Sorry, Madam Speaker, I stood up on the wrong orders of the day item number. Once again, and even more importantly, for the record, Madam Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure has reviewed Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicle Act, and wishes to report that Bill 5 is ready for

consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 15, tabling of documents. The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to table the following document, titled “Northwest Territories Marketing Plan 2014-2015.” Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Ramsay. Mr. Hawkins.

Thanks for noticing, Madam Speaker. As I said in my Member’s statement, and as I referred to in my oral questions, I will be tabling a letter sent to me by the board of governors, signed by Sydney O’Sullivan, who happens to be the chair of the board of governors of Aurora College. It was sent to me February 6, 2014, and the subject line item of the letter is Letter of Concern Received on January 30, 2014. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 16, notices of motion. Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting days and hours as the Speaker, after consultation, deems fit to assist with the business before the House. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Item 17, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Minister Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 18, motions. Item 19, first reading of bills. Item 20, second reading of bills. Item 21, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, with Mr. Dolynny in the chair.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. We’ve got two documents here, Tabled Document 4-17(5) and Tabled Document 22-17(5). What is the wish of committee? Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Committee would like to deal with Tabled Document 22-17(5). We’d like to continue with the Department of Human Resources and, time permitting, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations and the NWT Housing Corporation. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Is committee agreed?

Great. We’ll commence after a short break.

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I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. We have the Department of HR. I will go to the Minister of HR and see if he has any witnesses he’d like to bring into the House. Minister Beaulieu.

Yes, I would, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

For the record, if you could please introduce your guests to the House again today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my right is the deputy minister of Human Resources, Sheila Bassi-Kellett; and to my left is the director of policy, Michelle Beard.

Thank you, Minister Beaulieu. Ms. Bassi-Kellett and Ms. Beard, welcome back to the House. Committee, we are on general comments, Department of HR. Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If you recall, I was the last speaker on this matter, but I wanted to identify a concern that has been expressed to me on several occasions and that’s in regard to summer students. I understand with the facts before us that we’re trying to promote and advance opportunities for Northerners, and for First Nations in particular, to join the GNWT for jobs and career opportunities. It’s always been, I think, the wish and the encouragement as parents and as people of the North to promote education that’s of value in terms of bringing changes to the overall society.

So, given that, it’s been quite discouraging to see jobs that are concentrated in regional centres, or else in larger communities other than the small communities. I mean, I could cite at least one example of students that returned back to small communities, and of course, in small communities there are limited opportunities for employment, and if you do get a job, there are challenges that get in your way in terms of whether you have to pay rent because you’re living with your parents. That’s one example.

As a comment, if there’s anything that I could maybe leave the department with is if they are going to advance and make steps to ensure that we have opportunities for northern students and First Nations students to aspire to be GNWT employees, it’s got to start at the community level. For this year if we could aim to change the system so that at least there are ample job opportunities given to the students at the community level. I know it’s far away, now it’s February, we’re advancing pretty close to May when students return from their studies. I would like us to ensure that they take the steps of starting our career planning and providing opportunities for students so that eventually they become employees of the government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. With that, we’ll go to Minister Beaulieu.