Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not too sure how much more I can add to Mr. Bromley’s statement. I think he said it very well. It gave us all the information that we need to go ahead and make a decision on this.
Being new to the government, it is just something that I assumed that this government was working on and taking care of, and to be in here now and make these changes and be part of it, I am very honoured to help work on taking this initiative through.
Early childhood zero to three years old, Mr. Bromley hit it right on the head with the brain and biological developments, the language, the cognitive and social developments within that time frame which is very important. It allows our youth to have a chance to live a healthy lifestyle as they grow up to be prepared for when they go into the school system, a school system where we don’t always see the positive impacts that come from this.
Positively with the early childhood development investment that this government goes to, we can positively impact the low language and speaking levels we have in K to 3 right now. We can positively impact the inclusive schooling and the amount of dollars that this government spends on inclusive schooling. We can positively impact our graduation rates so students, when they get into the school system, are ready to learn, they have all the tools ready to take that on and be successful. Not only with the students but we are also looking at families and communities.
Just coming from the motion here, I just want to restate this. A recent World Bank report concluded that no other development investment hosts a higher pay-off for people and for economies than early childhood development. That alone should tell us that we should be putting some of our dollars into early childhood development which will impact our territory, our economy, our communities, our families and give our kids a chance to grow up successfully.
With that said, I will allow for other Members to speak to the motion. I thank everyone’s comments today with their Member’s statements. At the end of this motion, I will be asking for a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The Member is seeking a recorded vote. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour, please stand.
Mr. Moses, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Yakeleya, Mr. Bouchard, Mr. Blake, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Dolynny, Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Menicoche.
All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand.
Mr. Abernethy, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. McLeod - Yellowknife South, Mr. Lafferty, Mr. Ramsay, Mr. McLeod - Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, colleagues. All those in favour, 11; all those opposed, zero; abstentions, six. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Motion 3-17(3), Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d prefer to bring that motion forward tomorrow, with your permission. Thank you.
