Weledeh

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance was complimented at last week’s public meeting on carbon taxation for being the Minister promoting discussion on this opportunity. Three MLAs and three Ministers attended the roundtable to get the facts and they are to be congratulated too. Participation from Finance and Environment and Natural Resources officials added to the discussion. With the Minister’s leadership, this discussion is well underway. Can the Minister say what the next steps will be in pursuing this work? Mahsi.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 50)

Mr. Speaker, change is difficult, but a smart carbon tax will create the economic incentive to take action. Places that have acted have benefited. Like shopping bag fees, the hoopla has disappeared shortly after these changes have been implemented. Let’s get it done. Mahsi.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Does committee agree?

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 49)

I would simply note that the Auditor General has observed that these amendments were made to allow for the indemnity to be changed and that some of the existing regulatory requirements, including the need to give 14 days’ notice for change, this is within days if not hours of the event that transpired immediately after that. I have to ask, the amendments that the Premier mentioned, the amendments to the rules on which we base our day-to-day business, when did they occur relative to the decisions to indemnify themselves without letting Members know?

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do have another question. I’m wondering, Mr. Speaker, how is it possible that this government can amend the rules rather than follow the rules and choose to avoid requirements that are in law in terms of engineering and so on in making a decision to go forward. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to follow up perhaps with the Premier. I’ve heard some distressing remarks here. I find the Auditor General’s remarks and report here quite distressing. I heard the Minister of Transportation say we followed the rules. In fact, Mr. Speaker, they didn’t do that. They changed the rules, not once but twice and the second time was...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 49)

Thank you for the response from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, we need data to attack this problem. Data is information and all we have right now is anecdotal information. The Seniors’ Society is calling on government to get the facts and start research projects to collect specific data on the extent of elder abuse and living conditions specific to seniors. The Anti-Poverty Alliance is calling for the same improvements in data collection. Will the Minister commit to working with the Department of Executive to take prompt action on this request so we can set the 17th Assembly up with good data for...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to probe a little further on how this government can and will assist our seniors as they struggle to deal with the issue of elder abuse. My questions are for the Minister responsible for Seniors.

At the close of the NWT Seniors’ Building Network Symposium the society stated some priorities for immediate action. They want to put in place pilot networks in communities over the next three to four years; upgrade their online support to fight abuse with information; they want to reinstate the NWT Prevention of Abuse of Older Adults Steering Committee; and they seek...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to speak today on one of the tragic realities facing our elders: the huge yet hidden prevalence of elder abuse.

The NWT Seniors’ Society has been working hard to push this reality out into the open through their Building Networks on Elder Abuse Project. The project’s three phases were reviewed at a two-day symposium in Yellowknife, November 30th and December 1st, attended by more than 100 participants drawn from all regions.

Community and literature research was reported. National experts shared their wisdom on the state of knowledge on elder abuse. The results of...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 49)

Thank you, committee. We’ll do that, but we’ll start with a short break.

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