Sahtu

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier of the Northwest Territories. I want to ask the Premier some questions around the Norman Wells proven area. Specifically, I want to target on the resource revenue issue with the Government of Canada. I want to ask the Premier, in regard to this issue here, if the Government of Canada is holding firm on their stance that this area here is not a resource revenue sharing deal other than they have other interests, such as a commercial venture, and if there are any other type of discussions to see if they will move away from that definition.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use my last Member’s statement of this long winter session to pay tribute to a Canadian icon who died recently – as my friend Mr. Bouchard also did – the one and only Stompin’ Tom Connors.

Stompin’ Tom was a friend to all Canadians and wrote timeless songs about our great country from sea to sea. In his honour, I’d like to perform my own version of a song he didn’t write but often performed.

I was walking the winter road from Tulita to Norman Wells

when along came a trucker like a bat out of hell.

If you’re going to The Wells, he says,

with me you can ride.

I...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Democracy means many things to many different people. Democracy is certainly a form of government where people rule through their elected MLAs. The people are the absolute and supreme form of political authority. As we, as legislators, from time to time vote on behalf of our people, such as the budget process or the motions brought up in this Assembly, we are the people’s voice. We were put here by the very fact that we will represent our people in these legislative halls of government.

We stand today on new ground with the old ways of doing things. We achieved a new...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 25)

Mr. Speaker, I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on March 14, 2013, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, May 29, 2013;

AND FURTHER, that any time prior to May 29, 2013, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and 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 House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say, because, again, in my research, there were regulations, a management regime, and in the time when they were making the deal, Aboriginal people didn’t even have the right to vote in Canada. These were all being done on Aboriginal lands that we’re supposed to have a treaty. Now we’re taking over devolution, and part of taking over devolution is the 24 acts, regulations and legislation that we’re going to take over. One of them is the Canadian Petroleum Act, I think, and I want to make sure that we are set and the federal government is not going to interfere with...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 24)

Thank you. I appreciate the Minister being straightforward and clear with me. So thank you very much. I have no more questions.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 24)

We look forward to it once that day arrives, and the Minister and his staff will be prepared to start dealing with the Deline self-government. I know they’re close to organizing themselves to have the final vote, and then we’ll see what we can do within the Legislative Assembly.

I guess, just to say that it’s quite exciting to talk at this level, talking about the Tlicho Government. They’ve come a long way and I just want to say that I never thought that in my day and age that we would come to this type of realization where we’re talking government to government. I look forward to the Minister...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 24)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the Proposal to Emergency Preparedness Plan: A Community Plan for the People of Tulita.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 24)

The community of Tulita and the people in the Sahtu, even government departments came and said, what can we do within these couple of hours we have. The hamlet did a fantastic job. The government showed up with resources. They allowed their people to come and help us. That’s the right thing to do in the small communities.

I want to ask the Minister, with regard to the emergency search and rescue funding, can the Minister bring forward a type of initial discussion paper to see how we can fund these emergency search and rescue efforts in our communities?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A terrible tragedy affected Tulita this past summer. As many may be aware, this past June a young woman named Nicole Horassi went missing. Nicole’s remains were discovered by a search and rescue volunteer the following month. On Friday, July 13th, Nicole’s body was found floating in the Mackenzie River.

Nicole’s death was heartbreaking for everyone that knew her. Nicole was a beautiful, bright young woman that died far too young. Nicole’s passing showed us that tragedy can, and does, strike at any moment. In many instances it happens suddenly, without any warning.

I’m...