Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In light of the responsibility of taking on more authority and responsibility for public lands and resources through the Devolution Agreement, it has always been at point at reality that what drove, perhaps, people to work together is just the uncertainty of First Nations and other governments. Recently there has been a trend towards land claim negotiations involving tripartite structures involving both levels of governments, federal and territorial governments and First Nations governments. Born out of those efforts, we have land claim regimes. One very distinctive...

I’d like to thank the Minister for his reply. I know there are test kits that people can get in stores for about fifty bucks that could be made available.

Will the Minister provide leadership and start a program for spot checks for radon in NWT communities and provide the results? I understand the Minister and the department is indeed taking measures to do tests, but when and where will those tests happen? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I talked about radon gas and its prevalence in the NWT. We are all aware that climate change is occurring throughout the world, but mostly so in the NWT. We have seen the temperature rise, affecting the permafrost in some instances, as permafrost is indeed melting. My question is to the Minister of the Housing Corporation.

When was the last round of testing for radon done in the NWT communities by the Housing Corporation? Mahsi.

…(inaudible)…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The commercial builders, especially in office and apartment buildings with enclosed foundations, have to test for radon and publish the results. If not, why not? Mahsi.

What is being done to make sure the public is aware of the dangers of radon gas and how to prevent radon exposure and how to test for it?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Most of us tend to think that the natural environment is good for us, but it is not always true. Our elders and experienced hunters know that the land feeds us and nurtures, but it can also be dangerous. Knowledge of dangerous areas is passed on from generation to generation. Of course, our elders have no experience with radon gas, which is invisible and has no taste or smell, and it has never bothered them. We know that radon is found at low levels almost everywhere and it’s not dangerous that way, but in high concentrations over time radon can cause lung cancer.

Radon...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Take a Kid Trapping is a popular program through Industry, Tourism and Investment. It’s designed to introduce youth in the NWT to the traditional harvesting practices of hunting, trapping, fishing and outdoor survival.

[Translation] The students that are going to school are also taking up trapping. They set the traps and snares and also learn how to fish. In the past, our history, our elders have been able to make a trap and make a living doing such. Secondary school students, starting on March 7th, will be doing an on-the-land program, then in one week they will check...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just some general points, like my colleagues, and more likely a repeat of some issues that are common throughout the NWT that affect the Department of Transportation.

Foremost in my mind is the concept that when you’re driving down a public road and you incur some problems, either it’s a vehicle accident or fatality and you’re there to try and respond, I think the lead agency in trying to provide a service for the travelling public should be the Department of Transportation. I realized over the course of the two years that I’ve been here that I’ve been observing the...

Mr. Speaker, it’s a great honour to recognize Mr. Albert and Caroline Bonnetrouge, who are respected elders from Fort Providence. They are here to witness the proceedings of the Assembly. Also, two former constituents of mine, Jackie and Shyo.