Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s commitment once again. We need to move from an outdated energy system that is costing our people in every way, to one that promotes healthy land, people and economies. What steps will the Minister take to get all of this done during our term? Thank you.

Thanks to the Minister for that response. I wish it was completely accurate, but unfortunately many of those $60 million, of course, were directed to irrational subsidies of fossil fuels. Many of our people across the Northwest Territories want to reduce their energy costs. They have motivation and infrastructure suitable for generating renewable energy for their own use and for sale, but first a fair price is needed. A feed-in tariff price is fair because it recognizes the benefits and savings of renewable energy. Will the Minister commit to considering a feed-in tariff policy and requiring...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d also like to recognize our table officers today. I recognize Mr. Anthony “Tony” Whitford as the resident of Weledeh.

In the gallery, I believe, is Amanda Mallon, who was there earlier. She is a resident of Weledeh and city councillor.

Also there is Gail Cyr, who has been mentioned, a recent recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Also, if memory serves, also perhaps a past Wise Woman Award winner and most importantly, of course, a resident of Weledeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The biggest factor in cost of living and economic development is the cost and availability of energy. Yet, in terms of progressive energy policy, we are so misled by the use of fossil fuels, which are costly and cause climate change, that we are missing the boat and the world is passing us by. What we do or don’t do in energy policy and planning is pivotal to our success. Our challenges are clear: Skyrocketing cost of fossil fuels, dangerous climate changes, shrivelling community economies, fossil fuel subsidies 10 times that for renewable energy, and uncertain...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this motion as well. I support diversity in all its ways, and one of the biggest ways that we are really strong in, particularly in the Northwest Territories, is our diversity of cultures and languages. There is so much knowledge and ways of seeing the world that we need that are wrapped up in languages, that we need to do whatever we can to help these languages survive and thrive. I back up my colleague from the Deh Cho, noting that there’s a big role for families, and parents and elders in this role.

There’s no doubt now, based on the new science...

Thank you. I’d like to keep the Minister of ECE busy today and I wish we were on solar power right now.

Mr. Speaker, the question to the Minister, I know there has been an Early Childhood Development Program review going on. It’s partly related, of course, to the Aboriginal Student Initiative review, which was completed and is, I think, being implemented now. Could we get an update from the Minister on the Early Childhood Development from the Minister of ECE? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask questions of the Minister of ECE today. A motion was passed in the Assembly, a previous Assembly, calling on the Minister of ECE to reinstate the policy of sponsoring a placement in the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. As I explained at that time, we have an ideal NWT-born, trained and committed candidate coming forward for application to that program. The Minister said he would ensure consideration of reinstatement of this sponsorship in the current review of the Student Financial Assistance Program. I’d just like to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the House considers the issue of bullying, I want to ensure we consider the postnatal, the preschool and early childhood development aspects of prevention. Based on evolving studies, educators strongly urge that bullying and peer-directed aggression be tackled early in the child’s life. The suggestions make sense. Home life, child care and preschool set the tone to a child’s future perception of school and community, one that can persist throughout the child’s entire school career and life.

Bullying can be aggravated if a disconnection occurs between home and school...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the comments from all Members of the Legislative Assembly here today. Basically in summary, we have exceptionally high rates of addictions in the Northwest Territories. Our current programs have stagnated, but we need a practical approach. This program draws on the tried and true buddy system, it’s community-based, it allows us to work together, it recognizes the high costs of addictions in terms of human health, correctional and community costs and so on. It’s a priority of this Assembly and it’s a step toward addictions-free communities. This is only one...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS enhancing addictions treatment programs has been identified as one of the Believing in People and Building on the Strengths of Northerners priorities of the 17th Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS Northwest Territories rates of substance abuse are among the highest in Canada and clearly related to and aggravated by equally high rates of major negative social indicators, and that police report substance abuse as a factor in more than 90 percent of complaints;

AND WHEREAS an innovative addictions treatment approach was piloted in Old Crow, Yukon, in 2004-2005 with a...