Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Only a handful of communities in the Northwest Territories are small enough not to have a high school in their communities. Whatever the rationale this government gives, it’s still wrong that our students and families receive no support with student accommodations.

In the past, many MLAs from small communities have also tried to get this government to provide more support for high school students, with no success. We have provided suggestions, options such as high school grades in our small communities, with no success.

In years past, more and more students get lagged...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Basically I’m happy to see this bill come forward, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act. I’m in full support of it. The communities in our riding that do have cell service, it’s just good safety for the children in the communities that we represent. I’m in full support of the bill.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, the cost is very minimal to provide housing in Inuvik, especially when you have a house lined up and ready for us to come in with students from the community. I wonder if the Minister would get in touch with the Beaufort-Delta Education Council with myself to see how far we can take this. School is about nine days away from starting in the Beaufort-Delta. Is it possible to get something done? It doesn’t cost as much as a bridge.

---Laughter

I have been here for three and a half years and I have been hearing that same answer regarding my Member’s statement that I have brought up every session regarding students in Sachs Harbour. The final decision is your decision. You could make a Minister’s directive to do it. I am asking the Minister why can’t he help the smaller communities, especially Sachs Harbour that needs a teacher in the community this year. If not, we should get a house in Inuvik slated to have students under a boarding home for students from Sachs Harbour alone for a safe place to live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to welcome Mr. Frank Pokiak from my home community of Tuktoyaktuk. Frank is the chairman of the Inuvialuit Game Council. Welcome to the House, Frank.

I’d also like to welcome Larry and Yvonne Carpenter, constituents from Sachs Harbour. Larry is the chair of the Wildlife Management Advisory Council for the Northwest Territories.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to welcome Andrew, Eva, Alex, and Mary Ruth to the House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table six letters before the House today, all with concerns with the recent changes to the Wildlife Act.

Mr. Speaker, the first letter is from the Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board to the chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure on Bill 9, the Wildlife Act.

The second letter, Mr. Speaker, is the Wildlife Management Advisory Council of the Northwest Territories, dated July 29, 2011, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Wildlife Management Advisory Committee on Bill 9, the Wildlife Act.

Mr. Speaker, the third one is...

I haven’t given up on the students in my riding. Maybe this government has. Will this government conduct a thorough review on why so many high school students from the small, isolated communities are dropping out on behalf of the small communities committee? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Will the Minister ensure that the families get help in reaching their agreements, and deal with the actual arrears, and direct staff to help the people, the taxpayers and the people that they’re serving and stuff? That’s who they work for, as well, as part of this government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement today was about housing conditions in the Northwest Territories, especially the community of Paulatuk. What are the plans for dealing with families who are evicted and at risk of eviction in Nunakput communities? What can the Minister tell me that we can tell these people, where they have nowhere to go?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s good to hear that we’ve been through this -- myself and you, Mr. Minister -- in regard to this issue in regard to the payback for the community. I know there are some good, outstanding communities that aren’t paying their rent, but most of those communities are doing good jobs.

We’re talking about a community of probably about 300 people, 276 people. Minimal jobs – government – that’s the only thing they’re relying on. Can the Minister turn over the funding and responsibility to the local hamlet so they can run it?