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Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

There are clearly different perspectives on how much information analysis has been provided towards the consideration of the proposal put forward. So putting that aside, Mr. Speaker, I’m asking the Minister if she will commit to providing thorough and transparent analyses whenever she’s bringing forward proposals for consideration of committee. Mahsi.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not surprisingly, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I’d like to start by again thanking the Minister and Cabinet for moving forward in this way. I think they’ve heard the people, and this is democracy in action. I’d like to start by saying this whole process has been like crossing a wide and dry desert and finally having a glass of tall, cool water offered by the Minister here. So it is greatly appreciated. But this is relief that needs to get out there to all as the first step. There’s an anxious and traumatized public awaiting relief...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I applaud the government’s reconsideration of changes to the Supplementary Health Benefits Program. The Minister shows, with this action, that she has listened and respected the clear voice of democracy and has benefited from the input of Members and the public in reaching a wise decision. The response of the government shows that the detailed input of Members and the public has been, and will be, taken into account. The announcement of the requirement for third-party insurance where it is available, measures to ensure parity between the emergency health benefits of...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A couple of quick questions here. On this one, I just want to confirm that a wood pellet densification unit is a device for manufacturing wood pellets. Is that correct?

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have similar issues with this item. First of all, I’m concerned that it’s only five positions. As the Minister knows, the Members have called for a SWAT team, or certainly a comprehensive and focused effort with a good bump-up in number of people to deal with these arrears that are plaguing our people and our local housing offices. The five positions that are mentioned here, is that the same five positions that would have been transferred from Housing to ECE previously when the transfer took place five years ago? Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m just wondering a little detail on this. Basically my question is why the frequency of twice a year. Are all communities going to be done twice a year? Typically I would think these things would be done once a year or every three years. I’m looking for some justification for the twice a year. Perhaps that’s in how complete the surveys are done each year.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

I know that there are still issues of employee satisfaction in the department and these are brought to my attention. I think that shows some progress if the net has dropped from 1,800 to 1,400, but it’s a pretty modest progress. Again, we’ve been dealing with this for much longer than the Minister had indicated. I guess I’ll leave it at that and just highlight my concerns that we need to show better progress than this. We need to demonstrate that things are in place to prevent further accumulations at the same time that we’re working to clear up this backlog.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the support of colleagues here. I think it’s clear that there is general and considerable concern about eliminating the collection of this information that’s needed as a basis for good decision and its absence would result in suspect data. We suffer from small numbers and the difficulty of statistics anyway, so we don’t need this added problem. Mr. Speaker, I just want to again ask the Cabinet if the Premier would allow a free vote and I request a recorded vote. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 26)

WHEREAS the Government of Canada intends to eliminate the Statistics Canada long-form census questionnaire and replace it with a voluntary survey;

AND WHEREAS the long-form census is a critical source of information about the diversity, employment, income, education, and other characteristics of Canadians;

AND WHEREAS in the NWT, data from the Census of Population and the NWT Community Survey are used extensively by all levels of government and many businesses and agencies to monitor socio-economic conditions; to design, monitor and evaluate programs; and to plan policy initiatives and identify...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was going to ask about the 30 percent of gross income being unrealistic and crushing, but I think I will hold off on that and just ask the Minister in respect to these rental arrears.

It is stressful. It is urgent. What sort of time frame are we talking about for these people that are living under these crushing debts of tens of thousands of dollars with very modest incomes? They need relief. When will it happen? Thank you.