[English translation not provided.]

Today my Member’s statement is about the youth of Tu Nedhe and the need to have a coordinated approach for the youth spending in this government.

This government has responded to the need to invest money in the youth and it’s time now to have all of those budgets coordinated. We should not fall into the trap of each department doing their own thing as far as youth are concerned. We have a Minister responsible for Youth that must coordinate all budgets and activities from the various departments where youth budgets lie. Those departments are departments like Education, Culture and Employment, Health and Social Services, MACA, and any other department that is working on investing in the youth of the NWT.

This government’s investment in the youth is very important for the future success of the whole Territory. On July 18th , 2008, I asked the then-

Minister of MACA to hire youth staff to assist the communities in completing items such as youth surveys. I realize that the Minister-of-the-day was not able to commit to hiring youth staff. At that time there was no money in the budget for it. However, now the time may be right.

On October 8th I asked the Minister of MACA to

increase youth budgets and look at how youth budgets were allocated specifically for my communities in the Tu Nedhe. In addition to responding to the questions, the Minister committed to working on a youth strategy for all communities in the Northwest Territories.

On October 22nd , 2008, I asked the Minister of

MACA to look at youth programs for smaller communities and again asked the Minister to work with the communities on youth strategies. Today I will have more questions as it pertains to youth and the need for this government to have a focal point that is the Minister of Youth.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, colleagues. I know there is a plan to hire two youth workers. A few of those workers should work directly for the Minister of Youth and

be responsible for coordinating all youth funding and to ensure that all the money that is targeted for youth is spent on the youth and spent to benefit the youth across the Territories. Later today I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Youth.