Jackson Lafferty

Masi, Mr. Speaker. My final question, obviously, pertains to the process. When I spoke to our MP, Michael McLeod, a couple of months back, he was also asking about the proposal, the bridge, the Frank Channel Bridge, if it was submitted. I just want to ask the Minister of Finance if there was a submission made for the Frank Channel Bridge with the federal government, the corridor funding. If I can get some sort of correspondence pertaining to that, Mr. Speaker, I would greatly appreciate it. Masi.

That leads to my next question about being transparent. I want to see for myself if this Minister's department has given sufficient weight to the Frank Channel Bridge replacement project. With this in mind, could the Minister of Finance, working with her colleague, the Minister of Infrastructure, please provide historical data comparing her department's submissions, milestones, application timelines, intergovernmental meetings, relating to the Frank Channel Bridge and the Slave Geological Transportation Corridor.

Masi, Mr. Speaker, I'll do it for a third time. Mr. Speaker, last August 14, the territorial government announced that it had secured a $30 million contribution from the federal government's National Trade Corridor Fund. This contribution coupled with a corresponding $10 million from GNWT to fund an environmental assessment and planning for the Slave Geological Transportation Corridor. The planning component of $40 million investment will, among other things, bring the first section of corridor to a "shovel-ready" state. Mr. Speaker, that section is running from the end of our existing Highway...

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].

[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. [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, 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...

This particular facility holds most of the Aboriginal clientele throughout the Northwest Territories and a lot of them came from my region, as well, the Tlicho region. I'd like to know: what kinds of programs are available to these high-risk clients with respect to Aboriginal programming from a northern perspective?