Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s high time we overhaul our education system in the North. I’m so glad that’s finally happening today. The Minister has done a lot of public consultation that will go on throughout the summer. It is especially important that we listen to the small communities, both parents and leaders.

I want to talk about what is at stake. We’re talking about the future of our children, our future as a territory where our children have the skills and knowledge they will need to live well in this world. Will they have the tools to solve their own problems and create their own future?...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Moses.

Key Notes to the Financial Statements for 2011-12

Note 6: Accounts Receivable

The standing committee noted with concern the substantial increase in the accounts receivable from the Government of Nunavut, which is close to $10 million. Most of this sum relates to health, and according to the Comptroller General, $2 million is non-collectable. Maintaining such a large interest-free receivable has cost implications for the GNWT, in that the government may have to borrow and pay interest on additional funds for its own needs, in addition to the loss of...

Under the land claims, not all the land claims have a golden pot waiting for them to fund certain programs. There are permitted activities in the land claim that would also allow them to service some of the activities in the communities such as programs and school programs and such, so they don’t have the ready, available funds at times. That is why I am asking the Premier if he would look at this review again to see if it makes sense within the communities in the land claims that help the people through these activities that are allowed in the land claim chapters.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the NGO Stabilization Fund. Through the process, there was a review and there were no changes at that time.

I want to ask the Premier, in regard to this fund, will the department again look at reviewing this NGO Stabilization Fund in light of what he is hearing today, to ensure that some of these programs, some of these fundings can get to some of the critical services that some of our people are delivering now on a voluntary basis in our communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we are talking about the NGO Stabilization Fund that was established back in the 16th Assembly to help out the organizations that are doing a lot of good work in the Northwest Territories, and it’s not easy to make ends meet for these organizations. A lot of people welcomed the NGO Stabilization Fund when it was first established, but in our small communities, and especially for our elders, it has been a disappointment. Elders in Yellowknife are very fortunate to have Aven Manor and all the programs that go with it. I know our elders in the Sahtu would really...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provides a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories table an upgraded progress report on the implementation plan for the committee’s recommendations concerning access to information and protection of privacy presented in the House since 2008, during or before the fall of 2013 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 6, 2013, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that notwithstanding Rule 4, when the House adjourns on June 6, 2013, it shall be adjourned until Thursday, October 17, 2013;

And further, that any time prior to October 17, 2013, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and the Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the...

My focus is because these are probably one of the most efficient and effective operations that give NGOs support in our communities and the land claims is one of the biggest ones here.

I want to ask the Minister, would he also look at the eligible NGOs policy where it says if in Yellowknife you receive $50,000 or more in funding from the GNWT annually, so that’s an automatic $50,000 that goes to Yellowknife if you’re a Yellowknife NGO. So is that somewhere else where the regions can also get that type of funding automatically on an annual basis if we can make out a policy that’s equally shared...

Certainly, the Premier is correct on the NGOs delivering essential services in our communities that support the government’s objectives of healthy, strong communities and also developing capacities, and to manage programs and services.

I want to ask the Minister, in regard to the review, the society sometimes needs to be in good standing or needs to be registered within the Northwest Territories are created under a federal statute. I want to ask if the Minister can look at the flexibility of this eligibility of NGOs to include groups like land claims or other groups that also do essential...