I can’t specifically talk about programs that are offered by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, but I can say as participants in the capital planning process with other government departments, the government considers distribution of projects so that we don’t overtax individual communities with excess projects in one year. The NWT Housing Corporation relies on the BIP, Business Incentive Policy when contracting projects and this process includes adjustments for local involvement. The Business Incentive Policy evaluation process was designed to support local contractors in bidding on projects.
As well, all of the social envelope deputy ministers are working together to breakdown program and policy barriers that may impact our residents of the NWT. Another partnership I’d like to mention is the Apprenticeship Program that the Housing Corporation is involved with. It’s one example where we’re trying to train our local residents so that they can succeed in the trades and we can get more proponents within the communities. Currently, we have up to 15 apprentices annually.