Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monitoring of program delivery in regional/community service centres is inconsistent

According to the Auditor General, ECE’s monitoring of income security programs delivered by regional and community service centres is inconsistent. Managers in some regions visit community service centres to monitor general program delivery and spending. However, in most regions they did not monitor files in detail for compliance due to costs of travel, staff shortages and workloads.

The OAG found examples of good monitoring practices in some regions. In one region, the manager reviews...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment report to the Standing Committee on Social Programs by April 30th of each year on its progress in implementing the recommendations of the Auditor General and this House with respect to income security programs during the preceding fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to pass on my heartfelt appreciation for my friend here. He is walking his talk and it is much appreciated. The last years with my grandfather, the last 10 or 15 years or so, he spent in a wheelchair, so I appreciate what he’s doing here.

I want to do my Member’s statement on the synthetic natural gas in Norman Wells. Yesterday Member Bisaro talked about you can’t get what you always want, the Rolling Stones tune. Mr. R.C. McLeod followed up with another line from the Rolling Stones: If you try some time, you might just find you get what you need. I like the...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment clarify program requirements for productive choices in its guidance to client service officers and clearly communicate them. Regional managers should also monitor compliance with productive choice requirements and take corrective action where necessary. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment report the turnover rate for its client service officers annually as a performance measure in the department’s business plan. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be short. I do want to thank the Members here, and I thank Ms. Bisaro for seconding this motion and the Members for supporting the motion. I do also want to thank the honourable Members from across to have this in consideration, recognizing the amount of money that we do put into health programs and the amount of money it costs our government due to the abuse of alcohol or just dealing with that issue in our small communities and even in our larger centres here. It is no stranger to anyone what we’re dealing with.

I do want to say that what this motion is saying...

WHEREAS alcohol and drug abuse is increasing throughout the Northwest Territories with devastating effects on family and community well-being and economic opportunity;

AND WHEREAS substance abuse and addictions issues cost the Government of the Northwest Territories millions of dollars in terms of health care and criminal just systems;

AND WHEREAS liquor is a luxury item and taxed, generating revenues for the Government of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS substance abuse treatment and prevention programs are limited and in need of additional resources;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a few words to thank Mr. Dolynny for bringing this motion to the floor. When I first looked at it some time ago and Mr. Hawkins, as Mr. Dolynny pointed out, I didn’t really think much about this from an Aboriginal perspective. When we pass away, we are buried with all our parts. I had a hard time to come to grips with this, not until I heard some reports that a young man here in Yellowknife saved lives in Edmonton. I thought that was something. It must have taken a sacrifice by the family, just coming into a belief of a person who is deceased and how you do that...

The town of Inuvik, the government’s going to spend about $300,000 exploring long-term energy solutions for that community. We’re in a similar situation.

I want to ask this government here, what are the resources going to be allocated to help the town of Norman Wells to find a long-term renewable energy solution like they have done with the town of Inuvik.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Member’s statement – and I used several references to Member Bisaro’s and Minister R.C. McLeod – I want to ask Premier Bob McLeod, Minister of MACA, to follow in line with these questions. Like the Rolling Stones, I can’t get no satisfaction.

The town of Norman Wells is looking for some satisfaction and answers on their long-term energy solutions. Next year at this time, the town is going to be off of the natural gas system. What is this government doing to ensure that the town has a solution for their long-term energy needs?