David Krutko

Mr. Speaker, going on to the subsurface section of the agreement again, section 21.1.6:

“The Government of the Northwest Territories shall involve the Gwich’in in the development and implementation of any Northern Accord on oil and gas development in the Northwest Territories which is negotiated pursuant to the enabling agreement, dated September 5, 1988, between Canada and Government of the Northwest Territories.”

Mr. Speaker, 21.1.7:

“Government agrees to consult the Gwichi’in Tribal Council in relation to any proposed legislation which affects only the Northwest Territories or only Yukon and...

Mr. Speaker, it’s an honour to second this motion, knowing the threat of residential schools and also that First Nations people in Canada have suffered under these long-held policies of past governments.

Yet, it’s still originates in our communities, from the suicides that we see, the alcoholism, the physical abuse — it’s still there today.

Mr. Speaker, I was amazed to find out that in my home community, Fort McPherson, there was a residential school operated by the church in 1895. That’s how far back you can go to recognize how this was implemented in Canada. We’ve had residential schools in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Minister tell me exactly how soon these doctors’ positions can be filled in the Inuvik region so that the residents of the Beaufort-Delta Region will have some comfort, knowing that those positions will be filled?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The whole health care system is dependent on four doctors to provide services to eight communities in the Beaufort-Delta Region. It’s not realistic to ask these doctors to provide that service and also ensure that we will have a stable health care system.

Also, the Minister stated that nurses….

As a government we’re still doing work in regard to the devolution process — the Northern Accord, as it was better known in the past.

I’d like to ask the Premier: under the land-claim agreements it’s clear, I stated, that the government shall involve these aboriginal groups in those processes. I’d like to ask the Premier exactly how you are going to include those groups who have land-claim obligations for this government to involve them through the process of consulting or devolution.

Mr. Speaker, the reason I was asked to raise this question is because there are things happening within this government by way of policy changes and program changes. But they are not going to the First Nations organizations who have land claims, who have specific rights with regard to modern-day treaties. The right to consult is also spelled out in a lot of court cases.

Mr. Speaker, there have been changes by way of policy changes, such as contracts in regard to time limits, which have basically been shortened. Again, that change, under the land-claim agreement — an obligation to consult is...

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize my Constituency Assistant, Liz Wright, who is here in the gallery today. Liz is in town this week, working out of my office here in Yellowknife. Welcome to the gallery.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board.

There was a process that was advertised in the paper last summer. It was in the papers for about three months. It advertised to find an appropriate applicant for the chairman position of the Workers’ Compensation Board.

I believe there were several applications that were filed: one from Nunavut, six from the Northwest Territories, and, I believe, three of them were former deputy ministers of this government.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that due process was not followed. Also, the Minister, in making...

Mr. Speaker, the health of the people of Aklavik is at risk here. There are high cases of stomach cancer in that community. It’s been diagnosed through having to send a medical team in there to diagnose every resident of the community. And it’s fully directed towards the water problem. I think, as this government realizes, that should be a top priority of this government. For someone in this House to stand up and say, “Delay, evaluate, assess the program and then come back with reasons,” we can’t afford that.

So I’d like to ask the Premier, along with the Minister, that this project be put on...

Minister’s Statement 116(2) and Minister’s Statement 9-16(2) are concluded. Therefore, what’s the wish of the committee?