Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

For those residents living in smaller communities, Mr. Speaker, these initiatives have minimal impact on the daily grind of managing the high costs that come with living in smaller communities. So I ask once again: how will the government support individuals and families to minimize these impacts? In the Budget Address, reducing the cost of living was one of the five strategic initiatives. These initiatives were developed by all 19 MLAs, with mandates from their constituents. Later, I will have questions for the Premier.

Thank you, Mr.

Beaulieu. The

honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

[English translation not provided].

Mr. Speaker, I would like to state that I am pleased the government has reinstated the regional senior recreation coordinator position. The services that recreation staff provide are very important to my constituents, as we have seen through the numerous petitions, letters and media reports.

The regional sports and recreation office in Deh Cho has one more valuable member of its team that was identified as part of the cuts and has yet to be reinstated. This is a youth worker position. This position is unique to my region and provides much-needed support to community recreation and sports programs in the ten communities in my riding. Deleting this position would be a step backward and leave a big gap in service for the youth of the region. I ask that the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs reconsider the decision to eliminate the youth worker position in Deh Cho riding.

Mr. Speaker, good recreation and sports programs focus on the strength of the youth, help build confidence and self-esteem, and support healthy choices, which are key priorities for youth identified by this 16th Assembly. In order for us to get there,

we need to enhance youth sports and recreation services in the community, not reduce them. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Hon. Premier, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Speaker, I want as well to follow along with my colleagues from the Inuvialuit region and my colleague from Mackenzie Delta in recognizing Inuvialuit Day here in the Northwest Territories. We’ve heard lots of discussion about the claim process. In 1984 the idea was to start bringing authority to the rightful people — the jurisdiction and the land. This agreement has done that and shown time and time again the fact that when you bring authority to the North and to the people, things can get done and they can move on with many decisions. Much like that, we talk about the North and the development of the North. When we get this kind of settlement done, a conclusion brought to the table, we can start building and moving on, much like the Inuvialuit have.

Mr. Speaker, there have been past statements I’ve made in this House as a Member, and I talked about how one day we were the haulers and the cutters of wood and now we are business owners and involved in that. So I just want, again, to recognize, along with my colleagues, that today is Inuvialuit Day, and the fact that, as we’ve talked about getting authority in the North.... When you look at the settled claims, they’re an example of that progressiveness by aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories. We will look forward to continuing to build on those types of initiatives.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize one of my leaders in Mackenzie Delta, Charlie Furlong, Chief of Aklavik. Charlie’s one of my mentors; I think we got involved in politics in 1984 with the formation of the Mackenzie Delta Regional Council back then. It was my first step into politics, where I was the vice-president and Charlie was the president. We’re talking about going back 24 years; that’s quite a while ago. Charlie is on the campaign trail, as we all know. I wish Charlie all the best on the trail. Best of luck and thanks again, Charlie.

I’d like to recognize some visitors to Yellowknife. They’re here for the Matco barbecue

to celebrate 20 years of the company

being here in Yellowknife. No stranger to many of us here, I’d like to recognize the president, Mr. Ray Anderson. Joining him today is Mr. Lorne Stockley,

vice-president of government services for United Van Lines, based in Mississauga, Ontario; his wife as well is with him, Shirley Stockley. As well, Mr. Ed Keelaghan, sales manager of Matco

— I hope I got

that last name right — and Ms. Jenine Cerny, marketing coordinator for the company.

As well, I’d like to welcome Chief Charlie Furlong.

I’d like to recognize a very successful businesswoman and one of the best constituency assistants in the business, Ms. Denise Yuhas.

I, too, would like to recognize Mr. Ray Anderson of

Matco

Transportation and the

folks from United Van Lines who are here with us this afternoon. Ray is a former business mentor of mine — a fine, upstanding business person located in Kam Lake Industrial Park. As well, Mr. Anderson is a big supporter of the Kam Lake bypass, so I’m glad to see him here today.

I’d also like to recognize Chief Charlie Furlong, whom I’ve had the opportunity to work with during the days of the Dene Nation and Métis Nation joint leadership. He is now a candidate for the Gwich`in opposition.

I’d also like to recognize Ray Anderson and thank him for joining us. I’m sorry we couldn’t make your barbeque.

I’d also like to recognize Ray Anderson, who has the operation in the Sahtu region. Congratulations on your 20th anniversary.

I also recognize the Chief of Aklavik Dene Band, Mr. Charlie Furlong.

Not to be repetitive, Mr. Speaker, but I’d also like to recognize Mr. Ray Anderson, who was a colleague of mine when I was involved with the NWT Chamber of Commerce and who contributed greatly to that organization. Also, Matco is a resident in my constituency of Hay River South in Hay River.

I don’t think we’ve missed anyone in the gallery today. If we have, welcome to the House. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings.

Item 7, acknowledgments. Item 8, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to direct my questions to the Minister of Education. Earlier today in my Member’s statement I talked about the need

for flexibility. I have a constituent problem where they are trying to get a child in potentially a little early to kindergarten, but the policies we have existing today don’t allow that type of flexibility. My question specifically to the Minister of Education is: would his department look at developing a policy so some type of review could happen, just like Alberta has set up, so that if a child is able to or it’s warranted under special circumstances, they could allow a child to enter kindergarten — enter the school system — just a little bit early?

Minister of Education, Mr. Lafferty.

With respect to the Member’s question, we do follow the Education Act, and our legislation clearly highlights that we do accept children to enter kindergarten at age five before December 31. Those are the rules and regulations we’ve been following for a number of years now. We are following the Education Act.

It comes as a great relief to me and probably this House to see that the Minister of Education follows the Education Act. What I’m asking is that the Minister go back and take a look at the act and see if they can create some flexibility in the policy. Alberta has a policy where if your birthday just falls a little past that December 31 date, the parents, in conjunction with the school board, do a review with the child to make sure they’re able to and if the school board can allow that child. It’s a school board decision. That’s really what I’m asking for. Would the Minister be willing to go back to his department and discuss coming up with a policy to build that flexibility into this situation so we can move forward just like Alberta?

In order to look at those areas of concern the Member has raised, certainly our department can look into other jurisdictions, the policies we have on hand and what other jurisdictions are involved in, whether it be accepting those students that are born after December 31 or, based on their criteria, their testing of those children to enter the school system. This type of work can certainly take place. I can certainly work with my department to initiate that process.

Can I accept that as a commitment from the Minister?

Certainly, like I said: I will work with my department and get back to the Member on what we find in our investigation and research with other jurisdictions throughout Canada.

Thank you, Minister Lafferty. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.