Statements in Debates
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am aware that our Minister had been chair at the national level of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group. That chairmanship ends this summer, so I just wanted to maybe ask whether the Minister could maybe highlight for us in terms of the GNWT’s involvement at the national level and how perhaps we have influenced the national agenda in terms of addressing the Aboriginal issues across Canada, and more so for the NWT. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Maybe I can be corrected in the presentation of the positions. Perhaps we could maybe see a breakdown, a distinction, between Deh Cho and Nahendeh. Thank you.
No, thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've seen other jurisdictions across Canada successfully provide incentives for people with disabilities. In the Northwest Territories we already have precedents. Precedents of providing assistance to seniors' fuel subsidies as one example. Will the Minister commit to review this issue through the government's inventory of available services? Mahsi.
I'd like to thank the Minister for his reply. The services that the Minister outlines, can he provide an explanation in terms of those services that are available to disabled persons at the community level, and at the same at the territorial level?
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I must raise an issue brought to me by one of my constituents. In my riding of the Deh Cho there is a need for fuel subsidy for those with disabilities. For a bit of background, a program like this is already in place for elders and seniors. The Senior Home Heating Subsidy helps low-income seniors heat their homes, providing access to wood, oil, propane, gas, and/or electricity. But like many seniors, many people with disabilities live on fixed incomes. If they are approved by income assistance, they may be able to access a monthly disability allowance and incidental...
Maybe a final question on this section there, Mr. Chair. With negotiations I mean there are impasses and points of disagreements. Really what happens is the parties just agree to disagree and, unfortunately at some moments in time the negotiation's evolution points would be arrived at. It could be inevitable that, you know, you do have very fundamental differences of parties. Would there be maybe down the line, you know, other jurisdictions have kind of dealt with the idea of dispute mechanisms in terms of trying to bring mediation of parties together and to try and at least put a very good...
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Since 2011 to 2016, I mean, five years have passed and more likely we've seen the main interest point would be more likely legal challenges within the Supreme Court, the more likely would reverberate with policies with governments across Canada. At this point is there a particular focus that perhaps this government would have in terms of ensuring that a mandate is fairly focused but at the same time it considers, you know, some of the legal precedents that have been set perhaps at the national level. Would the regular side of this House be involved with perhaps maybe...
I'd like to thank the Minister for her reply. How will Regular Members on this side of the House and the public be involved in the development of the Energy Plan?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize several people from my riding. Chief Lloyd Chicot from the Kakisa First Nation. At the same time, I would like to acknowledge and recognize the National Chief Bill Erasmus from the Dene Nation as well, also some former elders that I had worked with in our community, especially Elder Gabe Hardisty from Wrigley First Nation. I don't know if he is still in the audience, but perhaps other members that might be here from the Elders’ Council including James Christy. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.