Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Assembly needs to prioritize the importance of our community members who wish to take programs to help themselves and their families to live a healthier lifestyle. The recent shutdown of the Nats’ejee K’eh Centre in Hay River has caused great concern for Northerners. As a result, clients are now looking at similar programs in the South.

Clients who wish to lead sober lives and who wish to go for treatment and counselling services should be given the highest priority. Rather, they are told to stay sober for one month and then we’ll send you to treatment. In most...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a couple of brief comments I wanted to make on the Wildlife Act. I would like to start off by commending this government for implementing many of the land claim rights and inherent rights of Aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories. The land claim groups have had a very difficult challenge over the last 20 years implementing their land claims and this is one area that the land claim groups have struggled with over the years. I know this government has been working with those Aboriginal governments with many of the issues that have arisen.

In the...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the second time.

Bill 26 modifies the allowance and expense entitlements of Members of the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 26, Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Brittany and Lucyanne Kendo, originally from Tsiigehtchic. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with great honour and much excitement today that I congratulate the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute on their most recent Group Category Award presented by the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

The GSCI displays a fine role in developing and supporting cultural heritage. I am proud that such a group can celebrate, promote and preserve the arts, culture and heritage as defined in the eligibility for this award.

What great timing as the GSCI celebrates its 20th anniversary this fall, such an honourable way to recognize...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize my constituents: Alestine Andre, from Tsiigehtchic; Bertha Francis and Robert Alexie Sr., of Fort McPherson; along with Ingrid Kritsch, who are the recipients of the Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Award. Thank you.

I’d like to ask the Minister if he will commit to work with the community to secure funding and enter into a long-term lease in order for the arena to be constructed when the time comes.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two Pages from Tsiigehtchic, Danieka Lennie and Jared Blake, my nephew. I would just like to thank them for all their hard work this week. They really enjoyed their experience and I hope to see you back. Thank you.