Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last couple of weeks we’ve seen many announcements coming from the executive office setting some new course directions for the 17th Legislative Assembly.

Surprisingly, some of these new plot-a-course settings were the first to be heard of by Members, some escaped the due process of the House and others were never properly vetted by standing committees. So my questions today will be for the Premier.

On January 28, 2015, and with only limited notice to Regular Members, the public was made aware of the creation of a volunteer Mining Industry Advisory Board. This board...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know if we can continue to dredge up old priorities and squeeze them into the 17th Assembly.

Finally, on January 29, 2015, the Premier’s speaking notes at the North Star Gala in Ottawa were made public. Upon review, it’s clear the Premier was there to promote an economic and resource development agenda. Mr. Speaker, I’m very okay with this; however, what was missing from the tonality of this address, and I’m sure most Northerners would agree, there was a need to lower our cost of living in the North.

Can the Premier indicate why no reference to lowering cost of...

I’m sure committee will be commenting on that one. Again on January 28, 2015, the public was made aware of a meeting between our Premier and Prime Minister Harper describing a discussion on sustainable economic development. Part of this discussion involved the completion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway but, more importantly, an all-weather road into the Slave Geologic Province.

Can the Premier indicate to the House when and by what process has the substantiation for this all-weather road into the Slave Geologic Province ever been discussed with Regular Members of the 17th Assembly? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One cannot avoid, as of late, observing all the traveling occurring within our government. Taxpayers see travel to places such as China and Japan for fur and mineral exports and, most recently, to Ottawa in support for NWT Days. Most residents would agree the Government of the Northwest Territories has an obligation to support and promote, both globally and nationally, an open-for-business position. This is a given. But it’s the blurred line of government travel that always has to be put in perspective.

Without exception, our presence in a competitive world economy is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the joys of working alongside like-minded MLAs, especially in committee, is that on occasion all our compass headings point in the same direction and the motion before the House today is a testament of this resolve.

Early in our mandate as a committee, we took it upon ourselves to ask some fundamental questions as what singular activity could we do to change the lives of Northerners. Although we have a motion brought forward by Mr. Nadli and seconded by Ms. Bisaro, which we thank, if there was ever a motion brought before the House penned as one voice, moved and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to keep my last sessional statement of 2014 with a simple message of thanks and gratitude. First and foremost, we’ve just heard Mr. Yakeleya mention a very beautiful rendition for our fallen soldiers, and as we approach November 11th, it’s important that we give thanks to our fallen heroes, past and present.

Our success as a nation stands on the shoulders of their sacrifice. Let’s unite as an Assembly and grant them a moment of silence.

---Moment of silence

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and colleagues. It’s hard to believe that this will be the last Christmas holiday...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to introduce, to you and through you, someone who is very familiar to the House and a resident of Range Lake, Ms. Carmen Moore. Thank you for joining us. [English translation not provided.]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Range Lake North School has been a neighbourhood K to 8 school of utilization well over 80 percent for many years, and the options before the school and the parents are now significant, changes that I know are flat out not acceptable.

Can the Minister assure the people of Range Lake and the parents that send their kids to Range Lake North School that he will see that status quo remains?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Committee Report 7-17(5), Report on the Development of the Economic Opportunities and Mineral Development Strategies, and I would like to report progress with two motions being adopted and that Committee Report 7-17(5) is concluded. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Thank you. There’s a definite possibility that even with all the disruption and concern, YK1 could offer up the school and the Court of Appeal could still direct the GNWT to honour its original obligation. Can the Minister clearly articulate what steps will be taken should this occur?