Michael McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there’s an old saying that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But I think with this ECE housing transfer issue, they are trying to invent that to say if it ain’t broke, let’s break it.

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Mr. Speaker, we brought motions forward recently, asking Housing to take the ability to do the assessments for the tenants back from ECE because, Mr. Speaker, we have been hearing for months now that this is just not working. I don’t know what it’s going to take for the department to realize it’s not working, that they should transfer the money back to the Housing...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to offer congratulations to a member of our public service, Mr. Richard Popko, who was recently honoured by the Fur Institute of Canada with the Jim Bourque Award in recognition of his support of the sustainable development of Canada’s modern fur trade.

Richard is known for his commitment to the principles of sustainable use of wildlife. These principles include humane trapping practices and furthering indigenous peoples’ cultures. He is a good example of the vital stewardship role that trappers play in the conservation of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I start, I would like to extend my condolences for the family of Stella Bourque, a long-time resident of Inuvik, and also the family of Rosie Firth who always welcomed you into her home when you visited Fort McPherson.

Mr. Speaker, I take my role as MLA quite seriously. I sometimes use a little humour to get my message across but, Mr. Speaker, the condition of the Dempster Highway is no laughing matter, even though it is a joke.

---Laughter

Two hundred and seventy three kilometers from Inuvik to the border. I was pleased to see the Minister of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning, I read an article that said that there is a meeting going on today between the proponents of the pipeline and the Government of Canada. I got to thinking when they mentioned some of the players that were going to be at the meeting, where was the GNWT in this picture, Mr. Speaker? It is happening too much lately that, with all the talk going on with the pipeline, the GNWT continues to be left out of the picture. I read further on in the article that a document was filed with the National Energy Board. They talk about Alberta will be the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommend that the department work towards increasing the number of foster homes in the NWT and that a plan, complete with numbers of existing foster homes, targeted increases and required resources, be presented to the Standing Committee on Social Programs as part of the 2009-2010 business plans. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

They have to stockpile everything and by the time they get to it, the best before date expired 10 months ago.

I don’t see that. Being one of the new Members, I would like to see some numbers. I am sure the people in Ulukhaktok and Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk were pleased to hear my colleague from Range Lake say the cost of living is going to be reduced throughout the Northwest Territories if we build that bridge across the Mackenzie. I am sure they were pleased to hear that. They talk about four weeks where they go without avocados.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have commended the good work of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group because they are trying to ensure that we get some benefit out of this pipeline that’s going right through our territory. I would like to ask the Premier, he said we don’t have the resources. We have the resources, the only thing is Ottawa has got them in their bank account and it’s our money. Would the Premier ask the Government of Canada for a 50 percent equity that they are trying to get into the pipeline with our money? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for that. I hope it doesn’t go to show the importance Ottawa places on our government or lack of it. I would like to ask the Premier if he’s communicated to them his disappointment that we are not in the room at the meeting. On something that is so important to the Northwest Territories, we have to be there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's always a pleasure to recognize our former Speaker from Fort Providence, Sam Gargan, and also a former resident of Fort Providence who got swept off her feet downstream and ended up in Tulita, Cheryl Yakeleya. I'd like to welcome them both, Mr. Speaker.

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