Jackson Lafferty

I am just trying to get the points across so I can share them with my constituents, as well. People who have been texting and messaging us. People who are coming from the South. To be self-isolated, is it optional, or is it mandatory from our perspective, the government's perspective?

Masi, Mr. Speaker. As we sit here in the House, we are getting all kinds of messages as well about this whole COVID-19. One question I have is: we have cancelled most or all the trips outside the NWT, but we still have people coming into the Northwest Territories. Is there a plan in place to deal with that matter? I am not sure if it will be to Health or Justice or the Deputy Premier, Mr. Speaker; I will leave it to you. Masi.

The Minister alluded to an action plan. Obviously, I would like to see that plan of action from ECE, more specifically on interpreter training that is available to us. On another note, I talk about short-term, long-term goals of this ECE department with respect to working with the Indigenous governments' organizations. Question to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment: I understand that there is a five-year language plan. What is the status on this plan?

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I have to juggle around with my questions here. [Translation] At this time, I would like to ask a question regarding the interpreters. I wanted to ask one of the Ministers regarding the interpreters. [Translation ends]

I would like to ask questions on the language interpreters' training. I did ask that question a while back ago; now I want to follow up again. Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to know, point blank, who is responsible for providing language interpreter training here in the Northwest Territories. Masi.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, on behalf of Behchoko, I am going to be talking about some of the emotions about the Behchoko. There are more houses. There is a huge population in the community of the Behchoko. It is one of the largest native communities in the Northwest Territories. I am talking about the regional office. I will be talking about the regional office. I will ask questions, Mr. Speaker. [Translation ends]

[Microphone turned off] ...town in the Northwest Territories. It is the territory's largest Indigenous community. It is the centre of one of the most dynamic and vibrant...

Madam Chair, just on the SAFE program, the CARE program, seniors aging in place retrofit and repairs, we've identified the 2020 main estimates. I'm just curious, the program itself, is it all income-tested, household income? The reason I'm asking is there were questions on that with ECE, I believe. There is a seniors fuel subsidy, and we only income-test the heads of households; not family members living with them, but just the two heads of households. Have we considered that for these programs? I know there are some people living in the community who don't qualify because their household...

Obviously, I would like to see some sort of correspondence between the federal government and the territorial government. There has been a lot of discussion on this subject, even from previous governments until today. I am asking the Minister of Finance to table this in the House, her department's, and also the Minister of Infrastructure's department, most recent proposal for federal, national, trade corridor funding respecting the Frank Channel Bridge replacement project.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I spoke earlier about the Frank Channel Bridge earlier today. I also spoke about the federal government and the impossible road to the mines. We have a lot of Ministers. The Minister that is here, the Minister of Finance, my question is directed to the Minister of Finance. [End of translation]

[Microphone turned off] ...spending on the less critical Slave geological transportation corridor. Mr. Speaker, I guess we have to juggle the departments, but I will ask the Minister of Finance: could the Minister of Finance please explain how the Slave Geological...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Sorry, it was not English. I'd like to apologize for that. Okay, I've got it. [Translation ends]

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I'd like to talk about the bridge, the Frank Channel Bridge.

Mr. Speaker, last August, the territorial government announced that it had secured a $30 million contribution from the federal government's National Trade, and also a $10 million contribution will fund environmental assessments, and also, I would like to talk on this issue. [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, [microphone turned off] ...million contribution from the federal...

Masi, Madam Chair. I highly urge this Minister to seriously consider possibly making -- because it is a policy change, similar to what we've done with ECE in the past, and it worked really well for seniors and elders in the community. Housing is a big challenge in the community, people accessing it, and there are so many complaints and issues. I think, once the Minister looks into this and makes some minor changes with regard to household income versus the head of household income, I think that will make a huge difference. I am seriously hoping that the Minister will consider that as we move...