Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I would like to thank the Member for bringing up
some of the areas, whether it be a concern or ideas and suggestions. First and foremost is the planning process obviously would consist of community involvement, DEAs and DECs and also leadership. We did receive a correspondence via the MLA from the chief, asking how they can be part of the process. By any means, we want them to be involved because it will have a positive impact into the community and they need to be part of that. So we will be involving the DEAs, DECs, leadership as well.
I agree with the Member that the Sahtu region, with the economic boost that is happening, there are a lot of activities that are coming. Obviously, we need trained personnel, trained community members. A regional training institute has been brought forward in this House and also in my conversations with the Member as well.
We are working closely with the regional training committee that has been established to identify communities’ needs and a five-year plan. That has been discussed. We will be moving forward on that based on those needs, and working closely with the community, the leadership again. As we move further along, we will identify what kind of training is required. I will be working closely with the Member on this particular file.
Just for Members’ information, my department will be going to Colville to talk further on the school itself in November, next month, to move things along so it is not at a standstill. I have committed already that we need to move on this.
Regional high school, this is an area that we have done in the past for establishing a regional high school in the region based on the wish of the communities, the wish of DEAs and DECs and also, again, leadership, that we need to work closely with, if that is the wish that we can work with the communities, the region. Some of the programs may not be offered in isolated communities, such as biology or chemistry. We are learning fast. There is e-learning that is happening in the Beaufort-Delta. I believe that is the way to go now as a short-term measure at this point, and could well be part of the long-term, as well, that we need to take advantage of to deliver. As yourself and other Members have been to Beaufort-Delta and witnessed the e-learning, it is a spectacular program that we need to take advantage of. That is what we are pursuing and I will keep the Members up to speed on the process. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.