Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just with this particular line item on $957,000. The government indicates it’s part of their Affordable Housing Strategy. The concern on this one is that, is it what we, will there be new money allocated towards the O and M for the next three years or does this money come from the $50 million part of the fund that’s been discussed from the federal government? Just how does that impact? I know that the $50 million from the federal government with our $50 million is a $100 million strategy. So does that necessarily mean, Madam Chair, that new money from our...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 8, 2006, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the following individuals be appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to the Human Rights Commission of the Northwest Territories effective July 1, 2006: Ms. Rita Mueller of the hamlet of Behchoko for a term of four years; and, Ms. Tammy Rogers of the town of Inuvik for a term of two years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak on our justice system and offer one suggestion as to why our jailhouses are full. We have all heard the phrase: “If you do the hard time, you will do the tough time.” In Nahendeh, there is another phrase: “If you do petty crime, you will do a long time.”

Mr. Speaker, what I am referring to is the growing number of constituents who are expressing their concern that they are being advised to plead guilty or accept sentencing conditions without adequate legal advice or other proceedings. I have constituents who are being advised...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my honourable colleagues and Cabinet for all the support that this motion is receiving. Once again, it’s an idea, a thought that is long overdue for our northern government to support. Often all our budget doesn’t include anything for art. So this will go a long way in stimulating all our industries to revive our arts and culture sector and to give a lot of the elders out there who say we are losing touch with the elders and the old ways. That is the same for arts and culture, Mr. Speaker. So this is a huge way in which our government will...

WHEREAS the vision for the NWT Arts Strategy is “to secure the stability of a vibrant arts sector that is integral to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the NWT and contributes positively to the quality of life within the NWT;"

AND WHEREAS government should contribute to the development, recognition and support of a vibrant artistic community;

AND WHEREAS a healthy artistic community creates economy, awareness and appreciation of northern culture;

AND WHEREAS there should be access to appropriate artistic expression in public places;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to hear that response from the Minister. One of the projects that I’ve been championing for the Nahendeh region is, of course, Nahendeh Air. I’ve seen some guidelines with regard to transportation. Is this something that will fit that guideline and would the Minister support a joint submission that would support a regional airline for the Nahendeh riding? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister know if these standardized tests compare to other jurisdictions like the Yukon, Nunavut or any other rural ridings in the other provinces? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the standardized testing is something new that we are gauging our students in the North on. With the initial results, does the Minister have an interim plan, or will he look at some type of plan to address what the core issues are? I understand there was a small school report that was done three or four years ago. It spoke in there about classroom size and just the range of students being serviced by one or two teachers was an issue. Is there an initial plan or some kind of overview that the Minister will address this issue with? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fate of the flat-rate power debate, one-rate zone, what is it? What are we debating about? How will it affect me and my constituents? These are questions constituents have been expressing to me over and over again. The Public Utilities Board is submitting the rates that is due this fall. Under the current situation, large and hydro communities benefit while small communities that rely on diesel powered generators will be hit hard. When I think of this government’s approach on the flat-rate debate, I ask, can this government evaluate all the...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee would like to consider Bill 3, Bill 4, Committee Report 3-15(5), and Bill 5. Thank you.