Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. In regard to the opening remarks and the budget address, the Minister speaks about reallocating $15 million from low priority spending to invest in higher priority areas. If I can ask the Minister, what specifically is referenced with that?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided) I would like to take this moment to reflect upon our road to the northern leaders meeting in Hay River, NWT, in the first week of April. I was pleased to be involved in a dinner that the Aboriginal Summit hosted in January. At this informal gathering it was observed that never before had northern leaders and the whole of the GNWT MLAs gathered to discuss items of mutual concern. At the outset of the 15th Assembly, we did indeed recognize that we as the GNWT are no longer the only government in the North. Our regions are more formidable presences...

Thank you very much. Just to follow up on that, I believe it should almost be standard these days, because we are experiencing quite a few difficulties, particularly with our health centre in Fort Simpson which affects all the outlying communities. I would just like to ask the Minister if he's willing to consider beefing up the cross-cultural training that I do believe the health care and frontline workers need to serve in the smaller communities. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is always a pleasure to see somebody from my riding up in the gallery, and I would just like to recognize Mr. John McKee; as well, Liza McPherson, Ron Hardisty, and Bernice Swanson. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to cross-cultural training. I am aware that years ago it used to be the practice that we gave our new employees cross-cultural training. In this particular instance, I am referencing Fort Simpson and the health and social services workers. I'm just wondering if there is a requirement or do we have a program that allows them to have cross-cultural training as they get hired into our government to work in the smaller communities.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today there are a lot of things that have to be addressed through government. (Translation ends)

…cross-cultural training especially in the areas of health, social services, education, culture and employment. My constituents of Nahendeh have addressed this topic to me on numerous occasions, and each has a story to tell as to why they have concluded that a program such as this should be implemented. They have asked me to question the GNWT as to why there are no such programs currently in place, and enquire whether the GNWT will implement the cross...

Mahsi Cho, Mr. Speaker. Dene ke ku'e deh koe gehdi. It means set the house on fire.

---Laughter

Just a special recognition to Albertine Rodh for receiving the Wise Woman Award from the Deh Cho and also a constituent from the Nahendeh riding. As well as to Taylor Speed and David Shaw of Fort Simpson who are recipients of the Apprenticeship and Occupation Awards. As well as the participants from Nahendeh who attended the Arctic Winter Games: Jeff Cressman, Alexa Tsetso, Paul Stepdonk, Val Gendron, Leon Hardisty, Morgan LeBlanc, Kerry Ann Loutit, Jessie Loutit, Sarah Simons, Krista Tong...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question for the Minister of Justice.

Recently, on Saturday March 13, 2004, a young, mentally-challenged woman from my riding, from the Willow Lake River, was missing for over 24 hours and the RCMP were notified but did not respond for a search. I just want to ask the Minister responsible to see if there is a satisfactory answer by the RCMP in responding to a search for this young woman in Willow Lake River. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to recognize my CA that came down from Fort Simpson, Eliza Jane Lafferty. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today I’d like to send a message to the elders and youth of my riding. I’d also like to mention… (Translation ends)

Today, I would like to take time to reflect on time and change. Sometimes you wonder where time has gone, it can pass by so quickly. With time comes change. When people come and go, things change along the way and these changes can either be joyful or sad.

Since the Second Session of the Legislative Assembly, there have been a few changes within my riding of Nahendeh. Not only were there a few new constituents born, but also a few who passed...