Jackie Jacobson

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...

Mr. Speaker, he says he’s giving us enough time. I have a pretty big riding, and the travel times are out. I have to go travel for two weeks, so I hope he does give us enough time to present this to my constituents.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am honoured to have constituents all the way from Tuktoyaktuk, my good friends Francis Andersen and his brother David. Andersens, welcome to the house. Also Charlene Steen and her daughter Kailey. Also Mrs. Shannon Steen. Her father was a past Minister and MLA for Nunakput, Mr. Vince Steen. Welcome to the House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have listened to Members talk during the previous days about concerns of residents in the communities. I have attended many community meetings and listened to briefings about programs and services of the government. The Minister of Finance has released a discussion paper called Revenue Options. It is unlikely the residents of Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk will read this discussion paper.

The Minister of Finance held a round table discussion for two days last week in Yellowknife. I know that no one from any of my communities participated in this...

Mr. Speaker, just to remind the government that Nunakput has all the oil and gas to drill that proposed pipeline. To the Minister of Finance: will the Minister agree to consult with Nunakput residents and organizations before he makes revenue decisions?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. We doubt that if the GNWT collects more money from its citizens any of the money will find its way to Nunakput communities. It seems to be the right time to ask, to let the Minister know what we think. We think we are not able to pay more taxes on our fuel, on our groceries, on our incomes. We think that would be very unfair. We need to take interest in our small communities to help us maintain our services and make it possible for families to live in northern communities.

Today I want to talk about the high cost of living in the communities of Nunakput and the devastating effect it’s having on my elders. I watch elders at the store in Tuk struggling to pay for their groceries. I help out when I can, Mr. Speaker, but I can only afford occasional bags of groceries that will only last an elder a day or two. The situation is only going to get worse as these same elders will soon have to pay higher bills for their home heating fuel and their electricity.

We are failing as a government. We have encouraged the people to move into their homes, and now, with all the...

So the 50-50.... The territorial government will be putting monies towards the project, correct?

That is all.