Debates of June 6, 2006 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent. Back in February, I brought up the issue of the inequities that exist between day cares that are operating out of government-owned facilities and those who have to pay their own way. In terms of operating costs, it is an $80,000 to $90,000 per year advantage. I would like to ask the Minister today what exactly that he and his department have done since February when this issue was brought up to address the inequities? What have they done to address the issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Return To Question 63-15(5): Inequities In Day Care Support

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When this issue was first raised and the government was challenged to do a review of all charity leases, that was undertaken by Public Works. The information was brought to Cabinet. At that point, Cabinet decided that we should have a look and have a consistent approach across government for our charity leases. That work is underway and is expected to be completed later this summer. It will be considered at that point by Cabinet, so it is not one department doing one thing and another department doing another. We intend to look and see if there is a consistent approach that all departments can take.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 63-15(5): Inequities In Day Care Support

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that was four months ago. By the sounds of the Minister’s response, it is going to be another three or four months until they get some kind of determination on charity leases and what a level playing field might look like. Mr. Speaker, the inaction of the government to level the playing field may indeed cause the closing of more day cares here in Yellowknife. I know the Minister was listening when I spoke of the hundred or so children that are on waitlists currently in Yellowknife awaiting space in day cares. I would like to ask the Minister this: Aside from writing a letter to the honourable Diane Finley with his counterparts in Nunavut and the Yukon, what are his plans for getting more day care spaces in Yellowknife? Exactly what are the plans in that area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 63-15(5): Inequities In Day Care Support

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are hoping, through the business planning process, to be able to build on the federal government’s addition of $100 monthly to all parents with children under the age of six by increasing the user subsidies in the next business planning process. That should then allow day cares to increase their charges to parents. That should help to alleviate the problems that day cares may face with funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 63-15(5): Inequities In Day Care Support

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister, is there any additional federal dollars that will be coming to the Northwest Territories in the immediate future to address day care issues? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 63-15(5): Inequities In Day Care Support

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There will be a number of federal dollars coming starting July 1st. Families with children under six will start to receive $100 a month for each child. So, arguably, that is federal money that is coming to the North. That money could easily be used by parents to help resolve financial issues at their day cares. I would expect that day cares would increase their rates to take advantage of the fact that that money is now available to parents. As I said, through the business planning process we’re hoping to be able to increase user subsidies and provide additional funding that way to parents who are looking for day cares, and then that should, again, provide for opportunities for day cares to find money through user fees.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 63-15(5): Inequities In Day Care Support

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister, are there any federal dollars, substantial federal dollars -- and I’m talking in the hundreds of thousands of dollars -- that are going to be coming to this government in the near future? I’m not talking about the $100 a month to help families offset day care costs; I’m talking about contributions from the federal government, former commitments or new commitments, whatever the case may be. Is there new money coming? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 63-15(5): Inequities In Day Care Support

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In one of the supplementary bills that will be shortly before this House there will be some money from the previous commitments made by the former government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.