Jackie Jacobson

Just a comment. You know, we have 33 communities in the Northwest Territories, and from what I see here, four of them are getting everything. It’s not right.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Background

The 14th Legislative Assembly initiated the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act (SCROLA) in 2001. SCROLA tabled its comprehensive final report in 2003. The report identified 65 recommendations and suggested implementation and investment schedules for these recommendations. The GNWT tabled a response to this report in 2003.

Amendments to the Official Languages Act were made during the last session of the 14th Legislative Assembly. These changes introduced an Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board, an Official Languages Board, and new...

Calculating and comparing the cost of food in communities such as Sachs Harbour — it’s a large centre — can often be complex and tedious. Various models can be used along with certain programs. However, results of these are always the same: it is impossible for an average family in Nunakput in the NWT on an average income to practise healthy eating.

Mr. Speaker, my region of Nunakput is by far the most expensive in the region. If it comes to the cost of eating healthy — the situation being equal dollar for dollar — people in Nunakput live in poverty conditions more than any other riding in the...

I just want to let the Minister know that’s another four years. I won’t be here in four years; you never know. So, again, it’s not fair. Where’s the fairness?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Sitting here, looking at the list that we have of the infrastructure acquisitions for ’09–10 and ’11–12, I do not see…. Basically, pretty bleak for the communities. We are not getting anything — again. I said it last week and put it in a Member’s statement. There are people having to share a bathroom at the Mangilaluk School, teachers. I see them eating lunches in the hallways. But then, you know, we can go and build a $110 million school, quoting it out of the newspaper today, and communities are being left out.

I mean, we are here. No fairness, again. I said it last week...

The large community and small isolated communities are the same. Has it come to active living barriers, or is this government going to seriously implement realistic measures to obtain affordable, accessible and reliable food for all Northerners? We owe this to our elders, our residents and our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Years ago an elder told me that taking care of our youth was like building or taking care of your hunting equipment. Without this, things continue to deteriorate quickly to a point where survival is impossible. The healthy survival of communities relies on our youth. These are an elder’s words of wisdom I try to promote whenever possible.

Mr. Speaker, the youth of Nunakput face the hardest challenges in the entire territory, possibly the entire country. Challenges such as few recreational sports, the high cost of supplies, the high cost of transportation and no adequate...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I am pleased that the council encourages literacy excellence and rewards outstanding accomplishments. I am very deeply honoured that this award went to Mardy.

Mr. Speaker, I also would like to wish you and your family and all my colleagues a happy Thanksgiving and good quality time with our families this weekend.

One other thing is my goddaughter, Cristie Anderson, who is recovering from knee surgery in Stanton Territorial Hospital. I will be going to visit her today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I wish to devote my Member’s statement to recognizing appointments and awards in the Nunakput communities of Sachs Harbour and Tuktoyaktuk.

Mr. Speaker, first I wish to congratulate Mr. Joey Carpenter on his appointment to the Inuvialuit/Inupiat Polar Bear Joint Agreement Commission. This appointment is another milestone in Mr. Carpenter’s long, extensive public service to his community and to the people of the North. I know that Mr. Carpenter is honoured to accept this appointment, but the people of Nunakput and the North are equally honoured to have him represent...

To answer, Mr. Minister, $4.6 million is a lot of money. Probably you get that on the interest rate on your $100 million school we’re building. All I’m going to say, again, is that it’s not fair. We’ve got to do something about it. If it wasn’t for the federal monies, I wouldn’t be getting anything. Thank you. That’s all I have to say.