Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize some ladies here from the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories. Starting with Lorraine Phaneuf, executive director; Tina Gargan, president, representing the Deh Cho region; Georgina Jacobson-Masuzumi, Beaufort-Delta. We also went to school together way back when. Doris Camsell, representing South Slave; Su-Ellen Kolback, vice-president, from the North Slave; Samantha Dechief, community development coordinator; Annemieke Mulders, program and research manager.

I will convey that to them. With the Mackenzie Valley fibre optic link that will connect all of the communities through the Internet.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I read the same media release/media reporting that the Member is quoting from. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I guess, first of all, we don’t go back and review all of the Hansard to make sure there were no incorrect statements. But going forward, if we have staff that track Hansard to make sure that if there are incorrect statements that are not consistent with government policy, they bring it to our attention, either to the individual Minister or to Cabinet. Then we take the appropriate action to make sure that the statements that we make are accurate, correct, and up to date.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess it depends which government you’re referring to. If it was made in previous Assemblies and it was inaccurate, I don’t see how anyone could expect it to be a commitment that would have to be followed up at this Assembly, especially if it was an incorrect statement.

Mr. Speaker, International Women's Day honours women's advancement towards equality and reminds us of the vigilance required to ensure that equality is maintained in every aspect of society.

Every year the Status of Women Council celebrates this day by announcing recipients for the Wise Women Awards. These women, chosen from five Northwest Territories regions, stand up of what is right for women, children and families. They work tirelessly behind the scenes or on centre stage to make a difference in our communities. They never give up their effort to encourage women to become leaders in...

I will do that. This federal government is very responsive and I’m sure they will address this concern on a timely basis, but I will communicate that concern to them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My understanding is that they have 10 years to decide whether they’re going to draw down, and I think they’re probably about two or three years away from the 10 years.

As I already indicated to MLA Bromley, I don’t agree that’s an accurate assessment. Thank you.

Minister Valcourt indicated that although he’d been a federal Minister in previous governments, he’s never had the opportunity to visit the Northwest Territories and that he was going to visit. At the first opportunity he’d be up here in the Northwest Territories.