Frederick Blake Jr.

WHEREAS Section 91 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint a Conflict of Interest Commissioner to exercise the powers and perform the duties set out in the act;

AND WHEREAS the appointment of the current Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Mr. Gerald Gerrand, expires November 30, 2013;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly considers the appointment of a Conflict of Interest Commissioner essential to exercise the powers and perform the duties under the act;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of brief comments. I know we have a long way to go here for the education system. Some things I would like to see in the future budgets are proper facilities for extra curriculum; for example, automotive shops in our smaller communities. I was very surprised, as I mentioned last year, we are building a multi-million dollar school in Inuvik, yet we didn’t include a facility or a portion that had an automotive shop in there. I know they do have a small engine shop that’s nearby, but times have changed and we need to offer these programs to get our students...

Throughout the public consultation process, the committee heard a number of issues that it chose not to address through amendments, but still deserve to be recognized as a high priority for the department in the implementation of the new act.

The overwhelming majority of public presentations and written submissions called upon the committee to recommend that the same consultative, collaborative process used to develop Bill 3 apply to the development of the regulations. Members of both the public and the committee expressed concern that Bill 3 contains significant regulation-making powers, and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It seems policy is the problem here. Will the Minister and the department work to change the policy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That answered part of my second question, but I will ask the Minister, will the Minister… I actually find it very funny that we put a wellness worker, one wellness worker into the community but we won’t put a licenced practical nurse. So I’d like to ask the Minister what is the Department of Health and Social Services and the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority doing to remedy this situation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For many years the community of Tsiigehtchic has been asking for a full-time nurse. The request made it into the Health and Social Services 2010-2011 Business Plan; however, the Minister of Health reneged on that commitment.

Also in this House, in February of 2013 another promise was made, but we are still awaiting action, Mr. Speaker.

The lack of housing has been mentioned as a barrier but this is no longer a problem, for the community has set aside housing specifically for a nurse.

Imagine the feeling of insecurity not to have a health care practitioner close by. Imagine...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, October 21, 2013, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that pursuant to Section 91 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories the appointment of Mr. David Phillip Jones as Conflict of Interest Commissioner, effective December 1, 2013.

As I mentioned earlier, the community set aside housing for a nurse. Will the Minister work with the community leaders to find a way to put a nurse in that house?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Since February 2013, what action has been taken to secure a year-round licenced practical nurse in Tsiigehtchic? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure today to welcome back my colleagues to the fourth sitting of the 17th Legislative Assembly. Also, a speedy recovery to Mr. Bouchard. I hope to see you back soon.

As MLAs we come together once again to represent our ridings and to do what we can for our people back home.

We are gathered here for the next three weeks, making decisions that will have positive impacts on the Northwest Territories, as was highlighted by the Premier earlier today.

At this time, please allow me to send my thoughts and prayers to families in the Mackenzie Delta who have lost...