Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 30/99) - The issues of health and education dominated a joint constituency meeting held by three Yellowknife MLAs this week.

After a lengthy session in the legislature wrapped up Tuesday evening, MLAs Roy Erasmus, Seamus Henry and Jake Ootes exited the chamber and entered the Great Hall where a small but enthusiastic congregation of some 12 constituents awaited them.

Once the meeting got going, city councillor Peggy Near asked the MLAs what was happening with the budget, and the recent calls for more funding to be allocated to education.

Ootes said the situation currently stands as the Finance Minister Charles Dent outlined -- that there simply isn't more money for education.

"The key is we have to mark these areas as priorities, so that if we do get the money...," said Ootes.

Erasmus said a big problem was that though the recently released Minister's Forum Final Report on Education contained may intriguing community recommendations, few could be implemented without the government finding itself in a debt situation.

"I don't really think the minister is going to move to put more money into education," he said, "Except to say you identify the areas where we can take money from, like transportation -- that's the dilemma, where to take the money from."

The subject of where and how to allocate budget money also inspired constituents to raise the issue of health and social services.

Jennifer Rigby said she works with women in a volunteer capacity and decried the lack of investment in social programs and youth. She argued the costs to the government and society would be 10-times more down the road and result in a higher number of young offenders and jails.

"What the heck is it going to take?" she said. "I just don't see the political will."

Erasmus agreed, arguing that early intervention through schools and training would result in a more productive Northwest Territories.

"I would almost agree to having a deficit if it means putting more money into education," he said.

Kathryn Youngblut said she works with Canadian Mental Health, and, like Rigby, decried the lack of funding for volunteer organizations and social and training programs.

"Three years ago, we received $200,000 for our annual budget, and this year we may get $80,000," she said.

Henry said he wasn't "prepared to thrown the towel in" and felt the assembly might yet find ways to secure more money for education, health and social services, if not for this year then by next.