Frederick Blake Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, moved into Committee of the Whole today.

---Unanimous consent granted

WHEREAS Section 40.2(1) of the Public Service Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint an Equal Pay Commissioner to exercise the powers and perform the duties set out in this act;

AND WHEREAS the appointment of the current Equal Pay Commissioner, Ms. Nitya Iyer, expires on June 30, 2012;

AND WHEREAS Ms. Nitya Iyer has expressed an interest in reappointment for a third term as Equal Pay Commissioner;

AND WHEREAS the Board of Management has considered Ms. Iyer’s expression of interest and is prepared to recommend her reappointment for a...

Nothing further.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am just wondering, I noticed there is no funding for the Northern Leaders Forum. From what I understand, in the last government I believe that was a very good place to gather for many of the leaders and also the Premier. I would like to see that continue if not this year then hopefully we can plan for next year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

No further questions at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. It was brought up earlier today, but I’d like to bring it up again, on the elders’ long-term care. It always seems like we run into barriers with the wording. If it’s not wording, it’s policy. It seems like we have to find another definition to be suitable for the communities and their needs, referring to maybe an elders care facility that is needed in the Mackenzie Delta. Without the need of a nurse on hand 24 hours a day, but you know, that’s what the communities want, as the Minister mentioned. But I think that we need to start planning. We have over 300 elders over...

If the numbers show that students from small communities are not succeeding in Inuvik, will the Minister take the steps necessary to provide a boarding home by this fall? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The high school years are difficult for many students. It can even be tough for sensible and smart young people who get strong support from their parents. The reality is that teenagers face some big challenges and a lot of pressure. I’m sure we all remember if we think about it. I fear those challenges were forgotten when the system was designed to support students who have to leave home to complete high school.

This is still happening in our small communities such as Tsiigehtchic and Sachs Harbour. Those students go to high school in Inuvik and have to live with other...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I noticed there’s nothing under the amortization. I noticed for every other department that’s taken into account, but I haven’t seen that for this one. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to commend the Executive on what was mentioned; the single-window service centres that are in some of the communities there. I know there’s been great success in Aklavik and I’m glad to see that extending to another five communities, including Tsiigehtchic. I think that’s a very good initiative by the department and I look forward to the outcome of that.