Jackson Lafferty
Statements in Debates
Minister alluded to a proposal. She's waiting on the proposal. We need to be proactive as the GNWT to engage with the federal government, similar to Nunavut. Nunavut's been proactive, and here we are. Are we going to be missing out on almost $75 million from the federal government? I'm dismayed. I'm disappointed that we're at this stage after almost five years. TRC recommendation came out and here we are still talking. We should be putting those into actions. I have a question on the Nunavut's ability to, I guess, secure the funding. How is it that Nunavut was able to secure $50 million in...
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I spoke about the addiction treatment centre. We understand that there is a new treatment centre happening in Nunavut. [Translation ends] [Microphone turned off]… be that way. I refer again to the funding partnership the territory has secured with Ottawa. It's for $75 million treatment centre in Iqaluit. It comes in the wake of Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations. Mr. Speaker, what has our government, the Government of the Northwest Territories, done to follow up on that call to action number 20 of the TRC. Number 20 called for new treatment...
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I'd like to acknowledge the interpreters that we have here. For myself, for Tlicho, the interpreters are Maro Sundberg and Harriet Paul. I'd like to thank them. I have to say we do speak the language, and we do pass on the message. I'd like to also acknowledge the rest of the interpreters. Thank you. [Translation ends]
If we can find $82 million for a 12-kilometre fibre optic line down the Mackenzie Valley, I'm sure we can find it, too, for my region. Why can't we find an extra little bit that would help households, schools, and nursing stations and businesses to now enjoy the benefits of this line that their very own tax dollars built, for my riding in Monfwi?
Masi, Mr. Speaker. Honourable Caroline Wawzonek told this House on June 3rd that COVID made digital connectivity even more important and also urgent. She said, and I quote, "I certainly do expect I will be making faster progress on this and maybe would have before the COVID happened." Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask Minister Wawzonek about the faster progress that she mentions. What are the implications of the faster progress for Internet and Whati, Gameti, and Wekweeti? Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk about the Worldwide Web today. In these socially distanced times, with travel and human contact limited by COVID, the Worldwide Web takes on an even greater importance. The Honourable Caroline Wawzonek touched on this on June 3, 2020, when she mentioned the heightened importance of digital technology in a COVID-dominated world. Mr. Speaker, just imagine how people in isolated communities such as the Tlicho communities of Whati, Gameti, and Wekweeti, in this time of COVID, imagine how they feel in their nursing stations, in their schools, homes, even government...
Masi, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, we have to think short-term and long-term. Short-term, in my view, is connecting to Whati. I'm just wondering if the Minister and her department, at the federal and Northwestel level, has there ever been consideration of, once Whati is connected, Gameti and Wekweeti are also in line for the discussion to move forward as a long-term objective of this government? Masi, Mr. Speaker.
That's great news about Whati. It's still in the works, and if we wait for Northwestel, we may not see the Internet. There is a CRTC federal counterpart, and as you know, the federal drags its heels, as well. This is an area that we need to push forward. As the GNWT, the Minister has made it a priority, a commitment in this House, so I would like to ask the Minister: the government has given fibre optic services to Tulita, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, and Wrigley. Some of them are small communities. In the interest of fairness, when will the Minister of Finance extend those...
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I will speak in my language. As MLAs, we have a lot of responsibility in this House. We are here to represent the 40,000 people in the Northwest Territories, and there are only 19 MLAs here. Some days, it's a very difficult job for myself. I've been here for almost 16 years. I really wanted to represent my people, so that is the reason why I am here. I know the operation of the government, and we want the best for our people. That is the reason why we ask questions. Some days, it doesn't seem like we're getting the answers. Although we ask the right questions...
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I'd like to ask Health and Social Services a question. We don't have a treatment centre in the Northwest Territories, and I would like to ask the Minister of health some questions. [End of translation] It was under a different Minister that a promise was made, a promise to look into residential addiction treatment being provided here in the Northwest Territories, but the promise was also reiterated by the deputy minister who remains in the position today. To the Health and Social Services Minister: why has the department not followed up on its promises to look...