Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister to outline, for this side of the House and the public: how will his department lead in terms of the framework of ensuring that discussions on contaminants and work with communities? Mahsi.

The barren land caribou in NWT has been significantly reduced. In the communities, we have challenges. The costs of goods are fairly high. Right now we're seeing the heavy beat of the mantra that we are in very dark economic times. What efforts are the Minister and his department making to continue to ensure that the traditional economy and the harvest of the traditional foods are promoted and enhanced?

Mr. Speaker, Traditional food has an important place in culture. Food is essential to who we are as people, both biologically and spiritually. Food from the land makes your spirit and body stronger, but the impacts of climate change and heavy industry on natural environment are becoming more and more evident in our traditional food supply. People are wondering about health risks associated with consuming country foods. Researchers from the University of Waterloo are conducting a study on the risks posed to residents' health from locally acquired foods. A research team has been working with...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do have a committee motion that I wanted to bring forward. With that, I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of Government of Northwest Territories 2016-2019, be amended on page 17 by deleting the words “Increasing cultural programming and education and revitalizing Aboriginal languages” and inserting the words “Increasing cultural programming and education, revitalizing Aboriginal languages and promoting use of official languages.”

Earlier I asked my first question to the Minister, and again, I'll reiterate that question. Can the Minister reassure this House and the public that there are measurements and efforts being made by his department to ensure and reassure the public that the level of contaminants in the traditional foods that are consumed mostly by small communities is not at a level that the public should be alarmed about?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my statement, I highlighted the University of Waterloo and their work with communities, especially in regards to small communities that have a very traditional base economy and rely on it in terms of their consumption of traditional foods. Here in the Northwest Territories, I think there's been a particular focus on climate change, because, you know, we all understand and know some of the visible evidence that we're experiencing in terms of global warming and its impact on the environment, especially the wildlife. There are some studies that are attempting to...

I would like to thank once again the Minister had indicated that it's actually unrealistic for us to come up with a true figure for homelessness. We've seen other jurisdictions across Canada, including the city of Medicine Hat, that set out a goal to eradicate homelessness, and they are pretty close to that reality. Is it the goal of this government to eventually eradicate homeless in NWT?

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Homelessness. The question is in regards to the conflicting figures that sometimes we use. The point is that homeless people are just not numbers. They are actually people, so my question is to the Minister: what steps is the Minister taking to correct the conflicting figures in terms of homelessness and to try to get a true picture, especially as it relates to engaging our federal colleagues in regard to funding on housing and homelessness? Mahsi

Mr. Speaker, homelessness looks different in the North than in southern Canada. Homelessness is less visible here, but just as distressing. Our harsh winter temperatures force the homeless indoors where they wind up couch surfing, moving between the homes of family and friends for two or three days at a time. They arrive late, leave early, and spend their days walking around. They struggle with addictions. They hide from local housing organizations so their hosts don't suffer the consequences such as increased rent or renovations for housing an extra person. It's a hard life.

The statistics on...

I just wanted to take the opportunity just to say briefly in my language in terms of the topic of discussion at this point, just for the sake of our Aboriginal listeners. [English translation not provided.]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The mandate is essentially the agenda, or the work plan, of this government for the next four years. I support the mandate, the spirit and intent of ensuring that we have an agenda in the next four years in terms of addressing the priorities of the people of the NWT, ensuring that the families and individuals in our communities are well taken care of. That's basically...