Jackson Lafferty

This reference question is just to clarify our authority as the GNWT to regulate caribou harvesting, it does not have any impact on the land claim groups’ aboriginal harvesting. We just want to reaffirm that we do have the authority to regulate.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Under the Legal Questions Act, as the Minister responsible for Justice I have the authority to seek or pose a question to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. With that we felt that we needed to do that because there were several groups that were disputing the Government of the Northwest Territories’ authority to regulate caribou harvesting. So we just wanted to reaffirm our stance that we do have the authority as the GNWT to regulate those harvests. It has been brought to the attention of the Cabinet and we proceeded with that. We did consult with the aboriginal...

We work as a cross-cultural departmental initiative where NWT Housing Corporation uses household income. The same for the Minister responsible for Seniors through her programming. Within the ECE subsidy programs it is based on household income. Those are the areas that we continue to improve our programming. Yes, I will continue to work with my two colleagues on this particular item.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This particular area has seen some changes over time. We’ve increased the income threshold as well, household income, by $10,000. At the same time, through the transition period we’ve made some changes along the way with other programs as well. So we are receptive to making changes to our programming, overall programs that we have that are deliverable to the communities. This seniors home fuel subsidy is a very attractive subsidy program for seniors in the small communities especially. I would state in the House that this is an area we continue to look at with individuals...

The reference question is currently underway before the courts. The process is already underway.

When we first heard about this particular concern that was brought to our attention, we felt the need to react on the question that was thrown at our GNWT as the Department of Justice and GNWT wide. As the Minister responsible for Justice, I will certainly continue to work with the Members. On a going forward basis, there are other areas that we need to pose questions to the Supreme Court and I will continue to work with the Members.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, today in Gameti there’s a gathering of elders from the four Tlicho communities to share their ideas, wisdom, experience and planning for future generations. Mr. Speaker, there are approximately 80 elders selected to talk about the culture preservation, the language preservation for the Tlicho region and with respect to the wildlife as well. They talk about the respect of the wildlife as well.

Mr. Speaker, these are the professors of this great land. We must hear them out and they teach us about the wisdom, the stories, the...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today marks the beginning of the NWT Crime Prevention Conference in Yellowknife, with participants from every community in the Territory. The theme of the conference is Together We’re Better: Preventing Crime in the NWT.

Supported by a grant from Public Safety Canada, this conference is bringing together people from across the Territory, giving them an opportunity to learn from each other and work together to make our communities safer places. We all have an important role in this. We need to work together to make it clear that we will not accept criminal and unwanted...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, I will move that Bill 5, Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Act, be read for the first time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, I will move that Bill 3, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, be read for the first time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.