Jackie Jacobson

Mr. Speaker, to the Minister. The outfitting industry is an important sector in Tourism and Industry, and outfitters in my communities are going to be affected by the decisions. What will ITI do to help us?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today it is surprising to see one of my constituents, Mr. Ernest Pokiak, and his daughter Violet Noksana. Welcome to the House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to use my Member’s statement to discuss the decision made by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to ban the importation of polar bear hides into their country.

In May 2008 the United States government listed the polar bear species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This action prevents importation of polar bear hides into their country. Because of this provision under the U.S. Marine Mammal Act, this decision will effectively wipe out the sport hunting industry in the communities in my riding.

U.S. groups are exploiting the polar...

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.

Mr. Speaker, just to let the Minister know, I look forward to working with him in the endeavour.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I almost want to ask the Minister of MACA for some stuff already. But not today. That’s for tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, just following up on my Member’s statement today regarding Industry, Tourism and Investment with a few questions…. We know that the U.S. government has banned importation of polar bear hides into the country. What is the GNWT going to do to get this decision reversed?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. This decision made by the United States government will have serious impacts on my people.

I would like to thank Minister Bob McLeod for asking me to join him this summer in Washington with my colleague Mr. Krutko. In Washington we met with various senators and congressmen in order to share my people’s message that the polar bear populations in Canada are healthy.

I know that with the pending U.S. election we are unable to get any changes to the ruling, but I want to let my people know that I will continue to work with the Minister of Industry...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have questions for the Minister of Education regarding the overcrowding of students and staff at Mangilaluk School.

Can the Minister commit to visiting my community of Tuktoyaktuk to see this firsthand after session? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last year I have had the honour as the MLA of Nunakput to travel across this beautiful territory. Since then I have seen many stunning schools. Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Speaker; the students deserve these comprehensive facilities, but so do we.

This is the shame of the government. The community schools are supposed to be a focal point of the community, where activities and gatherings and, most importantly, where learning takes place, but when a school lacks even the most basic standards, the whole community suffers. That, Mr. Speaker, is wrong.

Mr. Speaker...

Thank you, Mr. Minister. You almost answered my second question. I was going to invite you to a community meeting in the community of Tuk to meet with the residents and talk about the situation at Mangilaluk School.

Just to have it clear and on the record, you’re going to be coming to the community of Tuk first, and then we’ll go out to visit all the other communities.