Yellowknife South

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 37)

I think we have taken the lead in that area once again. Once devolution is implemented, we will have an intergovernmental council; we will be working with all of the Aboriginal governments that sign on to devolution, working together, and I think that in that way that’s the best way to resolve disputes. For those that haven’t signed on yet, we’re still very optimistic that we’ll hopefully see that happen within the next year or so.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 37)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve been a very big supporter of the truth and reconciliation process. We think they have been doing an excellent job. If we are asked and if we are prepared to continue to work with them, we will work with them to include the history of residential school in our curriculum, working with Aboriginal governments, and I think that we would be prepared to work with them if we are asked to do so and try to extend the process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 37)

Governments have a historical and special relationship with Aboriginal, specifically treaty, people. Here in the Northwest Territories, we have an opportunity to show the rest of Canada and the world how to improve and do things better in the area of negotiations, settling land claims and working together, having a good relationship with Aboriginal governments, and I think we’re making a lot of progress in that area.

I’ve said many times that in the historical treaty areas that the Member is talking about, the difference is that those Aboriginal governments believe in the oral version of the...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize visitors from the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories who chair the Coalition Against Family Violence: Lorraine Phaneuf, the executive director; Annemieke Mulders, programs and research manager; Samantha Dechief, community development coordinator; and David Wasylciw. Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 36)

Mr. Speaker, many Northwest Territories residents continue to experience family violence or are dealing with its negative after-effects. This is not the kind of territory that we want. We talk about healthy and educated people in this Assembly, and we talk about safe and sustainable communities. We are committed to achieving those goals and addressing family violence is an important part of that commitment.

One of the biggest challenges we face when it comes to family violence is the perception that what goes on in a person’s family is private business. Most times that is true. But family...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wouldn’t think we’re misleading anybody. We are looking at a plan. We are looking at options and we have excess power. We are working on a business case. If the business case presents that it’s feasible to export power after we’ve looked at the northern demands first, then it’s something that we are looking at.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my right I have Mr. Dave Heffernen, chief information officer for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for those comments. I agree with regard to our infrastructure. We should give ourselves an award in some cases. I think this is something that’s been around for a while, being held to a higher standard when we build buildings and other infrastructure. We would be very pleased to take the advice of the committee and find ways to be less grand while still fulfilling all of the Building Code requirements, safety standards and so on.

Most of our buildings, we amortize them over 40 years but most of them last longer than that. I think that the list of projects...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 34)

Thank you for those comments. I appreciate your perseverance. I think that the items in the budget, certainly Fort Simpson and I know the Trout Lake Airport has been worked on for some time. The Trout Lake School, as you know, there’s some planning money for it. The chipseal, obviously we wouldn’t want to see all that fine chipseal disappear, and we’ll talk to the department about that. I think we have some money for Highway No. 1. We were talking to industry about more investment in that area.

In the longer term, in talking with the federal government, they are very interested in what we’re...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 34)

Thank you, Madam Chair. With me I have Michael Aumond, deputy minister of Finance. Thank you, Madam Chair.