Floyd Roland

As I said, there has been no commitment and times established. This has been a couple of discussions. As I said, I’m prepared to sit down with Members of the Assembly committee to discuss previous work that was done, where that went, and if there’s agreement that we should look at this process and get further involved or should we put it on the agenda of the next government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard much today and in the days and weeks building up to this situation, whether it played out in the media or to the event here today. We’ve heard much today about the need to look again at the initiative. There’s been some very good comments made by folks around the table, but I need to set the record straight on a number of things. Number one, this is not a Minister Miltenberger initiative. This is an initiative that was originally looked at through the exercise of board reform that spilled over from previous governments and was supported by the...

Once again, the Government of the Northwest Territories has not changed its position. We have not changed any legislation. This will not change the Education Act unless this Assembly agrees to change the government structure of that or the Territorial Health and Social Services Act. Again, unless this Assembly agrees to change the governance portion of that, and that is what the board reform is looking at, the governance side of it, the programming side, day-to-day delivery of education in our schools, day-to-day delivery of health care in our communities, is not going to be changed by this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This initiative is one that we’ve discussed at the regional leaders meeting. In fact, when we had our regional leaders meeting in the Sahtu, we have also put on paper the other, internally for the government on consultation processes and each department will be using that process as we deal with the issues around aboriginal governments of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the fact is there is no change in our direction at the negotiation tables. The matters that are being discussed at the Deline table, the Tulita table, the Gwich’in table, the Inuvialuit table or the Dehcho table have consistently been on the table. None of those factors have been removed. What we are trying to do through this process is come up with all the information necessary for the next steps as Mr. Miltenberger laid out. Once this Assembly agrees what steps to take forward and if we are going to make some more changes, then we will take that to the appropriate tables -- I...

Mr. Speaker, this process that is being undertaken to review how we deliver programs and services in the Northwest Territories is not one that will stop, interfere or hinder with any self-government negotiation that is happening to date or in the future. The simple fact is, for self-governments, once they negotiate a claim, they would then draw down that authority where they have negotiated. So if it is particular with education or health and social services or justice, those areas that they have negotiated would be drawn down to the degree there were signatories to an agreement between the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the 16th Legislative Assembly first met to decide on our priorities for this government, we produced a plan we called “Northerners Working Together.” It’s a title that reflects the realities of our consensus system and an ideal we all need to be trying to achieve on a day-to-day basis. More than that, the people of the NWT expect it of us. They expect us to be working together to set the direction and establish the plans that will best meet their current needs and lay the foundation for a better future. Sometimes it’s relatively easy to live up to...

Mr. Speaker, as Minister Lee has pointed out, the work that has been done, the principle and the intent of the program, the input of Members of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, as Minister Lee has pointed out, as convention we will be voting on that, but for the record as well, when the talk and when the e-mails went around on this issue and as the gaps were identified, I made a call to Mr. Abernethy and Ms. Bisaro about the program and what was needed, got some advice from them as to what…(inaudible)…or looking at delays, so seeing the work that’s been done, we look forward to working...

There is ongoing work around our subsidy programs that deals with families in need across the Territories. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment has an ongoing review of their program and the cost of living in our communities and look at making adjustments throughout the year. As for the commercial subsidy issue of when that timing will come forward, as I stated, I’ll have the Minister of FMBS and Finance come up with a response and provide that to committee. There is ongoing work on our subsidy programs that we have in place that helps offset the cost of living today in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The motion that was passed by the Assembly was looked at. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment along with the FMB reviewed the numbers and looked at that and looked at what options were available throughout our existing structure that we have in place, for example, our Income Support Program, and that was the avenue that was chosen to do any work that would cover off the basics for those who need most. As well, we tried to focus on other initiatives to bring the cost of living down in our smaller communities.