Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, will not be supporting the bill in its present form. I understand that this is in principle, and I understand that the spirit and the intent of this bill is to protect the forest. The forest legislation proposes, of course, a regulatory system, and we have been told that it is a framework that will basically guide any form of development related to forestry in the NWT.

As everybody is aware, devolution changed things. I think that the whole idea behind devolution is that we are at that age where we could be responsible for our lands and resources. There are...

In the community of Fort Providence, and more likely some other communities that had undertaken programs to try to increase the level of services that could be brought into the community, and particularly for elders, there was a program that was operated by the band. I am just curious as to why the funding for the Deh Gah Gotie homemaker program was discontinued?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement on homecare services, my questions are to the Minister of Health and Social Services. It's said that we have a growing number of senior-aged people in the country, and especially here in the NWT, and so this government has gone on record to say that we encourage our elders to live in their homes for as long as possible. How does the department determine what elders may need? Sorry, I will rephrase that question. How does the department determine what elders may need in terms of special care in order for them to live well in their own homes? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Women in the NWT said one of the biggest barriers to their participation in politics is their role as caretakers of household and family. Overall, there was a strong sense that women are expected, and often expect of themselves, to be the caretaker of extended families. Their professional work and caring for family often leaves little time for preparing to participate in politics.

The committee also heard about poverty and how it heightens the pressure on women to provide for children and family. We heard often that women provide financially for the extended family and...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Me, too. I just wanted to acknowledge the efforts from all sides, including the Cabinet Ministers who were involved with advancing this forward. I think that we all realize the real need for such a system to be set in place here in the Northwest Territories, basically because of the need for more public safety and, of course, emergency situations. Therefore, it is timely that we move forward on this.

I know that there had been efforts from the 17th Assembly, as far as previous Assemblies that had wished that such a system would be in place. Now we have seen the advancement...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to honour a late elder on this day, International Women's Day, the late Elder Elise Gargan. She was quoted in sharing her stories in the Book of Elders, Nahecho Keh, and usually I read it in Slavey, but this time I wanted to read it in English.

These are quotes from Elise Gargan. Elise Gargan was born on March 12, 1926, up river from Fort Providence:

"When I was young, I really loved the elders. I used to wash their clothes and heat water for them so they could wash, just as if they were the parents I never had. I believe that, for every cup of tea I placed before...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to the principle of the bill and mainly because here in the Northwest Territories we live in a vast and remote part of Canada, and, of course, the cost of living is very high. Recently in the media, it was brought to the public's attention that, our income support, the cost of income support is increasing, with more of our people depending on supplements from this government to put food on our table. So how could we rationalize adding more of a burden on the average people in the average communities the North? It just boggles me. So, for those...

[English translation not provided]

Mr. Speaker, David was a beloved dad, brother, uncle, and friend. He passed away on October 26, 2015, at the age of 77.

David's daughter Ruby says that her dad loved playing fiddle, especially playing with Johnny Landry, Alberta Canadien, and the boys. He also taught fiddle to young men in the community, and was teaching his granddaughter, Jody, too.

Mr. Speaker, music was very important to David. He didn't play to be famous. He just loved to play fiddle, and to sing and dance, and he loved talent shows. Whenever there was a talent show or other performance...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am excited to report that today is the first day of the 37th Annual K'amba Carnival. That's right; since before some of my honourable colleagues were born, a team of dedicated volunteers from K'atlodeeche First Nation, led by super volunteer Diane Fabian, have organized a winter festival that has been going strong since 1982.

This winter gathering commonly sees visitors from northern Alberta and British Columbia, and from all over the Northwest Territories. Many also come home especially for the carnival.

The carnival takes place on the first weekend of March. This year...

I think the department is on the right path. There is some innovation in terms of thinking, to try to decolonize the society here in the North, especially attitudes towards incarceration, and so can the Minister commit to considering the implementation of specialized courts programming for individuals with FASD in the NWT?