Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, forest fire 2023 was a disaster for a lot of us, and it was a nightmare for many who lived through the ordeal. People from Behchoko and Edzo, even Hay River North and South, they experienced that as well. So, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you it could happen worse for Behchoko. By the grace of God, Behchoko was safe. You know, so we lost four housing and we lost 15 cabins on Highway 3. But Enterprise did not have the same experience. Forest fire almost wiped out the whole community. As a result, until this day, the residents are still suffering. They're affected...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation]

Yes, for recognition, I'd like to recognize my Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty.  He's here in the House.  I'm thankful for that.  And we also have other Tlicho members,  Louis Mackenzie, Julie Mackenzie are here in the audience.  And also Jonas Lafferty, Mary Rose Sundberg, interpreters, I'd like to thank them.  They've been interpreting for us throughout the session. 

I'd also like to recognize all these people who work for us in the House.  I am so thankful for them.  They've done a good job for us throughout the session.  It is the spring session. ...

Mahsi. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

[Translation] I'd like to -- I'd like to, but still what I'm going to be talking about of how the kids that are in school, the kids that are in school, what is it that we can -- how we can improve the education for the young people at this time. [Translation Ends].

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has jurisdiction over educating all students in the NWT. The GNWT must provide access to the same quality of education regardless of the location or size of their communities.

Mr. Speaker, we have an excellent student financial assistance program. It is...

Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I realize that the GNWT is more than $1 billion in debt, and we are at 96 percent of the debt limit. Yes, we are in fiscal restraint, and I commend the Cabinet for its effort to meet the needs of the people. The Cabinet has done its best to work with the people and especially our colleagues on this side too. I know not everyone is going to agree, but the Cabinet Ministers listen and work with us. That is a good thing. Not only that, but some of us Regular MLAs make budget requests and feel that our requests and proposals were listened to by the government...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to congratulate all of the students who are graduating from kindergarten to grade 12 in the Tlicho region. Graduation is a milestone achievement and a stepping-stone to new opportunities. I am proud of all the students for staying in school and putting in the hard work. Thank you to all the parents for supporting their children through school. And thank you to all the teachers and educators for their guidance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, this Bill will mostly improve access to education for non-Indigenous students. The role of the GNWT is to close the gap in education outcome. We know students in small communities need more support to succeed in post-secondary education. We need focus and attention on improving the education outcomes from students in small communities. They should remain the focus for the student finance assistance program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, thank you for that information. It's good to know so we can, you know, redirect them to that program.

Another one too is that here, so all this housing programs, it's a good program because I know a lot of like, we've been, you know, advocating for a lot of people and to apply for these programs. So I just wanted to ask all these programs that's in place, are they based on income threshold? Thank you.

Okay, well, that's good to know. $2.3 million to support four Tlicho communities. And especially in Behchoko, we have lots of houses that needs repair. I don't think this $2.3 million but, I mean, you know, divided by four communities, it's not enough. I don't think it's enough. So I just wanted to ask the Minister if there's any plans in the future to increase the funding for housing repair program for public units? Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, that's good to know. Another one, too, is that here, we're on page 384 maintenance. Okay, the budget went down from 20222023 to $13 million this fiscal year. So can the Minister tell us does this well, it's not lots, you know, but I just wanted to know if this supports all 33 communities?

Thank you. I want to ask the Premier what advice can the Premier provide former residential school survivors of Chief Jimmy Bruneau School; are there any options available to these people to receive recognition and compensation for their experience? Thank you.