Brendan Bell

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act, be read for the first time. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 7, Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I couldn’t agree with the Member more. The challenge has been laid out before us. We have to find ways to get more of our people employed in all industries, including the diamond mines. We have had a number of discussions with committee. The mining companies, De Beers, BHP, and Rio Tinto, have come in front of us to talk about this and talk about the efforts that they are making. I really do believe that they are making some good effort. Let’s face it; it makes good business sense to hire northerners who are closer to home than it does to go scouring the country and flying...

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Partnership Act.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the foundation has to be a good, basic education. I think Members in the House I know are proud to see that our graduation numbers are coming up. That will stand us in good stead. But from there, we know that we have to focus on post-secondary education. We have to focus on developing trades and making sure more people, boys and girls, are interested in entering these fields, because there will be a number of jobs in this new economy that we are creating throughout the Northwest Territories. We are still very optimistic that this project is a go, but...

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Condominium Act. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the Northwest Territories energy plan.

---Applause

This plan provides a comprehensive roadmap to guide and supply GNWT decisions regarding the development, generation, and use of energy in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we have a tremendous supply of energy resources in our territory, yet the cost of energy in our communities is very high and contributes significantly to our elevated cost of living.

Meanwhile, the environmental impacts of energy use, and in particular climate change, are already being evidenced across...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 7, Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed to first reading of Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Partnership Act. Thank you.