Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Earning your driver's licence is a milestone for young people and a stepping stone to many skilled jobs, but highways, Mr. Speaker, are not the only way to get around. Strong and comprehensive transportation capacity liberates and empowers communities and individuals. For example:

operating four-wheelers and snowmobiles helps us access the land and our traditional practices;

barges bring essential supplies into our communities;

ferries like the Louis Cardinal, which makes stops at three landing sites, connect communities to each other for...

WHEREAS Section 23(1) of the Human Rights Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint a director of Human Rights to carry out the responsibilities set out in the act;

AND WHEREAS the Board of Management is tasked with recommending an individual to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make the recommendation to the Commissioner;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that the Legislative Assembly recommends the appointment of Ms. Deborah McLeod of Yellowknife as...

Mr. Speaker, I know over the last year here, the department has been working to find another possible gravel source to crush for this project here. I'd just like to ask the Minister have they found adequate resources to fulfill the rest of the remaining work?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during this summer in the Delta region we had a lot of rain, similar to the last number of years. It was looking like the widening on the Dempster would not be completed, but, Mr. Speaker, luckily in September we had about three weeks of great weather and the majority of the work was completed.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to take this time to thank the Department of Transportation for resurfacing the road between Tsiigehtchic and Wrangling River. Mr. Speaker, this has made the highway much safer. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot more work to be done on this...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a few comments here. You know, I have noticed spending in my riding has gone down a little compared to last year. No Member likes to see things like this, but you know we are happy that we are getting a couple new units in Fort McPherson because I've always said, you know, the housing does do a good job replacing units, but you know we have to start planning ahead for adding to our stock. It's always a challenge. There's a huge waiting list in both Fort McPherson and Aklavik. As we move forward, I hope we could achieve that through this Assembly.

Also, I'm very...

Mr. Speaker, I know over the summer I received a number of concerns for possibly going on Gwich'in land. So once a source has been identified, will the Minister ensure that the department has a community meeting in Fort McPherson just to give an update to the residents?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a follow-up to my Member's statement; I have a couple of questions for the Minister of Transportation. As I mentioned in my statement, most of the work was completed on the widening of the Dempster, so I'd like to ask the Minister: what is the work planned for next season on the Dempster as the widening from the border to the Peel is near completion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to that information. You know, as I mentioned, these three workers have recently all just got their certificates for Early Childhood and, you know, they're looking at hopefully a career and you know ongoing, you know, and to be cut short by this, we cannot allow this to happen, and I will just look forward to that information.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, over the last, I believe, year and a half, junior kindergarten has raised a lot of concerns either through the Aboriginal Head Start program, daycare programs throughout the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I did ask the Minister this question last month during our business plans, but I'd like to ask them again. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister how will junior kindergarten affect the funding of the Aboriginal Head Start program? If it does, can the...

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. After each general comment, I'll allow time for the Minister to respond, and we'll proceed that way for the general comments. Once we get into the document more, we can have more of a back-and-forth discussion. Minister McLeod.