Yes, I do, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2017-2018 Main Estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Overall, the department's estimates total $314.9 million, which is a decrease of $969,000 or 0.3 per cent from the 2016-2017 Main Estimates.

These estimates continue to support the GNWT's objective of ensuring a strong and sustainable future for the government and its programs by managing expenditures due to limited revenue growth.

The 2017-2018 Main Estimates include:

● $2.2 million to fund rises associated with the increased clients accessing the Income Assistance Program. This funding is to address income assistance needs for our most vulnerable clients;

● $3 million for the Small Community Employment Support Program to enhance youth employment and increase self-reliance in small and remote communities; and

● $1.5 million in new funding to implement free play-based care for four-year-olds across the remainder of the Northwest Territories, which will help reduce the cost of living for families in the NWT.

The government has committed to fully funding the junior kindergarten program in the 2017-18 school year, and we will be seeking the additional funding in the fall once final costs are known; an increase in funding to invest in enhancing Income Assistance benefits for NWT residents who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs; and reductions of $4.967 million as part of the government-wide reductions.

The department's proposed spending in 2017-18 continues to support the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly. Specific activities in support of these priorities include:

● working in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services;

● we will continue to implement the Right From the Start Early Childhood Development Framework, including implementing the three-year 2017 to 2020 action plan;

● simplifying the administration of licensed early childhood programs and continuing to increase funding for licensed early childhood programs;

● strengthening licenced early childhood programs through improving resource materials; and

● increased training for early childhood workers.

Spending also includes $3.316 million for continuing implementation of Education Renewal, such as:

● initiatives for expanding high school distance learning programs in up to two schools;

● supporting student and teacher wellness through self-regulation and mental wellbeing initiatives;

● continuing the implementation of Safe Schools legislation through territorial Safe School and Emergency Response Plans, healthy relationships programming, and supports for students and staff from the LGBTQ2+ community;

● developing a renewed health and wellness curriculum;

● developing and implementing a territorial literacy strategy;

● supporting programming focused on strengthening teacher instructional practices; and

● implementing a comprehensive accountability framework for the JK to 12 education system.

We will also be working on other priority items, such as:

● updating the NWT Aboriginal Languages Framework and Action Plan, a shared responsibility;

● supporting the creation of the GNWT-wide Action Plan for the Culture and Heritage Strategic Framework;

● implementing the first year of the Skills 4 Success four-year action plan;

● increasing employment in in-demand jobs in the NWT with a comprehensive immigration strategy to address recruitment challenges;

● increasing the number of apprentices and journeypersons in the NWT by implementing a comprehensive apprenticeship strategy; and

● working in partnership with Aurora College to create a renewed strategic plan that contributes to the developments of the NWT's labour market.

The department will be reviewing the income security programs, including Senior Home Heating Subsidy Program and the Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefits.

These are a few of the highlights for the 2017-18 fiscal year. I look forward to working with Members to advance our priorities and mandate actions related to Education, Culture and Employment during the 18th Legislative Assembly. Mr. Chair, that concludes my opening remarks. Thank you.