This is page numbers 25 - 46 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 2nd 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 services.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 16-14(2): Rae Edzo Municipal Funding Levels
Question 16-14(2): Rae Edzo Municipal Funding Levels
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am told that Municipal and Community Affairs currently takes into consideration the needs of the twin communities of Rae Edzo. I know that there are many municipal services that are duplicated and are required in both locations of Rae and Edzo. Certainly I will look at this issue. The honourable Member is asking me to make a commitment to look at it, and I will certainly do that. Thank you.

Return To Question 16-14(2): Rae Edzo Municipal Funding Levels
Question 16-14(2): Rae Edzo Municipal Funding Levels
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Antoine. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The Deh Cho Tribal Council has publicly stated that the aboriginal languages in their region is in a crisis situation.

The Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government have signed a cooperation agreement on languages. In this agreement, there will be $1.6 million allocated to the provision of French language services. The agreement further supplies $1.9 million for aboriginal languages.

The Deh Cho region has been allocated $250,000 of this money. Mr. Speaker, this amounts to $25,000 per community when you divide by the ten communities in the whole of the Deh Cho region. This is not enough money to preserve, promote or enhance our aboriginal languages.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister how the amounts of $1.9 million for aboriginal language activities and $1.6 million for French language activities were determined?

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Return To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the question. The funding is provided through a Canada-Northwest Territories Cooperative Agreement. It is a five-year agreement. It was signed on January 6, 2000. The five years is for a total of $17.5 million.

The Member is correct; it provided $1.9 million for aboriginal languages in the Territory and $1.6 million for French. The allocation of the French language is done according to a national requirement. That particular allocation is based on a formula done nationally.

In addition to the federal monies, the territorial government also has approximately $1.8 million for language programs in schools, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister inform the House as to whether or not there were any aboriginal people directly involved in the negotiations of this funding?

Supplementary To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The negotiations did take place and aboriginal people were involved in the negotiations. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Would the Minister inform the House which aboriginal people where involved in the negotiations?

Supplementary To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not have that information with me. I will have to get back to the Member with that information. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, languages are an integral part of the aboriginal cultures of the Northwest Territories. What does the Minister plan to do to preserve, enhance and promote aboriginal languages in the Northwest Territories?

Supplementary To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is true language is an extremely important part of the northern culture. There is a great deterioration of aboriginal language usage, which has been happening over the last 20 to 30 years. There is a need to address it very strongly. The territorial government is looking at an aboriginal language strategy. I believe some consultations have already taken place. Plans are for further discussions on this matter before the end of March. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Question 17-14(2): Aboriginal Languages Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is also for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The Minister is aware there was a Ministers' Forum on Student Financial Assistance that was previously tabled in the House. There were concerns raised by students about service delivery of student financial assistance.

Specifically, things like the late arrival of funding, inconsistent notification that funds had been deposited, more consistency in information and service provided, a need for customer service training for staff, improved accountability when errors were made by staff and the need to review staffing levels to ensure prompt service and no delays in processing applications and funding.

Out of this forum, there was a recommendation that a student advocate be considered to speak on behalf of students to bring their concerns forward to the department. Can the Minister tell me if he feels that this recommendation is a worthwhile one? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. The Honourable Jake Ootes.

Return To Question 18-14(2): Student Advocate Proposal
Question 18-14(2): Student Advocate Proposal
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Students have made presentations and have made the department aware of difficulties that were being faced within various matters; processing of cheques, late arrivals and so forth. The issue of a student advocate is being addressed and we are definitely looking at that. Thank you.

Return To Question 18-14(2): Student Advocate Proposal
Question 18-14(2): Student Advocate Proposal
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Supplementary To Question 18-14(2): Student Advocate Proposal
Question 18-14(2): Student Advocate Proposal
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 22nd, 2000

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So we can assume that the Minister is looking into it and will endeavour to see if we can set up a student advocate, if it is warranted, who would then provide independent advice on how to proceed with claims on behalf of students. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 18-14(2): Student Advocate Proposal
Question 18-14(2): Student Advocate Proposal
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. It sounded like you were asking for an opinion, but I wonder if the Minister would like to answer this. Mr. Ootes, you may answer if you choose.