Jackson Lafferty

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...

[Translation] Mr. Speaker, I am getting there. Whenever you're speaking your language, it's hard to get right to the point, but, if you're speaking English, it's totally different, but I will get there. The reason why I'm standing here is because I'm speaking my language. I will apologize now. I'll speak in English, Mr. Speaker [translation ends]. It was never my intention to scandalize this House. I am sorry if the word caused my fellow MLAs discomfort. Truth and integrity are important, however, than hurt feelings. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, for speaking the truth, I will not apologize this...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] After yesterday's proceeding, I felt that I need to apologize, and I also would like to apologize to the people of the Northwest Territories. I apologize to all those who have ever had to go to court and have been unable to truly express themselves in their own language. I want to apologize to all my elders who have to go to the health clinic or hospital and are unable to describe their pains properly because they did not have proper interpretation or translation. [End of translation]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize to the people of the Northwest Territories. I...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] What we're talking about for the last two weeks, each and every one of us that are in here, we know what had happened [translation ends].

Masi, Mr. Speaker. That's absolutely right. I'm raising a point of privilege, since I can't speak in my language in this House so that other Members can understand what I'm saying. It's very important that I speak my language, one of the 11 official languages in the House, and I feel that we cannot continue having our discussion or debate today, as I do not have an interpreter at this point in time. Mr. Speaker, it is my right to do so, to speak my language as I've done over the last 15 years, and I'll continue to do so, but I cannot continue today with the limited resources that I have with...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not available].

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not available.] Mr. Speaker, I speak one of my 11 official languages in the House, probably the only one in the House. Today, I do not have an interpreter. I highly encourage you to shut down the House at this point in time since I can't speak my language. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi, Madam Speaker. [Translation] As Cabinet and Members, we work under this policy. It's in front of us to use, so when these Ministers come into our community, they have to give us notice, two weeks', and send us the documents. This is the question I want to ask the Minister. [End of translation]

As Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, we adhere to what we call a process convention. Madam Speaker, according to the process convention, Section 11(b) states, "Ministers will, whenever possible, provide a minimum of two weeks' advance notice of any public meeting...