Julie Green

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to continue on with my questions for the Premier based on my statement. One of the key things that he promised was to assist in evening out the bumps of the resource economy by providing support for economic diversification. To that end, I'd like to hear from the Premier when he expects the agricultural strategy to be ready. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to pursue this issue, there was a meeting of the northern Premiers in Old Crow, Yukon in which they said that they were against a carbon tax for the North. That's the context. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would very much like to thank the Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities for his promise of a fresh start, and thank him for his offer to collaborate. I am looking forward to taking part in that myself and to furthering the quality of life for people who have disabilities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, WHEREAS disability is defined by the World Health Organization is any restriction or inability resulting from impairment to perform a daily activity in the manner within the range considered normal for a human being;

AND WHEREAS, persons of all ages living with disability have the right to live in fully inclusive and participatory society where they have choice, are valued and respected is equal and contributing members of the community;

AND WHEREAS, at least 15 per cent of the population of the Northwest Territories lives with a disability with challenges in...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities, and they follow from my Member's statement. First of all, I'd like to hear a renewal of commitment from the Minister. The motion of the 17th Assembly called for the government to propose an approach for taking a new action plan forward. This motion is not binding on the government, obviously; it happened in the last Assembly. However, will this Minister honour this motion in the spirit of progress and continuity, and propose an approach by the end of June? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. At the last election, nine of the Members here in this House, including four Cabinet Ministers, answered yes when they were asked if they would support the creation of a new strategic plan for improving disabled persons’ situations and services. I'll have questions for the Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities later. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on March 3, 2016, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, May 31, 2016;

AND FURTHER, that at any time prior to May 31, 2016, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact as it...

Oh, we're not in Committee of the Whole. I beg your pardon, Mr. Speaker. So what the Disabilities Council is requesting is that there be work done that starts from today that looks at the five pillars of the disability life, which includes education, employment, income, disability supports, and housing, and that together this group, along with the territorial government, come up with an action plan which will produce measurable outcomes and an evaluation plan that will show progress on meeting the needs of people with disabilities. I'm not sure how previous Assemblies have so badly failed...

My question now is about the process. The NWT Disabilities Council did an evaluation of the 2008 plan, but they do not want to go back and fix that plan. They want to start with a new plan. They're eager to come to the table with you and other members of the disability service and advocacy community. Will you commit to a process for developing this new plan that will be broad-based and include stakeholder groups who will work with responsible departments and work forward from today, rather than backward from 2008?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It's my pleasure to introduce today a number of people who are advocates for the disabilities community in the Northwest Territories, and in particular Denise McKee, the executive director of the Northwest Territories Disabilities Council; Samantha Thomas, who is a member of that board; Rhonda Hoffos, who's the executive director of the Canadian Institute for the Blind, NWT; and Darren Jacquard, who's the vice-president of the NWT Autism Society. I'd like to thank them for coming today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.