Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, and I know it comes as no surprise to the Minister that I have issues about his issues and affordable housing initiative is the next big one on the block. It's rolling out now as we speak. Then, of course, there's also the Novel housing, which may roll out as well. These are big initiatives. We need good planning. As a former Member on this side of the House used to say, we need "blue chip information." We need good, recent information that's accurate and current.

Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member’s statement, it is not a secret that I take exception and issue with some of the comments that have recently been made by our Premier in relation to the plight of many young northerners who were left in the care and were being taught by someone who turned out to be a convicted pedophile. I am concerned about these comments. It is not about politics, Mr. Speaker. This is a matter which is very personal. I believe that we have a right to know where the Premier stands on these issues. I can say the Premier has apologized. I do...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had a nice statement all prepared, a text all prepared today to stand up and congratulate the winners of the municipal elections, but, Mr. Speaker, I am going to deviate from that topic because I have something more important to talk about today. It would be somewhat untrue to my own conscience to sit here and just talk about the nice things, because there is another topic that is not so nice. The topic is the issue of the abuse and the legacy of abuse in the Northwest Territories. It is something that I would like to look away from. I would like to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development as reviewed Bill 11, Tourism Act, and wishes to report that Bill 11 is now ready for Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unless the head of the RCMP has been renamed the Premier, the sign on the parking stall says "Premier." I know how to read, and right beside it says “Minister.” As I was searching for a parking place in the overcrowded parking lot at the airport, I saw those two empty spots and it was very tempting to take one of those, but, being as I am not the Premier or the Minister, I thought I had better not. But there is designated parking and we pay for our parking here, we come to work every month, it comes off our paycheque if we want a parking spot and I want to know if the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier has made reference to, you know, due diligence and protecting the public interest, but certainly the Government of the Northwest Territories has an obligation to protect the interest of those people who have been affected by these abusive situations that they found themselves in. Recently there was a suggestion made that perhaps if this government doesn’t in fact embrace the kind of defense that was put forward, that we should find an alternative way to resolve and bring some peace and some reconciliation to these people who are now adults who...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess the four areas of particular concern were speculation as to whether any of the alleged victims were consenting, whether they were lying, whether the abuse actually had any impact on their future life and whether or not their race or their culture had any overbearing facts and whether or not they were in a position to consent to anything. Those are the things I’m speaking to with respect to his personal beliefs and I would like for the Premier to clarify on those matters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a point of personal privilege to correct what I believe are some misconceptions about the rules which I can appreciate must be mysterious to many members of the public who do not work with these rules on a day-to-day basis.

In particular, I refer to an editorial published in the October 4, 2006, Hub newspaper that included the phrase "conventions that conveniently give politicians an easy ride in reference to the sub judice rule that requires Members to refrain from discussing matters that are before the courts."

As I understand it, the sub...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a package of documents, in chronological order, on the Premier's comments on the civil suit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.