Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s my understanding that in 2005 the Human Rights Commission recommended the inclusion of unrelated criminal records as protected grounds for discrimination for employment. I also understand that it wasn’t supported at that time because there was a concern about increased litigation, that it could increase litigation substantially as the definition for “unrelated” was felt to be too broad and subjective.

I feel that was the wrong thing to do at the time. There are three other jurisdictions that offer such protection: Quebec, British Columbia and the Yukon. All three...

During the winter session the Premier made a commitment to Regular Members to meet with residents of the Northwest Territories throughout the Northwest Territories to provide some clarity and information on the devolution process and what devolution means to the residents of the Northwest Territories. Could the Premier tell us what steps he has taken to meet with the residents of the Northwest Territories to provide this information and clarity? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, during the winter session, in response to questions from Members, the Premier agreed to meet with interested parties throughout the Northwest Territories to provide both information and clarity on what devolution of public lands and resources means to the Northwest Territories.

To that end, this evening the Yellowknife MLAs will be holding a public information session for all residents of Yellowknife with the Premier of the Northwest Territories. This will be an opportunity for all Yellowknife residents to ask the Premier their questions about devolution, and an opportunity for all...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a couple of constituents from the Great Slave riding. First I’d like to recognize Ms. Jan Stirling. I’d also like to recognize Mr. Mark Bogan.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

In my poll, one of the questions was: Do you support the GNWT moving forward with negotiations on a final devolution agreement? The most popular response, with 42 percent of the vote, was yes, but make every reasonable effort to include all Aboriginal governments and organizations in the negotiations. Could the Premier please let me know what steps his office is taking to include Aboriginal governments and organizations in the negotiations of a final Devolution Agreement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Premier and they are in follow-up from my Member’s statement earlier today. Could the Premier please give us an update on the status of the devolution negotiations between the GNWT and the other signatories of the AIP and the federal government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On January 26th of this year the Premier of the Northwest Territories signed an agreement-in-principle on devolution of public lands and resources to the Government of the Northwest Territories from the federal government.

On February 2, 2011, I held my regular constituency meeting for residents of the Great Slave riding. I hold one prior to every session. One of the issues which was discussed at length during that meeting was the recent AIP on devolution in the Northwest Territories. Clearly, there are many varied opinions out there on this topic. To that end, during...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I now move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are in follow-up to my Member’s statement, also about midwifery services in the Northwest Territories. It’s going to be slightly different. I’ll try really hard not to ask the same questions. I’m wondering if the Minister could give me a quick, Coles Notes description of the intended purpose and scope of the review that will be done on the Midwifery Program in the Northwest Territories.