Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided) Today I rise in the House to address the need for aboriginal bylaw or community officers in the community of Behchoko. Mr. Speaker, in 2004, the Department of Justice, in partnership with the federal government, had a two-year agreement in which 1.24 was given to the NWT as part of the Government of Canada/First Nation policing funding.

In Behchoko, we had two officers who were successful in training through this initiative in partnership with our government and the RCMP. These officers maintain a healthy relationship with our community members and...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since my election last year, I wasn’t expecting to be standing here and facing the difficult position we are. At the same time, what happened yesterday, we can’t just sweep it under the carpet. We have all seen it and it’s unfortunate. I, too, have high respect for Mr. Miltenberger. He’s been praised in my community. He went to school in our community as well. At the same time, we are accountable for what we do here as a government. We must speak freely as Members of the Legislative Assembly. We cannot be threatened. We are the ones who put them there, Mr...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment:

GNWT funds the Literacy Council about $440,000 this year. Can I request a breakdown of the funding and is it committed on an annual basis?

GNWT provides funds in the excess of $6 million towards literacy programming:

Can I request a breakdown of the funds?

Is the funding committed annually?

Can I get a breakdown of the communities that are benefiting from these funds – which community and how much contributed?

GNWT is providing some core funding to the Literacy Council. How much is our...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm curious on the funding for these libraries across the Northwest Territories, whether it be Yellowknife, Hay River or the Fort Smith Area; the public libraries. The Minister just indicated that there's no funding from the GNWT as a contribution to these libraries. I'd like to know where this funding is coming from to support these libraries because it's under education. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my constituent Peter Huskey that’s in the audience. There is another constituent, Francis Washie, who was here also. I would like to welcome them to the gallery. Mahsi.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today we’re talking about the point of privilege that we’re faced with of what happened yesterday. What happened yesterday is a very serious issue that we’re faced with. We’ve all seen it. Some of us heard it, of what took part. Here we may have rules like gesture equals recording. We’ve seen it and we’ve heard it and it’s uncalled for. As Cabinet Members, you know, there’s accountability. We’re accountable to the public, the general public at large, and also our constituents, 43,000 people living in the Northwest Territories. My fear is that if it happened...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a document that contains 116 signatures of residents of Behchoko. The document is for presentation to the Tlicho Community Government to petition the local government to deal with the issues of security services for residents of Behchoko. Mahsi cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister's willingness to sit down with the Tlicho Community Services Agency or the community government of Behchoko. He outlined the six communities that receive funding on special projects. It would be great to have Behchoko as the seventh community, possibly for next year as a project. So when could the Minister meet with the Behchoko community government or Tlicho Community Services Agency on establishing a public library in Behchoko as a partnership? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to stress the vital need for a public library in Behchoko. As we know, the public library plays a vital role in the communities. Learning and enhancing reading skills and opening minds to new ideas are all positive effects that the libraries can provide. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Can the Minister tell me what funding he can make available for a public library in the community of Behchoko? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s truly an honour to acknowledge and recognize the NWT soccer records set by under 19 boys soccer team. For the first time ever, Team NWT won gold medal at major international outdoor soccer tournament, Mr. Speaker.

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Team NWT, 2 to 1, won over Team B.C. We have two previous bronze medals. Also, the first ever in NWT soccer history at major international outdoor soccer tournament in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in 1993. Most goals ever scored by Team NWT at major international outdoor soccer tournament, 22 goals in total. Mr. Speaker, most goals ever...