This is page numbers 1109 - 1133 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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 chairman.

Topics

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take that question as notice. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I thank the Minister of MACA for appointing Don Sian to the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. I would also take this opportunity to thank Larry Gordon from Inuvik for letting his name stand and also congratulate Don Sian for accepting the appointment. I am sure he will represent the Northwest Territories honourably and knowledgeably.

My question for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Northwest Territories are allowed to have two members on the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. When and who will be the second appointee to this committee?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 498-12(7): Status Of Second Appointee To Awg International Committee
Question 498-12(7): Status Of Second Appointee To Awg International Committee
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I expect to recommend an appointment for the departmental official within a couple of weeks. Thank you.

Return To Question 498-12(7): Status Of Second Appointee To Awg International Committee
Question 498-12(7): Status Of Second Appointee To Awg International Committee
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, I think we're all aware of the tremendous potential for employment in the mining industry, and we're also aware that the mining industry has become very, very technical. In the past, people in the Northwest Territories haven't been able to take advantage of opportunities because they didn't have the proper training. Mr. Speaker, over the last year I've brought this point up a number of times just to make sure that we're ahead of the game this year. What progress have we made, Mr. Minister, in putting together a human resources skills inventory so we know exactly who is out there who is looking for jobs and what skills they have? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise the honourable Member that we have been working with the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in this particular area. Unfortunately, I don't have all the details. As soon as I receive them, I'll provide that information to the honourable Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. I hope we'll get the response while we're still sitting, and I appreciate that response from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, as a follow up, if the Minister could also inform this House if any training programs or education programs directly related to mining have been set up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

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Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say, just so the honourable Members are aware, that based on the information we have received previously from both the information gathering we had with BHP and as a result of the Izok Lake project, there was an identification of a number of the requirements for the industry. That was the basis for our initial analysis; therefore, it identified actual job opportunities that would be available. What we now need to do is clearly articulate a longer-term training component that would allow the government to respond to human resource development in the surrounding region and for northerners generally outside this particular area.

I just want to say to the honourable Member that we've done a number of these. Along with the Dogrib Nation, for instance, we have a community employment facilitator who is, in fact, doing the analysis for us and providing us with information. We are also working with Human Resources Development Canada and North Slave Economic Development and Tourism, and we are completing a plan to maximize the employment of northerners in mining, and the plan should be completed by the end of this June. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to hear that we've moving ahead in this area because it's very, very important. As a supplementary, Mr. Speaker, to do with the potential in diamond mining, is there anything specific that the Minister's department is doing in cooperation with companies who are right now in the process of exploring for diamonds in the Northwest Territories to provide training specifically for potential diamond mines? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

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Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't indicate to the honourable Member anything specific. What we're trying to do is ensure that there are the appropriate training opportunities for people in the mining industry. The diamond mining industry is in addition to that. The research, I think, will point to specific requirements that would be necessary in terms of skills and training that will allow individuals to participate in the diamond mining industry. The one thing that is clear is that we also want a skilled labour force that will be able to move from one industry to the other, so there has to be basic training and skills.

I understand and appreciate the comments made by the honourable Member, and certainly they will be part, I believe, of the consideration and the work that is being done with the assessment; particularly since it's being done in conjunction with the North Slave Economic Development and Tourism group. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his response. If I could ask the Minister specifically if he would ensure that his department, in cooperation with the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, will ensure that every step is taken to make sure our people are trained to take full advantage of potential diamond mines? If those mines go ahead, they're going to be coming on stream very quickly, and it would really be a shame if hundreds of miners had to come from the south. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

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Question 499-12(7): Human Resources Skills Inventory For Mining Sector
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise the honourable Member that we certainly, as a department, are working in conjunction with the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Whatever training initiatives we undertake, I hope it's with the recognition that it's not only a matter of responding purely to the diamond mining industry, but developing skills that will allow any individual to move from one industry to the other. I will take note of the honourable Member's concern, and ensure that that is a consideration in the assessment of the plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. What is the status of the review of the student financial assistance program?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 500-12(7): Status Of Student Financial Assistance Program Review
Question 500-12(7): Status Of Student Financial Assistance Program Review
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise the honourable Member that the tender has been issued through proposal call. In fact, today, Mr. Speaker, I wrote a letter to all Members of the Assembly to advise them of this and have given them further details and have advised them of the terms of reference of that particular review. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.