In the Legislative Assembly on March 29th, 1999. See this topic in context.

Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 156

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, recently this government approved Sirius Diamonds for a training program. I am not sure if there were other items that were approved to assist them in their efforts to open a cutting and polishing facility here in Yellowknife. They had a diamond training course in Victoria and I have been led to believe that there was not one aboriginal selected on that course. I have a very, very difficult time understanding how this could be done when we are paying for that. I would like the Minister to indicate if what I am hearing is true, that there were no aboriginal people selected to go on this training course in Victoria?

Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 156

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 156

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sirius Diamonds is supported through a training on-the-job-program to provide training to people in the diamond industry. Although I do not have any figures with me in the House, Mr. Speaker, I believe, the Members is correct and there are no aboriginal trainees in the program at present. If I remember the situation correctly, Mr. Speaker, and if I am wrong I will make sure to correct this with the Member, I do not believe that Sirius had any program applicants who were aboriginal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 156

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 156

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, if that is the case, if there were no aboriginal people involved, then I do not think we can give serious consideration to any further ongoing financial commitment to these people. What I would like to know is do we have an ongoing financial commitment to Sirius Diamonds for further on-the-job-training, whether it is for these same people or for new people?

Supplementary To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 156

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the program will be ongoing for the existing trainees who are all northern residents. I believe a commitment has been made for a second intake, so the existing trainees will qualify for ongoing support and I do believe, Mr. Speaker, that there will be a second program offered.

Further Return To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has indicated that there would be a second intake. I am assuming he is meeting with the same Sirius Diamonds people. I would like to have a commitment from the Minister that a certain percentage of those training dollars should be allocated for aboriginal trainees because I do not think we should give one dime to these guys if they are not going to make a serious effort to ensure that the aboriginal people who comprise 50 percent or thereabouts of the western population, if they are not going to make a serious commitment to one half of the population in the western NWT, then why should we bother providing them with any money? We have all kinds of diamond companies lining up to open up their business here. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

March 28th, 1999

Page 157

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the commitment I will make is that the department will work with Sirius Diamonds and all other companies to ensure that we do get a representative workforce in the diamond industry in the Northwest Territories. We were hoping that with the second intake being planned for residents in Yellowknife, there will be a greater opportunity for us to encourage northern aboriginal people to apply.

It is also important to note that the courses offered by Aurora College are being taken advantage of by many aboriginal people. So, we are hoping that some of the graduates from the Aurora College course will find jobs in the secondary diamond industry with Sirius or any one of the other approved diamond projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly glad to hear that we are going to train only northerners. I do not think we want to be training someone that just jumped off the plane, has been here for one day and signs up, but what I would like to know is, can we make a commitment that a certain percentage of these people will be aboriginal northerners, since we do make up 48 percent or thereabouts of the population in the western NWT? It does not have to be that high, but can there be a commitment that at least a certain percentage of that money will be for northern aboriginal people? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will look at what sorts of limitations there might be on training-on-the-job programs and advise the Member.

Further Return To Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Question 53-13(7): Diamond Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.