Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the need for a new school over in Trout Lake. I know that the needs are mainly in our small and remote communities; however, we’ve been spending lots of our capital dollars over the last four years building super schools and super bridges, and I believe it should be time for the priority of this government to start concentrating on the schools in our small and remote communities.

I’d like to ask the Minister of Education -- he’s heard the needs of Trout Lake, he’s heard me raise it in the Assembly over the past years --...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

I am pleased that my colleagues are speaking about the needs of the small communities today, Mr. Speaker. It is the basic expectation of communities and parents that their children will have a school to go to. While this government has been out building super schools and super bridges, it has not been meeting that very basic expectation in Trout Lake.

As I have already repeated in this House many times, Trout Lake has been without a school since the old Charles Tetcho School burned down many years ago. What was supposed to be a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize my constituency assistant, Ms. Leona Pearl Norwegian, who worked with me in Yellowknife all this week. Mahsi cho.

Also, her birthday is Saturday, so please join me in wishing her a special public happy birthday.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to congratulate the 2011 Nahendeh graduates of Aurora College who travel to Fort Smith and Yellowknife. The people of Nahendeh and the Northwest Territories appreciate the valuable skills you will bring back to your communities and the contributions you will make to the workforce.

Graduation is a significant milestone. I want to recognize your hard work and dedication in achieving your goals. Your commitment shows leadership and sets a good example to students who will follow in your footsteps.

I also want to recognize the graduates’ families who...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The words “oil spill,” which we’ve heard far too often lately, strike fear into the hearts of residents, and for good reason. An oil spill always provokes concern for our water, our animals, and the safety of the public.

Just this Monday, Enbridge Pipelines confirmed the spill of approximately four barrels of oil near Willowlake River north of Fort Simpson. The leak was reported by Chief Timothy Lennie of Wrigley, who had discovered it. Unfortunately, Chief Lennie’s exposure to the oil has affected his health. He has reported that his eyes are burning and that his throat is...

I’d like to ask the Minister to work with the National Energy Board, because even them, they did not make any contact with the chief or the residents of that community to advise of their role, how can they be of assistance to the community, because it is very significant to them. They are concerned about the environment and they’re concerned about the water. They’re concerned about public safety, but no one’s reached out and tried to deal with them and try to answer their questions there, Mr. Speaker. With that, can our government do that? Can they contact and work with their federal...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask my questions today to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. In my Member’s statement I spoke about the Enbridge Pipeline Incorporated, the oil spill just south of Wrigley at the Willowlake River. I’d like to ask the Minister what is the role of the Department of ENR when there’s an oil spill incident and an emergency of this nature. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the 2009-2010 Human Rights Commission Annual Report and comments it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations has completed its review of the 2009-2010 Human Rights Commission Annual Report. This report covers the Human Rights Commission’s sixth year. The committee would like to thank Ms. Mary Pat Short, chair of the Human Rights Commission, and Ms. Thérèse Boullard, director of human rights, for their appearance before the committee.

In 2009-2010, the NWT Human...

Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations held its public review of the Report of the Auditor General on Northwest Territories Health Programs and Services – 2011, Department of Health and Social Services, and commends it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations held its public review of the Report of the Auditor General on Northwest Territories Health Programs and Services – 2011, Department of Health and Social Services, on April 19 and 20, 2011. The committee thanks the Auditor General, Ms. Sheila Fraser, and her staff for their work in preparing the...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the Report of the Auditor General on the Northwest Territories Deh Cho Bridge Project – 2011, Department of Transportation, and commends it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations held its public review of the report of the Auditor General of the Northwest Territories Deh Cho Bridge Project – 2011, Department of Transportation, on April 19th and 20th, 2011. The committee thanks the Auditor General, Ms. Sheila Fraser, and her staff for their...