Floyd Roland

I guess clearly the 3P process or work that’s beginning is separate from an initiative like this. We’re looking at a partnership potentially that could help us. As well, I’ve said to other groups out there, for example the regional leadership, if they want to put a proposal in, we’d be prepared to look at it. We don’t know the levels of partnership that would be involved. But at this time, as I’ve committed to Members and said a number of times, the initial review of the proposal that was brought forward I’ll get a response, I will go back to Cabinet and then committee before any further...

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...

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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are at a time that the Northwest Territories needs leadership; leadership that is ready to make tough choices...

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...and represents all the people, that looks at the big picture.

Mr. Speaker, I know that much of what has been discussed was about my conduct, both personal and professional. I have been told, quite some time ago, that it would happen to me too. I remember sitting in a Minister’s office many years ago when that was said to me. I left there and I thought, what are you talking about, that that would happen to me too? As I questioned him, he...

The first fundamental program we have in place for families in need would be through our Income Security Program. That food basket is looked at and reviewed by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment throughout the year. I don’t have the timing of exactly when that next review and adjustments will happen, but that budget is adjusted, they do review on the cost of living of our communities and adjust on that basis.

For the commercial subsidy piece and how that goes out, as I’ve committed, the Minister of Finance and FMBS will respond to the Member on that issue.

I wouldn’t want to put words in the Finance Minister’s mouth on this matter, but my understanding as we work through this, as the Member has stated, that a commercial subsidy is being reviewed. They are prepared to go to committee on what structure they’ll put in place to see how that would be passed on to try to ensure it would be passed on to the people who live in our communities through that structure. I don’t have a timeline. I will have the Minister of Finance prepare a response for the Member.