Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, just to follow up on my earlier questions. The response I got was not satisfactory to me, and I'm sure it is not satisfactory to teachers. After they share a house, four at a time, or sleeping on the floor of the health centre or staying in churches, now we hear that there has been a study done. The Minister is saying, okay, we will look at the study and see what we can do. I would like to know if he will commit to providing this Legislative Assembly with a plan by the June session that will address the housing needs of teachers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
In the Legislative Assembly on February 26th, 2003. See this topic in context.
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
February 25th, 2003
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the issue of housing, the government got out of the housing policy several years ago. The work that is being undertaken in these studies will look at a number of things, one of which is housing and some of the turnover issues that we have. With respect to the Member's question, I can't commit to that because it is a government issue and it requires FMBS and I can't speak for all the other government departments that have responsibly in this area, Mr. Speaker. We know that we want to be sensitive to the teachers, that is certainly true. We certainly also need to be aware of the problems that are out there, one of which, as I say, is housing. There may be other particular reasons for turnover. Thank you.
Return To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly we've known the government to have made mistakes in the past. I believe getting out of housing is one of those mistakes. Teachers are new to our communities, but teachers are quitting at an alarming rate, costing this government and taxpayers a lot of dollars on advertising and recruitment, and he is saying he can't make a commitment because he's not government. He is government. He is a Minister of this government, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister for a commitment that he will look at the housing needs of teachers and he will come back to this House with something, whether we like it or not, as long as it is something. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said, this is a question that is not within my control. Mr. Speaker, naturally, as a Cabinet Member, I can bring issues forward. I have spoken about this issue before, but it is an overall government policy to be out of the housing business, and that involves a number of government departments. I am very sensitive to the needs of our teachers and will continue to be. This is an issue that I do discuss from time to time with various officials.
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Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can I get a commitment from the Minister that he will consult and talk with his Cabinet colleagues to form a government position on this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will continue my discussions with various officials and our own officials and the FMBS and FMB, as well as the Housing Corporation. There are a number of agencies involved in housing in communities for teachers and it's a challenging problem, Mr. Speaker, and we are well aware of that. We will certainly continue to do our best in this area.
Further Return To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He is committed to discuss this with his Cabinet colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we have to take the value. When we say our children are our greatest resources, what do we mean by that, Mr. Speaker? If he is worried about the bottom line, and that is what the government is worried about in getting out of housing, then I have a deep worry. My concern is graduation rates, educating our students and we need teachers to do so. Now that he is committed to talking with his Cabinet colleagues, I am not too sure I am crazy about him talking to the officials, but as long as he talks to his Cabinet colleagues, can I get a commitment that he will come back to this House with something in June? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Item 6: Oral Questions
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of housing isn't just an education one. It involves other departments: RWED, Health and Social Services and officials in the communities. We recognize that we have a problem with turnover and we are analyzing the reasons for that. I committed to talk to my officials and my Cabinet colleagues about it and I have done that. Mr. Speaker, we have a government policy that enters into this, so I have to take that into consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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