Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is true that the theme song for devolution should be “you can’t always get what you want,” except in this case we can’t get what we want or what we need. What we need is more jobs in the smaller communities and the capacity to fill those jobs with local residents. Where there is hope, there is despair. Once people have jobs, they have hope. When people are working they can support their families. They contribute to their communities and look forward to a better future.

I say this to remind the government the devolution promise of more jobs in the communities is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories is home to half the population of the Dene and Inuvialuit, called Denendeh, the territory of Treaties 8 and 11 of 1899 and 1921, which were viewed as historical treaties by Canada unless you have a negotiated final agreement.

The Dehcho and Tlicho are regarded as unsettled areas in negotiations with Canada and the GNWT. For that same manner, the Metis are also negotiating. Regions that have settled land claims are regarded as modern treaties. Treaties between First Nations and Canada are protected under Section 356 of the Constitution, which...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question is: Would there be any positions decentralized to Fort Providence? Mahsi.

Thank you. That’s disappointing. Can this government help a community like Fort Providence and recognize it as a regional centre so the community is able to benefit from decentralization? Mahsi.

To me the biggest challenge will be to assist people living in the communities to qualify and train for those jobs that devolution promises.

I look forward to hearing more about how the government will rise to the challenge through the Regional Recruitment Strategy. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, will be supporting this motion. I would like to thank my colleagues for leading the initiative and the development of this draft. What I would like to at least point out is that if cost is a factor, one group that we keep out of the loop at times is the federal government. If I can recall, the federal government has obligations to ensure that there are equitable programs and services delivered for the citizens of the NWT. I hope that Cabinet at some point remembers that and carries that message to Ottawa. Mahsi.

I do appreciate the Premier being straightforward in terms of perhaps relaying or at least lessening the hopes and aspirations of small communities, basically saying that cost is a big factor at this point.

When can small communities realistically expect the benefits of decentralization? Mahsi.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has considered Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act. Bill 24 is a private member’s bill brought forward by Mr. Norman Yakeleya, Member for Sahtu. It amends the Liquor Act to allow for regional decision-making on liquor sales in the Sahtu region.

During the month of September, the Standing Committee on Government Operations conducted public hearings on the bill in Yellowknife, Deline, Fort Good Hope, Tulita and Norman Wells.

One amendment was made to the bill, with the concurrence of the Minister, during the committee...

From a cost standpoint, can the Minister expect to see 33 different on-the-land programs or will the Minister provide leadership and develop a policy framework to ensure the efficiency of the delivery of the on-the-land programs? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government is a big government. It’s got lots of people and lots of money. It’s a big system that operates on a daily basis. Of course, its mission is to deliver programs and services to people. At this point, people are asking for help in trying to take that first step in admitting they do have a problem and they want to sober up. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. What immediate steps is the department taking to support established on-the-land programs? Mahsi.