YELLOWKNIFE (November 6, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories confirmed today that it is no longer in discussions with Yellowknife Education District #1 (YK1) and the Commission scolaire francophone (CSF) on a school swap.

“Whatever YK1 decides regarding the use of their schools will not have any impact on the appeal that the GNWT has decided to pursue respecting the court ordered expansion to Ecole Allain St. Cyr,” said Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share the Northwest Territories three year baseline results of the Early Development Instrument referred to as the EDI results.  The EDI is a population-level tool that measures children’s ability to meet age appropriate developmental expectations at school entry.

The EDI measures five  areas of a child’s development, including their  physical health and well-being, their language and cognitive development, their communication skills and general knowledge, their social competence and the child’s emotional maturity.

Mr. Speaker, a skilled workforce is a prerequisite for growing a strong, diversified economy in this territory and our government is doing its part by supporting training and certification programs. This year marks the 50th anniversary of apprenticeship training and certification in the Northwest Territories. Since 1964 more than 2600 apprentices have been trained and certified as journeypersons in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is committed to supporting the development of an educated, skilled and trained northern workforce. As stated in the Economic Outlook 2014-15 report, we have an incredible future with a potential for more than 4.5 billion dollars in new investment in the NWT planned over the next several years. With these investments come many new jobs and opportunities.

YELLOWKNIFE (November 3, 2014) – Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty is recognizing the top-achieving NWT apprentices during Skilled Trades and Technology Week in the Northwest Territories happening from November 3-9, 2014. The week is taking place this year as part of 50^th anniversary celebrations for apprenticeship training and certification in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advise this House that the government has listened to the feedback we have received to date from Members about Junior Kindergarten.

In an effort to respond to what Members have told us, while at the same time not wanting to disrupt parents and schools that are in the midst of delivering Junior Kindergarten we have made the following decision.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 29, 2014) – Northerners were recognized for promoting and preserving NWT culture and heritage atthe 2014 Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle awards ceremony hosted by Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty today.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment’s work to promote and preserve the culture, heritage and languages of the NWT.

As a northern people, our culture is rooted in the land and created in the places where we live and practice our daily lives. Northern culture is unique, woven together from our diverse experiences and incorporates our heritage, stories, spirituality, traditional knowledge, languages and creativity.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 28, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories is responding to numbers released by Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS) and the Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) last week showing the apparent cost of Junior Kindergarten (JK) and its impact on their schools. The boards’ press release contained critical factual errors that risk adding to the existing confusion about the implementation of JK in Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure you that I have been listening carefully to Members during the recent debate around Junior Kindergarten. I also want to assure you that the Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to the principle that focused, targeted support during their first years of life will help our children reach their full potential and become healthy, educated, successful adults. Our government has introduced Junior Kindergarten, a program designed to achieve just this result, Mr. Speaker, and have already rolled it out successfully to 23 communities.