Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my next question was to get into detailed questions, but I can probably wait. The next question I have is the Tlicho Government continues in effect as in all two years ago. It is imperative that the GNWT respects the self-governance of the Tlicho people. How soon can we anticipate the building of this staff housing? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on June 26, 2007, the Tlicho Community Services Agency was once again recognized for their innovative management, this time internationally. They were recognized by the 7th Global Forum in Vienna, Austria. Mr. Speaker, we were honoured and privileged to have attended the celebration in Austria. Members who joined the journey were myself; Mr. Charles Dent from ECE; Alphonse Nitsiza, the chair of the Tlicho Community Services Agency; Joseph Mackenzie, vice-chair; and Anna Beals, the director of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, I would like to...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will make a statement regarding working together within the government. Today is a celebration that our government in our territory, the Tlicho Government, and the territorial government and the agency is celebrating today. (Translation ends)

…territorial government, Tlicho Government and the Tlicho Community Services Agency. We are working as a remarkable accomplishment building upon our positive working relations during this last leg of our session.

Mr. Speaker, first let me highlight how we got here. A skidoo journey...

Mahsi, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider Bill 15, Liquor Act, and Bill 6, Workers’ Compensation Act. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would these staff houses I’m referring to, those GNWT North Slave regional office being transferred to our region, specifically under staff housing, has the Department of the Executive been working with the Tlicho Community Services Agency? Are they working with the Behchoko Development Corporation, the community government of Behchoko? Where are they with that? I understand the regional director is working on it but I’d just like to get a feeling of how far we’re at with that. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk about the transfers of some positions to the Tlicho region. I’m not sure when this will happen. I’m talking about the staff housing. We’re still not sure about what’s happening with that so I’d like to ask the Premier a question. (Translation ends)

I raised an issue on the North Slave staff being transferred to Behchoko, the soon-to-be headquarters for the Tlicho region. Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to focus on a staff housing initiative that the Executive department is currently undertaking. The question is to the...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho Government and the community government decided to pitch in and invest in this important project. After numerous calls, e-mails and making errands across the hallway, both parties agreed to proceed with the project. The end result: a true partnership and driven initiative. All parties contributed. The high school in Gameti will finally become a reality.

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Mr. Speaker, to conclude, I would like to thank the Cabinet Members, my fellow colleagues around the table here for their generous support….

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…and...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Many of the presenters were either concerned about or have themselves been subjected to elder abuse.  In small communities, they could not see how the SCAN legislation would help an elder being taken advantage of by a relative or being kept awake and harassed by neighbours partying and drinking all night, without there being repercussions for the elder who reported the activity.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just leading on to the business planning process, can the Minister tell this Assembly whether the Housing Corporation will have funding for design and consultation for a new facility in the year 2008-2009 business plan? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(Translation)…in my Member’s statement, I would like to ask those questions regarding the senior home. I would like to ask the Minister the question. He did state that after five years, this facility may be replaced. I would like to ask him the question. (Translation ends)

In my Member’s statement today, I spoke of the need for short-term repairs and alternate replacement of the Jimmy Erasmus Seniors’ Centre in Behchoko. The Minister has stated that an initial plan was to do the necessary repairs to have the present facility last for the five years it would...