Frederick Blake Jr.

Colleagues, before we begin, I would like to recognize former president of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council, Mr. Jozef Carnogursky. Welcome to the Chamber.

Good afternoon, colleagues. February is Indigenous Languages Month in the Northwest Territories. It is a time to acknowledge the importance of language and culture to the wellbeing and resilience of Indigenous peoples around the North. It's also a day to recognize the many language champions working to address the language crisis facing Indigenous peoples. To our interpreters, thank you for the invaluable services you provide every day. Mahsi.

Col...

Colleagues, before we begin, I'd like to recognize Senator Dennis Patterson, former government leader, Minister, and Member of the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Assembly from Frobisher Bay, or Iqaluit. Welcome.

Colleagues, before we begin, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize some visitors to our proceedings today. I am pleased to welcome the Grade 3 class from Ecole Itlo. It's great to see students here learning about consensus government. Thank you for joining us today. Mahsi.

Good afternoon colleagues. Wasn’t that a great way to start our sitting? Please join me in thanking the Kole Crook Fiddlers for starting things off here today and, especially their great leader, Linda Duford.

Applause

I also want to thank Sarah Cleary for our opening prayer today. Thank you.

Applause

Colleagues, we last convened in this Chamber on November 3, 2022, and it is great to be back. I know you have been busy with your duties as members, Ministers, and with committees, but I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and are feeling refreshed and prepared for this sitting. I know...

Thank you, Madam Chair. With me today we have our sergeantatarms, Brian Thagard. Also Kim Wickens, our deputy clerk, Members and precinct services.

Sorry, Madam Chair. Just closing comments here. I'd like to thank the Members for their ongoing support. But seriously I'd just like to thank our witnesses, Ms. Wickens and also Mr. Brian Thagard, our sergeantatarms. This'll be his last budget he'll be presenting after 30some odd years. So big hand of applause. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Good question there, Member for Frame Lake. The proposed upgrade is to ensure that accessibility for employees and members of the public is a priority in creating barrierfree washrooms. Thank you.

Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Some of the improvements that will be conducted are actually on both floors, which includes design features that convert the two existing nonaccessible washrooms at the end of the executive hallway into full accessibility accessible facilities and to ensure sufficient space for the upgrades, two additional rooms in the immediate area, janitor's closet, and Committee Room A storage room will be configured into new washroom spaces. Thank you.

Yesterday, the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services rose on a Point of Order in response to a statement by the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. The Minister believes the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh was out of order. She said he made allegations against her and imputed false motives. The Minister relied on Rule 3.2(3) subsections (h) and (i).

When deciding whether language used in this Chamber is unparliamentary, Speaker Lafferty, on June 23rd, 2017 said that the Speaker must take "...into account the tone, manner and intention of the Member speaking; the person to whom the words at...