Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just with respect to that certain block that the Minister identified, I think one of the big issues we have here, Mr. Speaker, is we now have some aboriginal students from our communities who live down south. Are they eligible to access that special funding that is set aside for aboriginal students? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment with regard to the issue of aboriginal education and taxation. I believe the Minister assured us that he did write on behalf of the NWT residents and the majority of the aboriginal population with respect to taxation. Maybe if I can just get the Minister’s assurance that that has been done. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps the Minister can detail for me if there is assistance in terms of purchasing trapping products or equipment such as snowmobiles and traps. Is that part of the new program that is going to be rolled out? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are to the Honourable Brendan Bell, the Minister of RWED, just with respect to the new trapping initiatives that he mentioned earlier this week in a Minister's statement of support to the traditional economy. I am just not too familiar with how it is going to be rolled out. Is that new initiative beginning April 1st? Perhaps the Minister can detail that for me, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, mahsi cho. I, too, would like to say briefly that my condolences go out to all the loved ones involved in the loss of the RCMP officers in the line of duty. At this time I would like to say a special thank you to all the RCMP officers that serve us in the North. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

I would beg the Speaker's indulgence and I would also like to present my Member's statement. I am very concerned with the transfer of the responsibility of social housing from the NWT Housing Corporation to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. I am yet to be convinced that this is...

Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Bill 19, Appropriation Act, 2005-2006, specifically with the Department of Justice.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That has great implications, because I am of the understanding that the GNWT receives money from the federal government for aboriginal education. Perhaps just briefly, without getting into too much debate, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister can explain or detail the terms of that contract. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Does the support to the traditional economy have room for something like getting that certain age group between 50 and 65 out there assisting the young people learning how to trap? Was that program designed with that thought in mind, or is there a way we can do that, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m totally in support of initiatives put forward by RWED with respect to this, because on my last trip home to Fort Simpson there were lot of young trappers who were out there and they are doing it on their own. So is there a contact person in Fort Simpson or even in Fort Liard that this program will be rolled out with, or a contact person to talk to? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues, for allowing me to conclude my Member's statement.

These questions and many more, Mr. Speaker, will need to be answered in the coming months. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment will have to roll out any changes to the way social housing is delivered in a measured manner over a period of time, so that people can adjust in a timely manner.

Public consultation is another issue that needs to be addressed, Mr. Speaker. I do not want to see the department blindly going ahead and implementing new social housing and income security...