Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was listening to one of the Members talk about a Small Community Employment Program. I have questions for the Minister of Education on that. Can the Minister tell the House today what the purpose of the Small Community Employment Program is? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That focus is to create employment in our small communities across the Northwest Territories, as well as work on developing training opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise why the decision was made to go beyond the small communities with this program?
As you know, on April 1, 2017, there were significant enhancements to that program, with an influx of an extra $3 million. We made some changes to the program; part of that was actually looking at communities that weren't eligible before, and I'll say it again, these communities that were ineligible to apply for funding were Behchoko, Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, and Norman Wells.
As Members of this House do know, we have seen a downturn in the economy, and I think this is an opportunity to work with other communities that weren't eligible for this fund previously to offer those types of employment opportunities, as well offer some type of training for organizations and/or residents who might have lost jobs because of the downtown in the economy. I think it's a great step moving forward to ensure the training and employment is there in all of our communities.
Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware of what the distribution of employment rates is across the NWT's small communities, regional centres, and Yellowknife?
Yes, I do. As I mentioned, the economy has taken a downturn; we do have more unemployed people in some of the communities, and I want to make sure that we focus on giving them every opportunity to get employment as well as develop their training and their skills.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a small community employment program was put in place because we have communities with employment rates below 50 per cent, below 40 per cent, some below 30 per cent, those are small communities. The communities that were added are communities that have employment rates at 60 and 70 per cent. We're trying to address employment where employment is needed most.
Why did the Minister not advise us in committee on the change that they're expanding the Small Community Employment Program, which was designed and put in place to increase employment in small communities where it's needed most? Expanding it into communities where employment rates are high, why did the Minister not advise us of that move?
As I mentioned, on April 1, 2017, we did get a significant increase in that funding, and prior years the funding that we did have in place wasn't fully utilized. With this increased funding I thought it would be a great opportunity to reach out to more communities to offer that type of training, skill development, as well as increase employment in our other communities that have seen an economic downturn as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
