Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I indicated earlier Ms. Yvonne Norwegian was a chaperone from Jean Marie, and she’s in the gallery. I’d like to welcome her to the proceedings of the House. Good to see you here.

I’d like to ask the Minister what strategy he is developing, in that previous administrations have created documents, such as Connecting Canada and other documents. I’d like to know what the Minister’s strategy is when he’s meeting with the federal government, because the development of our northern roads, particularly Highway No. 7, is critical to the economic development of my region and the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Last week I made great efforts to represent Fort Liard, the Nahendeh constituents, with Highway No. 7. I would like to continue and ask the Minister of Transportation about Highway No. 7 once again.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The small business sector is one of the most critical to the health of the economy, especially in the Nahendeh riding. Small businesses make great contributions to Nahendeh communities. Although the population is small, these communities are the scene of a surprising amount of activity.

The Liard River crossing is the second busiest river crossing in the Northwest Territories. The Nahanni National Park, with the NWT’s highest mountains and largest glaciers, attracts close to 1,000 visitors every year. The oil and gas and mineral development is becoming increasingly...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The intent of the motion is to be proactive. I am calling the government that we have to get down to Ottawa. We have to talk to the federal Ministers of Finance and Human Resources and Development to let them know that our government does not support their initiative at all. If we’re not heard, we will never be heard at all. It’s often been said that with Legislatures silence is assent. It means if we don’t say anything, we agree with it. So this motion is calling on our government to speak to our federal counterparts and let them know that our Northwest Territories...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS seniors are valued and respected members of our communities who have contributed throughout their lives and deserve our support;

AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada has announced its intent to reform the Old Age Security system;

AND WHEREAS reductions to Old Age Security benefits and/or increasing the age of eligibility would negatively impact future NWT seniors;

AND WHEREAS poverty, the lack of jobs and employer-sponsored pensions, and low incomes already impact many seniors in the Northwest Territories, creating the need for the GNWT’s current Senior Citizens...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Once again, the Prime Minister’s office is also aware of Highway No. 7. I had a resident of Fort Simpson advocating with the Prime Minister of Canada as well. So I’d like to ask our Minister and our government to do the same, to make it a highlight of the federal government and to press it in that light and give us at least one line in the federal budget with Highway No. 7. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister to provide me with a brief project update before I return back to my constituency so I can provide it to the community so they can expect the work timelines?

Certainly Trout Lake has been looking forward to the completion of this project and to have it delayed by another year…. What date was the anticipated completion date for the project?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Parents in the Northwest Territories have a legitimate expectation that their children will be safe in our schools and neighbourhoods. Children should feel confident that no one will hurt them or threaten them and that no one will say demeaning or sarcastic things to them. Parents in my riding are deeply concerned about bullying and so are students. They recognize the seriousness of the issue.

When students in Jean Marie River had the chance to work with TV star Dakota House, they produced a play centred on bullying and gossip. In Fort Simpson we’ve seen lives...