Michael Nadli

It seems that once the budget is approved, that’s when things will move.

The other point is people are very familiar with the federal initiative. The federal initiative, not a GNWT initiative, that’s been very successful is the Aboriginal Head Start Program and some communities have taken advantage of that.

In my statement I talked about child poverty, noting the high rate of poverty in small communities. The ECD Action Plan will involve data that measures children’s readiness for school. It’s an internationally recognized instrument called the EDI.

How are kids in small communities performing...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to discuss child poverty and its effect on learning. We know that children are less resilient than adults when their basic needs aren’t met. We know that to thrive and learn, they need nutritious food, a safe place to sleep, loving relationships and stimulating learning opportunities.

Poverty forces people to eat bad food and live in substandard homes. It breeds toxic stress, shame and discouragement. Parents living in poverty are perpetually forced to make trade-offs: pay the rent this month or feed the kids, replace the kids’ outgrown winter clothes or take...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My first comment is related to what I see as the social trend, the trend of social housing and moving away from homeownership. As we know, in communities we are challenged with finding employment and business opportunities, for that matter. Having a job is very far and few. If you do indeed work, you’re working on a seasonal basis. For example, in my home community there’s a large injection of job opportunities at the health centre and that’s not going to start until about April and people manage to get by in terms of trying to make a living, at the same time they...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One of the ongoing and primary interests of aspirations of First Nations people is clearly understanding their role within the union of the NWT. I think for a long time there’s been…(inaudible)…towards development of a Constitution of the NWT. I know right now, we work within a strong link to the federal government through the NWT Act. It’s always been clearly stated by various tables that we should try to maybe spend some effort in developing a Constitution for the NWT in preparation for the ultimate road to provincehood. There are some building blocks that have been...

The Minister has indicated that his staff at ITI should talk to the people of Kakisa to ensure that there is a possibility that beyond the summer and fall they could be operational.

Will the Minister work to ensure that that does indeed happen and that the carrier support from the GNWT will continue with the community? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Kakisa, of course, is a small community, but I’m very pleased to state that the community has been working together, especially to the benefit of the local fishermen. I think DFO has been involved with working with the First Nations community at the same time, and as a product of working together, a small building was constructed.

So my question to the Minister of ITI is: What resources are available for Kakisa to extend the operating season of its fish plant beyond the summer and fall? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you. I’d like to thank the Minister for sharing that information. I have three points, by the way, but my second point is a matter of jurisdiction and that relates to the Hay River Reserve. I know it has been a challenge of this government to try and work through the levels of authority and legislation because the reserve is a unique jurisdiction in the NWT tied with the federal government. I know it has been a dilemma and frustration, at least from constituents, to see houses that remain empty and yet governments are basically stymied of trying to reach a solution. I know there have...

If I could, Mr. Chair, why not?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With regard to the intergovernmental relations, I just wanted to seek some clarification and information. As of April 1, 2014, as we proceed with devolution, I know the Premier has indicated there will be an Intergovernmental Council that will reside with the GNWT plus First Nations people sitting at one table. Is there a provision within the act that will clearly stipulate the role of the Intergovernmental Council? Mahsi.