Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Chair, I move we report progress. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the committee wishes to consider Bill 11, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2007, and Bill 12, Public Health Act. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question to the Minister, with respect, we have to respect our elders’ wish to have an addition to our school with a gymnasium for our children to have a healthy lifestyle and wellness in the community. So my final question to the Minister: Will the Minister do the right thing and add and support a third option to his briefing note where the GNWT will find the money to go forward with this project on this year’s winter road, 2007-08, and build the school addition and gymnasium as planned with the original plan? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to focus on the need of the community; the community of Gameti. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister tell these Members here around the table why he and his department believe that the people of Gameti do not want the same educational and recreation programs for their children that he and other Yellowknife Members take for granted for their children here in Yellowknife and other major centres? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize the Tlicho chief executive council: Grand Chief George Mackenzie, Chief Leon Lafferty, Chief Charlie Jim Nitsiza, Chief Henry Gon. I’d also like to recognize Behchoko member Jonas Lafferty. Thanks for being here. Mahsi.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move to report progress. Mahsi.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommend that the Minister issue a directive reinforcing the use of extended families in the placement of apprehended children and that every effort be made to place children with extended family within the child’s home community before a child protection worker considers placement in a foster home in or outside the child’s home community. Mahsi, Madam Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, in summary of what I said, this whole purpose of the motion that’s in front of us, I think it has to do with transparency and accountability. They’ve talked about this bridge for a number of years. Even when I came on board two years ago, I hadn’t really heard of the bridge project. I heard it may happen depending on federal funding. If federal funding comes in, then make a move on it. All of a sudden, we are in the 11th hour and boom, boom, boom, we want to build this bridge.

At the same time, Mr. Speaker, we have to consult...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, the committee is appreciative that one of the results of the passage of Bill 5 will be the inclusion of a new clause in the preamble of the Child and Family Services Act that states “And whereas a child’s extended family can often provide important supports in meeting the best interests of the child;”.

A preamble to an act is important in that the preamble sets out the principles that will guide the application of the act.

Recognizing the role of the extended family in child protection matters is an important step and now we need to take the next steps to ensure...