Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s time to tell the federal government “show me the money.” What are we doing to get ready? What is the Minister’s department doing to get ready for this future project?

It’s a good day today for Nunakput. This is a good news story. Will the pipeline go ahead now and when can we look forward to the go-ahead start-up date?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During this term as MLA I always start my Member’s statements at the beginning of session to honour our loved ones that have passed away. At the end of each session I honour the accomplishments of our loved ones, especially our youth.

All across the Territories schools and families in communities will be beginning to gather to celebrate the academic accomplishments of their graduates. In our small and remote communities graduates are celebrated by everyone.

In the community of Ulukhaktok the following graduates will be honoured on June 8, 2011: Ms. Gail Ogina, Jerry...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. We see arrears piling up in our public housing in the small communities and across the Territory. It’s because even people who are working cannot afford the so-called economic rent that they’re being charged by the Housing Corporation. Economic rent is so high it actually encourages people to give up working and go to income support. We have to do just the opposite.

We have to encourage people to keep working. They have to see that they are getting ahead. Economies in small communities are weak, with a few jobs. Everything is expensive, especially...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You have heard me speak many times about the price of food in our communities. The high price of food is one reason for kids sometimes going hungry in the morning. Families don’t always have the money to buy the food. I am sad to say this happens in our Territory, Mr. Speaker. Hungry children are hard-pressed to do well in school while their minds are on their stomachs. It is hard enough to deliver a good education to our children as it is without distracting them with hunger. Educators and parents say feeding students who show up for school hungry is a big help. It may...

When will the social impact funds of the $500 million be available to go ahead?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Can the Minister confirm that the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline has received final approval today? Can the Minister elaborate on that?

Thank you. Will the Premier contact the advisory board with the federal program to help him improve the Food Subsidy Program in regard to the costing and showing the prices right in the stores? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the two Pages we had up from Sachs Harbour this week working with us here in the House: Shelby Lucas and Ms. Leigha Keogak.

Thank you. Once it’s given to the retailers, we have to have something in place that’s going to police them in regard to the pricing and making sure the subsidy is getting to the people, especially in the small communities because it’s the highest cost of food in the Northwest Territories.

What else can the government do directly to help bring down the price of basic foods in the remote communities? Thank you.