This is page numbers 30 - 77 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 6th 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 going.

Topics

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to address a question to the Minister responsible for Education. It deals with the subject I raised yesterday concerning the western Arctic leadership program. This issue is of concern to many of my constituents and that's the reason I raise it today, Madam Speaker, as well as yesterday. I believe in the budget, funds were approved for the western Arctic leadership program. Will the Minister confirm to this House whether the funds were at the same level as previous, in order to let the program continue?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Return To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The allocation for that particular program came out with the resident program and there's been no reduction. Generally speaking, the Department of Education has never reduced its actual commitment. There was a reduction that took place before by the Department of Social Services and not Education. We are maintaining our commitment to the particular program.

Return To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the Minister advise the House on how these funds will be distributed?

Supplementary To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just for the information of Members, the normal practice of distribution is determined through an agreement between the departmental Minister and the western Arctic leadership board. The funding for June has already been determined. The longer term solution is a matter that is now before Cabinet for consideration and discussion. That's generally what the practice is for distribution.

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Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your patience. I have one final question to the Minister. Many of my constituents support the principles of which I spoke yesterday and on which the program is based. They are not sure, however, if there is a process or criteria for the selection of applicants in place. I would like to know from the Minister if they have a criteria for the selection of qualified applicants?

Supplementary To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, just one point before I respond directly to the question. Nobody, including myself as Minister, disputes the argument about excellence in programs. I think what we need to do is to ensure that the programs are responding to the original intent of the program and, for that matter, the direction that has been given to me as Minister for initiatives the provide for excellent programming. Nobody disputes that.

On the matter of student selection, what I will do, Madam Speaker, is provide a copy of the selection criteria to the honourable Member immediately.

Further Return To Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
Question 42-12(6): Level Of Funding For Western Arctic Leadership Program
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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question should be directed to Mr. Todd, the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Tourism, but he's not here, so I will direct it to the Premier. This is with regard to one of my constituents, Mr. Joe Mercredi. He's the owner of the Mackenzie Times. His last paper was issued because of the financial hard times. I would just like to say that this is the last aboriginal paper in this part of the country. He's been operating for a number of years and he said in public, on radio and in the paper, that he's been having some problems and has to shut down. I would like to ask the Premier if this government is prepared to see if they can help Mr. Mercredi and his Mackenzie Times out, to see if it is still a viable business and if we can help him continue it? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I will take the question as notice and refer it to the Minister responsible so that he can deal with it, upon his return. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for Madam Premier. In the Kitikmeot region, the mayor of

Cambridge Bay has been requested by the GNWT's regional director to submit his views on the Kitikmeot Regional Council. It seems that the government is doing a review of the regional council. I would like to ask Madam Premier whether this is true or not, whether there is a review being undertaken of the Kitikmeot Regional Council or any other regional councils, for that matter? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, in terms of funding for regional councils, we are doing an overall review of the operation of the councils. As the Member knows, there was a comprehensive review because troubles arose in the Baffin and also in the South Slave area. Consequently, we are looking at how we fund all the regional councils, how they are doing and how their operations are going. Madam Speaker, it is not a negative review. It is just to see if we are providing the required support, what kind of work-load the regional councils have, and how things are going. It's an ongoing process, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

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Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask Madam Premier, then, in this review of the regional councils, is the government soliciting any of the views of the regional council members themselves? Are they having input in this review process? Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

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Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, my understanding is that over the last number of years, various regions have developed different approaches to deal with the issues of coordination of government programs and services in the regions. When the regional councils meet, the regional directors are present, some Ministers are present and a consultation takes place. Regional councils make suggestions on whether the support from government is adequate. We are dealing with regional councils on a continual basis, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
Question 44-12(6): Review Of Regional Councils
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask Madam Premier if there is consideration for funding cutbacks to regional councils or maybe even dissolution of some regional councils as a result of this review? Thank you.