Inuvik Boot Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I guess this is the one time I get to speak in Committee of the Whole to a motion. That reflects more on the Assembly as a whole and as Mrs. Groenewegen has stated, the verification of individuals who would sign on the website is going to be absolutely critical. The one thing I’ve seen, and I’m sure all of us have seen in this new world and this new technology that is ever changing, is there are so many opportunities and things happen so fast and there is a certain anonymity to the Internet world, as they say, that would be somewhat difficult to prove...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know earlier in my Minister’s statement I went on to recognize much of the work of Mr. Whitford and his accomplishments and service to the people of the Northwest Territories. I can say from my own experience, being elected first in 1995, I did have the pleasure of serving with Mr. Whitford in the 14th Legislative Assembly as well as watching him do his work diligently in this Assembly as the Sergeant-at-Arms. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, the opportunity to work with Mr. Whitford has allowed me to build a friendship with someone who has such experience...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

---Unanimous consent granted

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the Legislative Assembly expresses its sincere gratitude to Mr. Anthony W.J. (Tony) Whitford for his dedicated and exemplary service to this House; and further, that the Legislative Assembly designate Anthony W.J. (Tony) Whitford as an honourary officer of this Legislative Assembly with permission to enter the Chamber and sit at the Table.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question that was put forward to the courts and subsequently, as Members are aware, that we’ve withdrawn that question. It was after a meeting with aboriginal leadership across the Territories that we took that into consideration and the work that we do with the regional leadership. In the discussions with the leadership across the Northwest Territories it was felt that the better avenue was to sit down together and work through this arrangement, and that’s what we’ve done. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Mr. Speaker, the chief negotiator is an experienced Northerner and a past representative of the Legislative Assembly in his own time. I think that’s one of the reasons why, with his experience in the North, that may help in the deliberations that are to follow. We’re going to stay in close contact with him. We have our consultation framework that’s in place and we’d be prepared to share that with the chief negotiator on the file and see what work comes from that. Again, we’ll stay in touch with the regional leaders, as well, with this issue as it develops. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member raises a valid point on the interaction of the land claims in the Northwest Territories, how they’re protected, and any changes to any regimes that are in place need to be paid attention to.

As the Government of the Northwest Territories, we’ve developed a consultation strategy and a consultation framework with First Nations and aboriginal governments here in the Northwest Territories to look at any program that might impact on those types of agreements. The federal government has just initiated its work to look at doing some work around the regulatory...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 14)

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of areas where we could provide assistance and support when it comes to a new council coming into place. For example, financial advice could be provided to them. We also have board training available to newly elected leaders. As well, as I had stated earlier, about the contract municipal services. As well, through the School of Community Government, opportunities there to go and have staff training of that new council. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 14)

Mr. Speaker, I know the Member is very good for raising a lot of rhetoric in this House and continues to do so. On the serious side of the equation, there are roles we play in this Assembly, there are directives that are given, and there are initiatives that can be taken. If we feel that the authority has mismanaged in its business, then we would have to take a more serious look not just at one particular case but the overall authority management and decide what needs to be done. If it is a continuance or a reoccurrence, was there oversight on this?

It was, in fact, as we heard earlier today...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 14)

I think this is one of, well, maybe not the first time, but rarely do we have brought up in the sitting of the Legislative Assembly who should be the chair of a working group or committee.

We will sit down, as I said. They are trying to pull the people together. If it’s co-chairs that go through it, we’ll go through it.

Since it’s been raised about the work of a Minister, well, the Minister was directed to deliver some work. That work has been debated for quite some time. It’s Cabinet overall that looks at those policies with input from Members. Again, the same process will be used. We will...