Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would just like to welcome William Greenland, a friend of mine from Inuvik. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s good to hear the Minister of MACA make a statement this morning with regard to the pipeline.

Mr. Speaker, since the announcement of Imperial Oil Limited, on behalf of the proponents of the Mackenzie gas project, to suspend future technical work along the Mackenzie Valley, there have been aboriginal groups, business people and people in general concern about the future of the proposed pipeline along the Mackenzie Valley.

Many people, Mr. Speaker, in the Beaufort-Delta are concerned and so they should be. Owners of small businesses are trying to decide...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is important that we have an agreement-in-principle for the resource revenue for the diamond mines and petroleum projects should the pipeline become a reality.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to respond to the concerns raised by the aboriginal groups and municipalities and general public for the needed funds to address the social impacts and infrastructure needs of all the Northwest Territories’ communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to welcome yourself and my colleagues on your safe return to attend the Fourth Session of the 15th Assembly. Mr. Speaker, a number of special events have occurred recently in the Beaufort-Delta region that I would like to touch on today.

The Aurora College campus in Inuvik recently graduated 39 adults in various programs and I would like to congratulate Nellie Pokiak, Lena Pingo and Jenna Keogak.

On Friday, Mr. Speaker, May 27th, 2005, four students will graduate from the Helen Kalvak Elihakvik School in Holman. I would like to wish Robbie Inuktalik, Lori...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My better half, Lucille, couldn’t make it down here for the opening of session, but in her place I brought along my friend, Darren Pokiak…

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…also, my older son Bertram Pokiak in the gallery…

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…also, Mr. Speaker, my constituency assistant, Charlene Elias. I’d also like to say hi to Abel up there. He’s a long-time friend of mine from Aklavik. Thank you.

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Thank you, Madam Chair. I, like my colleague, agree that September is the time when people are out doing their subsistence hunt for geese. The third option, May/June, is the time again when people are out on the land.

I listened here today to people talking about the weather, but up north when you have to campaign, you go campaigning. It doesn’t matter what kind of weather it is. If you want to start campaigning, the option is the first Monday in November. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am still not convinced, Mr. Speaker, that $1 million in communities does about 500 cubic metres of gravel to do our roads in Tuk or erosion programs. I understand what the Minister is saying. When can this $1 million be available to communities? When can the department identify these needs for the communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Honourable Michael McLeod. Earlier, the Minister announced a new deal for community governments. Included in the budget, Mr. Speaker, there was $1 million allocated to identify, consult and plan for the use of the enhanced deal. Can the Minister provide more detail on how this money will be spent? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about a number of things, including condolences to the family of the late Edgar Kotokak and to send greetings to everyone in the Northwest Territories and my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I understand the funeral for Edgar Kotokak will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2005, in Tuktoyaktuk. On behalf of my family and constituents, our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the late Edgar Kotokak.

Mr. Speaker, the other day, my colleague Mr. McLeod reported on the IRC Native Hockey Tournament. Today I would like...

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The motion is in order. To the motion.