Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize one of my constituents in the gallery and one of the youngest chairs in the Aklavik community corporation, Jordan McLeod, also, Jimmy Kalinek and Jozeph Carnigarsky. I would also like to thank you all for all the leadership that you do in the communities. It is much appreciated. Mahsi.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to have the nursing and social work students here, in the House, today. I would particularly like to recognize Jordan Erickson, Jody Prince, and Candice Ferdinand who are joining us today. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also welcome all the social worker and nursing students here today, in particular, one of my riding, a constituent, Naila Cazon. Thank you very much. As well, I would like to recognize my CA who makes me look good and does all the great work out there. I would like to thank her very much, Debra Richards.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize all the social worker students and Candice Ferdinand, originally from Deline. Mahsi.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize, as well, Jozeph Carnigarsky, my high school buddy. Joseph is here making amendments to the Wildlife Act, and it's good to see his young leadership with the Gwich'in. He's also a negotiator for the Gwich'in, so I just want to give him a shout-out for all the hard work he is doing. Also, to Jimmy Kalinek. Over the weekend we were in Tuktoyaktuk for Persis Gruben's birthday. Jimmy is a very avid cultural performer, drum dancing, and many aspects of the Inuvialuit culture, so a shout-out to Jimmy, as well to Jordan McLeod who is, as my colleague from the Beaufort Delta says, one of the youngest members of the Inuvialuit Development Regional Corporation. So welcome to Jordan and a shout-out to all the young guys who are working hard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we're missing anyone in the gallery, welcome to our Chambers. It's always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Why it wasn't addressed at the start of the school year is because we just had the shuffle in the spring, April, I believe it was, so I had just taken on the portfolio of Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. It wasn't until the summer months, actually, that it was brought to my attention that we're not having more than one teacher in schools.

I do have to recognize the MLA, Shane Thompson, for bringing that to my attention. It was a serious concern of his and a serious concern of mine. Safety is number one. So, it took a little bit of time because it was brought to my attention during the summer, it took a little bit of time to look at the process, to get the approvals that we needed to, but, as soon as I heard about it, it was a priority. I apologize if it wasn't timelier than it could have been, but I am glad that we resolved the situation.

I thank the Minister for doing this. I appreciate her listening to the concerns and then working forward to help the students and the teachers, as well. So, can the Minister advise us when will the changes be implemented to ensure the physical safety and mental health for the students and teachers?

The decision just came through. It was around a month ago, actually, that I was allowed to make this decision. So, we phoned all of the education bodies. We notified them verbally. We're in the process now of doing written letters to them all advising and then reinstating the funding so that they'll have the full-year funding for the year.

I'm looking forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the students, the teachers, and the communities. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister be able to tell us will this change be a new policy moving forward, or is this just a one-time shot for this year?

We used internal funding for this year because I needed it done and I wanted it done now. However, we have talked, and so, we are putting together a proposal at this moment, and we'll be bringing it through the Financial Management Board for a decision for future funding.

Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope that the Financial Management Board will continue to support that because I think this is a very important initiative being brought forth by the Minister. So, can the Minister advise us: will this have an impact on the support staff, like the classroom assistants and language specialists?

Yes, it will have an impact. It's going to mean better support for the students within the schools. So, schools are still funded for a half-time position for a language instructor and also for program support. This is actually on top, this is actually more support for students, and it's about safety for our students. So it's a good thing, and I will do my best to make sure it's maintained. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Justice on my Member's statement on family violence. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister a question on the 2007 needs survey which was conducted by the GNWT and the Coalition Against Family Violence, entitled "NWT Family Violence Attitudinal Survey." I'm wondering if the Department of Justice, in conjunction with other departments, is planning to conduct another family violence survey like the one that was done in 2007? Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Justice.