Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we’re speaking about poverty, which is an issue in all our communities across the NWT. In the small communities it can be very difficult for people to get out of poverty because there are not as many opportunities. Here are some numbers that speak for themselves.

The employment rate in the territory is 67 percent, but in many of our small communities that rate drops into the 30 percent range. At the same time we have 19 percent of households in core need across the Northwest Territories. What this tells me is that if we can get more people into the workforce and if...

Are there any other options the government can consider to make sure that Northerners are top priority when it comes to hiring?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I asked a question earlier, the access road to Willow River. I see it in the 20-year plan that is actually within the first five years. I would just like to get reassurance from if the Minister that it will be in the plans for the next four years. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier has promised to take action to address low employment rates in our small communities with large projects. In Aklavik the employment rate is 36 percent. That is way below the territorial average of 67 percent. There are simply more people who need work than there are jobs. We do have one project that is on our government’s red flag priority list A and that is the all-weather access road to the Willow River gravel source. When will construction begin on this project during the 17th Assembly?

At this time I don’t have any further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I take this time today to congratulate the newly elected leaders from our municipal communities in the NWT. Elections for mayor and councillors were held on December 12, 2011, and I look forward to meeting the new community leaders in the coming year.

I trust that our territorial and community governments will work positively towards a healthier and stronger territory. I want to extend to all municipalities my best wishes throughout the term and I, again, look forward to meeting and working with all the leaders.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I haven’t had the opportunity to thank the department for the new learning centre in Tsiigehtchic, a job well done in the 16th Legislative Assembly and the people really appreciate that.

I just want to move on to the school in Aklavik. From our updates, it hasn’t been on the priority list and the school is between 30 and 40 years old. I’d like to see that put on the priority list as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had an acknowledgement that I would like to address.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier has promised to take action to address the low employment rate in our small communities with large projects. In Aklavik the employment rate is 36 percent. That is below the territory’s average, which is 67 percent. There is simply more people who need work than there are jobs, but we do have one project that is on our government’s red flag priority list A. That is the all-weather access road to the Willow River gravel source.

Honourable Premier, when will construction begin on this project during the 17th Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge the students throughout the NWT attending school and preparing for their individual Christmas concerts. Our families enjoy gathering at the school and take pride in watching their children take part in many skits, the Christmas stories and the carolling throughout the evening.

In many of our communities it is the time to dress up in traditional clothing, new mukluks, new mitts and smaller traditional gifts from their mother, grandmother or aunties. The highlight of the night is when Santa shows up with treats for everyone.

I would like to...