Several Regular MLAs schooled Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland in the NWT Assembly last week on the ramifications of Aurora College’s recent decision to close all Community Learning Centres.
Aurora College is closing 19 Community Learning Centres located mostly in smaller communities across the NWT as of June 30.
Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong said there was no consultation about these closures. If there had been any, the Tłı̨chǫ would not have agreed with the plan.
“Aurora college received almost $46 million in grants and contributions from the Government of the Northwest Territories in 2024, so we should be doing more for small communities, not less,” stated the MLA.
“The Community Learning Centres work closely with schools in the communities and gives adults a place to earn high school credits. At the very least, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, should have consulted with residents to evaluate each learning centre on an individual basis.”
Weyallon Armstrong suggested Community Learning Centres funding should go to the school boards.
Meantime, Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rogers asked Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana what could be done for a three-storey apartment block in Inuvik which has two floors rented out to Housing NWT clients.
He said he receives regular complaints of drug deals and other illegal activity and asked if security could be put in place.
“The RCMP, to their credit, have been doing an amazing job,” said Rogers. “They’ve made several busts in that building, which is good. Unfortunately, a week later, we see the same activity back in the same units in there, again and again.”
Kuptana said not only has she been in the building – the Nunakput MLA has family members living in it – but she also had the president of Housing NWT tour the place to have a look.
Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon stands in the NWT Assembly on February 7th. Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya is seated at right. (Photo courtesy of Assembly livestream)
In his Territorial Address on Tuesday, Premier R.J. Simpson said one of three crime-reduction bills to be introduced this session will allow authorities to shut down properties that are actively harming communities, including homes being used for drug trafficking.
On Friday during Oral Questions, Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon asked why there is only one source for caskets in the NWT, unless one is handmade.
“Recently, my community members have come to me to voice their concerns with the fact that caskets have been re-used multiple times, disrespecting the deceased and causing anguish to their family during a time that they should be focused on grieving together,” he said.
In his response to the Budget Address on Thursday, Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse said cabinet and the Regular MLAs need to “focus on the priorities we’ve set … our mandate has got to be where we focus our energy.”
He lamented the fact the Assembly’s mandate items did not come with more specific targets to achieve.
He said he’s also waiting for the adults in the room to stand up and make the hard decisions.
“When I see us looking at cuts, I hear: ‘Well, we don’t want to doing this, we don’t want to do that; yes, we absolutely need to make tough decisions but not that one’,” said Morse.
“Around and around we go on the wheel of consensus government. Do we have the humility to look at ourselves in how we contribute to this problem and stand up, be the adults in the room, and make the tough decisions?
“I believe that a majority of members in this chamber are up to the task. This room is full of people who I respect, who have shown me they are prepared to do what’s needed to get this territory on a positive track.”
