Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, obviously my questions are to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and I’m following up on the question and answers we had previously. I have to say obviously the Minister was not listening to some of the questions that I have been posing, because I don’t think at any time did I ever claim to be an expert on this issue. In fact, Madam Speaker, I think that’s the beauty of our office in that it is our privilege to be generalists. It is our duty also to ask the experts for information in making decisions. I’m asking the Minister to have enough humility to go and ask the experts, who should know better. I would like to know, because I don’t think the Minister provided the answer, would the Minister ask his senior officials to go and talk to the educators in our city to find out what sort of services they have been getting, and then get the senior officials to talk to the people in Hay River to see what they have and what more they might need? Is that not a reasonable question, and I’m not claiming to be an expert. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 66-15(4): Consulting On The Territorial Treatment Centre Education Program

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, if the program is moved to Hay River, which is at this point a proposal, it has to go through the business planning process. If the program is moved, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will work with the DEC and the DEA to make sure that the same level of support is provided by the department in whatever community the program moves to as is provided in Yellowknife. So we will make sure that the expert assistance that is required through the educational system is available wherever this program is offered. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 66-15(4): Consulting On The Territorial Treatment Centre Education Program

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. How can the Minister say that when he does not know what the requirements are, or does he? Yes or no.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Minister Dent.

Further Return To Question 66-15(4): Consulting On The Territorial Treatment Centre Education Program

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, I know that the Department of Education provides one teacher for the program and that the kids in the program work with the staff at the centre as well as the teacher to integrate back into the school system. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 66-15(4): Consulting On The Territorial Treatment Centre Education Program

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I’m afraid the Minister keeps displaying his lack of information and knowledge about this issue. I have to tell you that I’m told that there are at least two teachers employed with YK No. 2 who are involved with the centre, who directly are involved in teaching these kids. There are other people involved in this program. They are placed in all seven schools in the city. There are other people involved in educating these kids. So how can he just say, or is that proper budgeting process to say we’re going to do this? I don’t know what the details are, but whatever it is we’re going to match the service of Yellowknife to Hay River when he doesn’t know what’s out there. How can he say that? This is not responsible.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Minister Dent.

Further Return To Question 66-15(4): Consulting On The Territorial Treatment Centre Education Program

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am confident that we can support the same sort of program that we support now through Education, Culture and Employment in any community. As I said, for the students at the centre right now, Education, Culture and Employment funds one teacher. As well, the children are encouraged to get back into the regular school system. So obviously as they work into the school system they are going to be working with the teachers in the community, and that’s going to happen no matter where the program is offered. So what the department will do is make sure that if the program is moved, and there’s lots of lead time, Madam Speaker, we’ll make sure that those discussions that need to take place with whichever organization is charged with providing that support happens on a timely basis and that preparations are adequately made. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Dent. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 66-15(4): Consulting On The Territorial Treatment Centre Education Program

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It’s actually appalling that the Cabinet throws a bomb into this institution. In two years we’re moving this and that’s that, and we’re trying to get information. If anybody hasn’t gotten the point, my point is that all these questions we are asking and the answers to them are the most minimum information that the Cabinet should have had in making this decision. I think reasonable person would agree with that. I’d like to ask the Minister once again, not going by if and when and I’m confident and all that hullabaloo, could the Minister just ask his senior officials to ask the experts in the teaching field what the programs are? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Minister Dent.

Further Return To Question 66-15(4): Consulting On The Territorial Treatment Centre Education Program

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will have the experts within our system work with the people wherever the program is offered to make sure that that assistance, whatever it is that is required that we normally offer, is provided; that the same thing that we’re doing here will be offered wherever the program is.