Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I talked about the serious issues of low employment in the smaller communities and the need to address this issue. I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Recognizing that this is a government-wide issue, does the Minister agree that addressing the low employment rates in the small communities is the responsibility of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I do agree that ECE plays a role in addressing low employment rates across the Northwest Territories, but we have to keep in mind that we cannot do it alone as the GNWT. There have to be other partners, aboriginal partners, municipalities, and also industries in the communities and also individuals. So those are our partners that we continue to work with. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, I feel that this government should play a lead role. Can the Minister commit to developing a plan that addresses the issue of low employment rates in the smaller communities before the end of this government? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, we currently provide, through ECE, a number of programs into the smaller communities, the isolated communities, so they can participate in the labour market in the Northwest Territories. We also are currently working on the Labour Market Development Framework that also involves consultation with the communities. This framework will help us to adapt to the new emergent economic and labour force challenges and opportunities. What the Member is referring to will be addressed in the framework itself, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, speaking in the short-term context, will the Minister commit to a comprehensive summer student program for this coming summer for rural and remote communities? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, at the ECE department we’ve launched a new program this fiscal year called Small Community Employment Support Program, and it has been very, very successful to date, Mr. Speaker. As of September 2010, a total of $223,400 was given to 27 employers, and 98 youth in 19 small and remote communities were hired. This program will be delivered on an ongoing basis and it has been beneficial to date. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Your final supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we all know, low employment rates is a serious issue in small communities, a longstanding issue in the small communities. For some certainty, I would like to know if this Minister can commit to taking a lead with all these plans and strategies that are in place and providing information to this House as to the progress of those plans and strategies. Thank you.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, yes. ECE is already in the process of, again, developing the Labour Market Development Framework. That is the comprehensive work that we’ve been engaged in, and I encourage the Member to provide feedback. We will also provide feedback to the Member on our consultations with the stakeholders.
I would like to thank the Member and also the Members for their valuable contributions towards this important document and will continue to have ongoing discussion with the stakeholders.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
