This is page numbers 789 - 820 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was social.

Topics

Return To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 790

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. At this time, no. I believe that each particular case can be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. I would be very careful about suggesting the promotion of a policy that would somehow challenge the development of a northern secondary school program and policy and put at risk the development of an educational program that would be under-utilized by parents who would be taking the choice of sending their children to southern Canada. I would be very careful with that. I think the honourable Member knows I took the issue he has raised to Cabinet and we dealt with it reasonably and fairly. I would rather deal with it in that context, than have an overall policy that would see our students being sent to southern Canada.

Return To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 790

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Since the Minister is not willing to develop a policy to address those students who are attending school outside the Northwest Territories, is the government's priority to get our kids the best education that they possibly can? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes. Yes, in the context of building an educational system in the north that meets the qualifications and quality of education that will be acceptable throughout Canada.

Further Return To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So if the kids who are attending school in the Northwest Territories are not able to take courses they are interested in because they are not offered in the Northwest Territories, could the Minister look at possible assistance to parents for those students? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will certainly consider the suggestion that is being made by the honourable Member, but I hope it is within the context of this government and this Assembly supporting the development of a quality program and service in the area of education in the Northwest Territories.

Further Return To Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Question 350-12(5): Development Of Policy For Students Attending Southern High Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Premier and it is regarding an announcement made today about an agreement signed between the province of News Brunswick, Premier McKenna, and the federal government, the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, about an innovative new program to put people to work. I understand that 1,000 people have been put to work in New Brunswick. There is a guaranteed income for those people. In return, they agree to work. Anything extra they make they are allowed to keep. My understanding is there is $800 million available for these sorts of programs across the country. I know our government is working on some concepts, but I wonder if the Premier can enlighten me as to when we can expect to sign an agreement with the federal government to take advantage of this $800 million?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment is handling this particular area in the government and I would defer the question to the honourable Member.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am pleased that the honourable Member was paying attention to the announcement that was made. We are working out the criteria to which we will access the $800 million. The program that has been agreed to by the province of New Brunswick is in addition to the $800 million, and our investing in people will address those same issues that the New Brunswick/Canada agreement is now responding to.

Return To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is good that I know which Minister to address that to because there was some coordination with the Minister of Social Services and the Minister of Education. Up until now, we have heard the very broad, general concept of the sort of approach the government is going to take. I wonder if the Minister could give us a bit more specific detail as to the specific type of projects that you are now discussing with the federal government. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am trying to find the exact details. We are attempting to lay out the criteria by which all jurisdictions will have access to the $800 million the honourable Member mentioned. What has normally happened, historically, is that each jurisdiction has negotiated on an individual basis with the federal government on federal financial resources. It was our concern across the country, both in terms of the Ministers of Education, Labour Market Ministers and post-secondary Ministers, that we did not want a situation where political favours were being paid to particular provinces. Rather than doing that, we wanted to establish criteria by which all jurisdictions were treated equally and fairly in the distribution of the $800 million. We will come to a conclusion on that by the third week in April.

Further Return To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 791

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 792

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. It seems to me that in the Northwest Territories where the traditional life-style, because of the attacks by the anti-fur industry, is not providing enough sustenance to maintain people. It seems to me that there is a tremendous opportunity here in the Northwest Territories to make a case to the federal government that can provide some sort of a combination of the traditional pursuits and the wage economy, I think we could probably provide a very interesting model here. I wonder if the Minister is looking at that sort of an innovative approach to take advantage of our unique situation here in the Northwest Territories.

Supplementary To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 792

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 792

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, that is exactly what we're doing. I'm working in conjunction with my colleague, the Honourable Rebecca Mike, and Cabinet has given us approval to discuss those various options. The investing in people does take into consideration that particular situation. We are also considering the proposal to be brought forward to the federal government and, in fact, I've submitted a number of proposals that have been approved by the Edmonton office and have been submitted to the federal Minister for his signature. That is being taken into consideration.

Further Return To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 792

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Question 351-12(5): Status Of Federal/territorial Agreement Re Employment Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 792

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Final supplementary, Madam Speaker. Again, I thank the Minister for that. When can we expect, from the Minister, the actual specific details of some sort of an arrangement that could be worked out with the federal government on this matter?