Alfred Moses

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act, on September 17th. A clause-by-clause review was conducted the same day. The committee thanks the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

The bill removes an ambiguity in the act respecting the duration of emergency protection orders. It also gives the Supreme Court authority to correct minor defects in emergency protection orders and it allows the Minister to review emergency protection order transcripts for research...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Medical Travel Policy itself hasn’t been revised in about 15 years and the Minister has made some suggestions to that. When would this government look at a possible revised Medical Travel Policy that might include such things as an after-hours coordinator, a weekend coordinator, language translator and speeding up the process such as putting in timelines? Is there a timeline that we can see a revised Medical Travel Policy within this government? Thank you.

When individuals are consulted on this after-hours number or when they are going through their itinerary, is there somebody else in the room with these clients or individuals? In some cases, I’ve had elders approach me where they have agreed on medical travel and agreed to go to Edmonton without an escort when, in fact, they did need an escort. When I have approached the Minister in the past, he’s always said this elder – the Minister’s office, I shouldn’t say the Minister himself – was consulted. However, in some cases, the elder or the individual might just agree, not knowing what they’re...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to congratulate and welcome all the recipients of the Culture and Heritage Awards today, specifically the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute, and also welcome Karen Wright-Fraser, who is a relative and who has been a very strong advocate for cultural contributions and the prolonging of the Gwich’in culture. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize and welcome the social work students here joining us today in today’s proceedings. Specifically, Jolene Donovan and Tanya Snowshoe who are residents from Inuvik. I’d also like to recognize and welcome the Scott family and the Lifeguards for Lodune. Good job on the work that you’re doing. I really appreciate it. And of course, always, Mr. Anthony Whitford. It’s an honour to have you to join us in today’s proceedings. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Social Programs is pleased to provide its report on the review of 12, An Act to Amend the Education Act, and commends it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Social Programs commends the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment for advancing this bill in response to motions passed in this Assembly.

A year and a half ago, MLAs Dolynny and Yakeleya introduced a motion urging the Minister to develop legislation to help stop bullying in the Northwest Territories, supported by a comprehensive awareness campaign.

The motion was passed...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 15, Gunshot and Stab Wound Mandatory Disclosure Act, on September 17, 2013. A clause-by-clause review was conducted the same day.

The committee thanks the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill. The bill requires that all gunshot and stab wounds other than those wounds reasonably believed to be self-inflected or unintentionally inflicted be reported to health facilities and ambulance services that treat those injuries. The bill outlines the information that must be reported and the...

Thank you. In terms of modernizing the agreement, when can we see a copy of that agreement once it’s in draft form, and is the Gwich’in and the other three Aboriginal groups that are affected in the Peel River watershed, will they have some input into this agreement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also have questions today for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources in regard to my opening Member’s statement on the Peel River watershed and the Peel River itself. I want to ask the Minister what is the department’s position in this cause to protect the Peel. What is the department’s position on this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Good job.

It is the considered opinion of the Standing Committee on Social Programs that the bill is a reasonable first step in the NWT’s efforts to prevent bullying. However, it cannot be the last step. In fact, committee members expected more and so do residents of our territory. Further work must address the root causes of bullying.

It is significant that Bill 12 does not amend the Education Act to prohibit bullying outright. This surprised some students. In Inuvik, for example, one said, “It should be law. It’s wrong.” It is hard to argue...