I just want to reflect back on, obviously, the infrastructure. Obviously, we have not failed as a department. We spend millions on infrastructure such as Inuvik’s East Three School, the Tulita school, brand new schools.
We shouldn’t be using those terms when we’ve done so much as a department. We will continue to push that forward. We’re at the end of our Assembly. Usually when the capital infrastructure such as a huge initiative that is coming forward, obviously, it is the beginning of a new term.
At the same time, if there is a request, I would consider looking at a guaranteed income support for clientele. We have been working through a Labour Market Development Agreement that we have. There is flexibility there where having a focus on individuals that can pursue workforce placements. I will continue to push that forward because it’s part of the Canada Job Fund and provided flexibility for our department to focus on those individuals that fall through the cracks, individuals that are employable. To have another area of initiative where a guaranteed income support for all people of the Northwest Territories, we can look at it and see where that takes us, how much it’s going to cost us at the initial stage.
There was an example in Manitoba, $17 million in 1974, 1,000 people. If we’re looking at 1,000 people at today’s number, that’s very substantial to guarantee income. But we offset income, as well, through the Labour Market Agreement. We’re doing that already. Maybe there is room for improvement. Obviously, that’s an area that my department will certainly explore. Having those 3,100 cases of individual clientele, obviously, the number we like to see it go down. We like to see those numbers going to enter workforce development. Those will be my goals and objectives as the Minister responsible to make sure those individuals are ready with the tools that are required to enter the workforce.