Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to ask the Minister of ENR some questions on our FireSmart awareness campaign as we move into the new year and as move into the next few years about establishing a recognition program. I just wanted to speak of that Smokey the Bear-type campaign that is needed here in the Northwest Territories. Of course, we all know that Smokey the Bear is an advertising mascot created to educate the U.S. public about the dangers of forest fires, and one of the biggest ones is: Remember, only you can prevent forest fires. This was created in 1947 and today Smokey the...

I know the Minister is talking about it being a longer process than we expect. Of course, it’s like many things in government, it takes a while to change initiatives or steer the ship.

In terms of that, what’s the department’s position on increasing support and funding for the Dechinta Bush University programming that’s out there? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement as well as Dechinta University.

When the organizers began Dechinta University, probably more than five years ago when they were dreaming their dreams, they were focusing on establishing a university in the Northwest Territories.

What is our strategy, our position on establishing a university in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to be standing here to speak about the Dechinta Bush University today. I have many constituents who have completed the seven-week programming at the Blachford Lodge and are furthering their own communities.

We as the Government of the Northwest Territories have been growing up with the onset of devolution, and so should our education system. Canada is the only circumpolar country without a circumpolar university. I believe strongly, as the board of directors of the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning who operate the Dechinta Bush University, that it...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Also, since we’re also talking about representing Canada with the Dechinta Bush University program, I’d like to ask the Minister on his next visit to his federal counterparts, or if there are any others – perhaps CanNor can be approached – about having a federal investment in our Dechinta Bush University and federal supports.

I’d like to ask the Minister, can he do that the next time he meets with his federal counterparts? Mahsi.

I’m glad the Minister has a working relationship with the Dechinta University since its formation. Where they are heading these days is they’ve proven themselves in the last five years and their name is out there, not only in the Northwest Territories but right across Canada and internationally, as well, in that people are interested. They are saying you’ve got a university, but I think, yes, it’s a university in name but I think the request is to get the name, Dechinta Bush University into the Education Act so it can be accredited to offer their own major and/or minor diploma to our northern...

In closing, we have to take the opportunity to empower ourselves as a territory by providing a truly complete northern education system. We must consider seriously the efforts of the Dechinta Bush University to offer to ourselves and to the world a truly unique major and minor diploma programming. Mahsi cho.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of Bill 46 and I’d like to extend my congratulations to the Deline Got’ine First Nations as they see one of the final steps in their self-government negotiations. I do want to say that when I visited there, they’re only building on their prophets and what they want for their people. I wish them every success as they exert their independence and yet they can still exist in this great Northwest Territories of ours. All they’re seeking is to better the lives of their people and control of their future.

Once again, I want to extend my...

With the $800,000 I wasn’t too clear if the Minister said that it was part of the contract, or else is this additional investment like replacing culverts and strengthening the road that’s outside the standard maintenance contract?

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. In my opening comments I spoke about the operating and maintenance of the new Trout Lake Airport and the need for snow removal equipment, and that’s something that would certainly benefit them. It’s a much larger airport and the community indicates that having a grader is just not going to work, as you can see, with the larger volumes of snow that can happen on a much larger surface. I would just like they ask about a snow blower to be put in the plans for the community of Trout Lake.