Debates of October 31, 2024 (day 36)

October
31
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
36
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 15: Northwest Territories Indigenous-Led Conservation Fund Establishment Act
Committee Motion 51-20(1): Concurrence of Tabled Document 193-20(1), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2025-2026, Carried
Member’s Statement 410-20(1): Women in Politics Event
Member’s Statement 411-20(1): Sahtu Winter Road Project Planning
Member’s Statement 412-20(1): Community Firefighter Training Funding
Member’s Statement 413-20(1): Project Cost Overrun
Member’s Statement 414-20(1): Cost of Living in Small Communities
Member’s Statement 415-20(1): Communication Issues regarding Localized Inflation of Liquor Costs
Member’s Statement 416-20(1): Mezi Community School in Whati
Member’s Statement 417-20(1): Public Housing and Barriers towards Increasing Homeownership
Member’s Statement 419-20(1): Ode to Cabinet at Hallowe’en
Member’s Statement 420-20(1): Carole Berman’s Donation
Minister’s Statement 81-20(1): A Way Home: Government of the Northwest Territories Homelessness Strategy
Minister’s Statement 82-20(1): General Rate Application
Minister’s Statement 83-20(1): 2024 Canada 55+ Games
Motion 44-20(1): Performance Audit of the Management and Governance of the NTHSSA, Carried
Question 399-20(1): Diagnostic Rates for Autism
Question 400-20(1): Localized Increased Liquor Prices for Inuvik
Question 401-20(1): Cost of Firefighter Training for Northwest Territories
Question 402-20(1): Capacity Issues at Mezi School in Whati
Question 403-20(1): Municipal and Community Affairs Community Engagement regarding Funding
Question 404-20(1): Draft Climate Change Action Plan
Question 405-20(1): Winter Road Season Planning
Question 406-20(1): Yellowknife Homelessness Planning and Engagement
Question 407-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Project Cost Overruns
Question 408-20(1): Housing Arrears Forgiveness and Repairs for Indigenous Communities
Question 409-20(1): Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Question 410-20(1): Climate Change Draft Action Plans
Question 411-20(1): Planning for Northwest Territories Power Grid
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 220-20(1): Territorial Police Service Agreement – RCMP Annual Report (2023-2024)
Tabled Document 222-20(1): Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation Annual Report 2023-24
Tabled Document 224-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 15: Northwest Territories Indigenous-Led Conservation Fund Establishment Act
Written Question 9-20(1): Staffing of Doctor and Specialist Positions within the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Statements

Question 402-20(1): Capacity Issues at Mezi School in Whati

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us what is the current demand versus the capacity of the Mezi School? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the capacity of Mezi School is 170, and the current student head count is 142 students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Thank you for that information. So, Mr. Speaker, are projections for the demand for classroom space tracked by the department?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we look at how many students are in all grades. We have enrolment figures that come in from education bodies every year, and we also track that compared to the capacity of each school across the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister commit to looking at the condition of the Mezi School in Whati?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was very happy to accept an invitation from the Member to the community, to come see the school, when it works for community leadership, and I very much look forward to that. I can also confirm for the Member that there are currently six small capital projects in the 20-year capital plan for this particular school that will be completed between 2025 and 2030. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Final supplementary. Member from Monfwi.

Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister commit to ensuring the school receives the retrofitting that it requires? Thank you?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I committed, there are currently six small capital projects on the books for this school that will be completed between 2025 and 2030. And in addition to that, I can also confirm for the Member that there are currently planning funding approved in addition to the two that we're looking at in capital estimates right now, but for four additional schools in the territory. And those four that are getting large capital planning right now are Deninu School in Fort Resolution, Moose Kerr School in Aklavik, Alexis Arrowmaker School in Wekweeti, and MJ McPherson school here in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Mackenzie Delta.