Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s time for my spring road report.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I’ve got a question for the honourable Minister of Transportation. Just recently, the Dehcho leadership were travelling to Fort Liard, as well as track and field communities were travelling to Hay River, and they report that highways No. 1 and No. 7 have largely been unmaintained. They’re saying that there's lots of potholes, it’s soft. I’m just wondering, when is this ministry going to spend some of that money that’s earmarked for maintenance on those highways? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government has indicated publicly as well that they will be clawing back any residential school payment program. Is this an actual policy that is already in place, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to ask questions to the honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment just with respect to something that has been in the news lately. It is the residential school lump sum payment program for the common experience. I know that the GNWT is involved, but the Minister can detail for me how they are involved with this residential school lump sum payment payout that is happening. Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. In the course of our discussion on the annual report, some Members noted the act used the word “sex” to refer to discrimination on the basis of being male or female, and raised concerns that this terminology could be misunderstood or be offensive to some people. The committee suggests this government consider bringing forward an amendment to the act to change the word “sex” to “gender,” which is in its opinion a less confusing or more appropriate term.

The committee looks forward to monitoring the continued evolution of the Northwest Territories Human Rights...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The act currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of pardoned criminal convictions. The report recommends that the act be amended in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of “unrelated” criminal convictions. The example provided in the report is of a person with a record for driving while impaired being refused a job that does not involve drinking.

---Interjection

---Laughter

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Committee of the Whole would like to consider Committee Report 1-15(5), Committee Report 2-15(5) and Committee Report 3-15(5). Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to read briefly from an e-mail I got. “Dear Mr. Menicoche, blankety, blankety, blankety maintenance, blankety, blankety roads.”

---Laughter

Just to highlight the fact that the Minister indicated the desire to get out there soon and I think soon was about a month ago to maintain those roads, Mr. Speaker. Once again, when will our maintenance schedule kick in for the roads, because there are people moving around? They are travelling around lots and safety is their number one concern. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to hear that the government is very receptive and supportive of the lump sum payment program. In particular, there will be many elders that do not need to be taxed or clawed back. Is there an office, a particular number or a contact in our government that can help anybody that is looking for details for this particular residential lump sum payment program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentioned a secretariat. Is there a lead department that is taking part in it, or is there an interagency committee that is coordinating the government directorates, particularly with the schooling and educational records that are kept by our government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs with respect to Canada’s offer to the Dehcho First Nations. Aboriginal rights and the protection of lands that balance an economically prosperous future are all issues that I have taken to heart with my responsibilities as MLA for Nahendeh. Because of the recent announcement, Mr. Speaker, I was just wondering if the government, through the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, had an opportunity to comment on the next steps this government will take with respect to this offer. Thank you.