Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 28/05) - Tagak Curley, Rankin Inlet MLA, wants to see information technology (IT) specialist hired in the schools, "particularly in places like Rankin Inlet."

However, Education Minister Ed Picco said the department just can't afford it.

He noted there are 42 schools across Nunavut, and every school would need an IT specialist.

He estimated it would cost more than $1 million to hire 10 specialists at a salary of $80,000, plus the cost of housing.

"I don't have those monies within my budget," he said.

Internet in schools

Nunalik MLA Patterk Netser asked Education Minister Ed Picco why many schools in Nunavut do not have broadband internet, considering it is available.

Picco said broadband is a new thing for Nunavut, introduced in all communities last summer. He said that while almost all schools have internet, broadband is a priority.

Health staff recruitment

Hudson Bay MLA Peter Kattak noted the inadequate number of health staff for Sanikiluaq's growing population and asked what the Minister of Health and Social Services was doing about it.

Minister Leona Aglukkaq said the department is recruiting internationally, and that two positions have recently been earmarked for Sanikiluaq from the pool of international nurses hired.

She said recruiting health staff has been a challenge for the last five years, and the number of positions filled today are highest they've ever been.