Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister outlined the cost. We talk about the elders’ lives here. People who are 80 and 90 years of age cannot be transported to Yellowknife if there is an emergency in the community. He also talked about the backup that is currently installed and it should avoid, he was saying. I don’t see that being a remedy. We can’t say “should." We cannot guarantee that this will assist the elders in the seniors’ home. So, Mr. Speaker, we have witnessed the first snowfall, as you can see. It’s time the government started listening to our elders, our respected elders...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Literacy Council is an important element in the Northwest Territories and also the smaller communities. I just certainly hope that the Minister will seriously look into this, or his counterparts in the federal government, and lobby the government and hopefully re-establish the funding that has been lost. I just want to make that statement. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the Minister is outlining the NWT’s perspective, that we are unique in the federal umbrella. The NWT Literacy Council has lost $344,000 as a result of the cuts. This funding represents three areas, Mr. Speaker, coalition funding, family and community literacy development and aboriginal literacy research project. Mr. Speaker, I think it is obvious that we cannot depend solely on the federal government anymore for support for literacy. What plans has the Minister made to support the NWT Literacy Council at this time to ensure that the...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, it has been an exciting summer again in the Tlicho region. We are once again celebrating a victory. Last year it was the signing of the Tlicho land claims and self-government. Today we are being recognized for the managerial initiatives in receiving a silver IPAC award.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho Community Services Agency was awarded silver for innovative management by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada at an awards ceremony in Prince Edward Island on August 30th, 2006. Mr. Speaker, this award identifies and publicizes...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been approached on several occasions from the elders. I usually visit the elders in the seniors’ home and they are still concerned even though there is a backup generator. So just with respect to that, can the Minister and department make a commitment to meet with the Tlicho Community Services Agency if there is a current emergency plan in place? If not, can they establish one immediately before the winter comes? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister outlined the cost. We talk about the elders’ lives here. People who are 80 and 90 years of age cannot be transported to Yellowknife if there is an emergency in the community. He also talked about the backup that is currently installed and it should avoid, he was saying. I don’t see that being a remedy. We can’t say “should." We cannot guarantee that this will assist the elders in the seniors’ home. So, Mr. Speaker, we have witnessed the first snowfall, as you can see. It’s time the government started listening to our elders, our respected elders...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Literacy Council is an important element in the Northwest Territories and also the smaller communities. I just certainly hope that the Minister will seriously look into this, or his counterparts in the federal government, and lobby the government and hopefully re-establish the funding that has been lost. I just want to make that statement. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just recently I received a notice of petition for a community’s security and bylaw services in the community of Behchoko signed by youth, elders and community members of Behchoko. There are 116 signatures. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the Minister is outlining the NWT’s perspective, that we are unique in the federal umbrella. The NWT Literacy Council has lost $344,000 as a result of the cuts. This funding represents three areas, Mr. Speaker, coalition funding, family and community literacy development and aboriginal literacy research project. Mr. Speaker, I think it is obvious that we cannot depend solely on the federal government anymore for support for literacy. What plans has the Minister made to support the NWT Literacy Council at this time to ensure that the...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am still not satisfied with the answer I am getting or any answers I am getting from the Minister. This is a real fragile situation we are faced with today. The Minister is stating that this could avoid a power outage or there is a backup system in place, but I highly doubt that. Can the Minister commit to this House that in the future if there are incidents in the community where there is a power outage, there are costs associated, would he cover the cost of transporting individuals or elders to the community of Yellowknife or wherever the place may be...