there is sometimes job-sharing with two people and they only work four hours a day and they work for two weeks and they get off a week. So that's where I'm coming across, is that...