Michael Nadli

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Board of Management provide sufficient additional funding for the Human Rights Commission to review the NWT Human Rights Act in the context of current Canadian human rights legislation and Northwest Territories realities and make recommendations in its next annual report.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has submitted its report number 1-17(4) on the Review of the 2011-2012 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report.

The committee’s report, which includes three recommendations, was read into the record by the chair of the committee, and with the kind consent of the Assembly, a motion was passed to move the report into Committee of the Whole.

This report thanks the past chair, members, and staff of the Human Rights Commission for their exemplary efforts to promote the understanding of human rights and...

One community in particular is trying to advance protected areas, and they’ve been working on that for a long time, especially elders that have committed to believing that this process will work on behalf of the communities. PAS areas throughout the North would benefit all Northerners.

What options are available to the Dehcho to continue to advance areas for permanent protection?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Quite a few years back, the Berger Commission, of course, travelled all over the NWT, and in his report he outlined that before any major development happened, there had to be an effort in particular areas. Recently, there was a vision that envisioned that there would be a network of protected areas from the Yellowstone to the Yukon. Of course, with the initiative on the Protected Areas Strategy in the NWT, it’s brought international recognition.

My question to the Minister: What is the Government of...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, March 14, 2013, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that the Government of the Northwest Territories enhance its work in the area of ground ambulance and highway rescue by emphasizing training and preparation for emergencies outside of municipal boundaries;

And further, that the government bring forward legislation within the next 12 months to update the Fire Prevention Act and to make any amendments required to make provisions for ground ambulance and highway rescue services;

And...

When will the Minister declare that Aboriginal languages are on a serious verge of decline and also at the serious stage of extinction, and call for more resources at the community level?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I made a statement in my language in terms of the Aboriginal Languages Month. So my question is to the Minister. We all are concerned that our languages are in decline and we know parents have a role, families, communities and, of course, government. So we have regional districts and then, of course, headquarters and departments and the Minister. I want to know where is the effort to preserve and enhance the language. Where is the concentration and effort? At which level is the most priority? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a final question to the Minister. I think he mentioned that there is an upcoming language symposium here in Yellowknife. What are the goals of the symposium and at the same time how did the department effectively…(inaudible)…

Thank you. I’d like to thank the Minister for his response. It’s been 25 years since the Official Languages Act has passed. How is that act helping in preserving the Aboriginal languages in the NWT? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. About 7,200 Northwest Territories residents speak one of nine Aboriginal languages. Five of the NWT’s official languages have fewer than 500 speakers; six languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers, eight languages have fewer than 1,500 including South Slavey, and only one has more than 2,500 people that speak it, from the 2009 statistics.

[Translation] The government has spent $3.5 million on Aboriginal languages and a lot of the money goes to the Dene Secretariat. The district of education also gets a certain amount of money and also towards the schools. It seems like...