Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two hardworking people that I know from the Department of Transportation: Steve Loutitt and Michael Conway. I would also like to recognize the students doing a great job for getting a good, strong message out in the community. Thank you very much. Of course, I want to mention Bronson, Mr. Dolynny’s boy. A good chap. Your dad is working hard, Bronson. And of course, Emma, who has also just been recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One point that Mr. Bromley made mention to is the Sahtu Land Use Plan. The Premier talked about that specific land use plan and I spoke to the board and member for the Sahtu Use Plan and March 5th was the 30-day time period for feedback to the final draft of the Sahtu Land Use Plan. I’m very curious as to a couple of issues that need to be worked out with the GNWT before it goes to the Cabinet for final approval, and the SSI would also be needing to give its final approval. Once the final approvals of both governments, then they ship it over to the federal government for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are builders in the North. The North is building itself, and now we are living in interesting times. We just completed the Deh Cho Bridge and we’re nearing completion of the Devolution Agreement. Now our eyes are focused on the Mackenzie Valley Highway. I am pleased to be able to provide my support for the Mackenzie Valley Highway and also for the Tuk-Inuvik road.

I know that the leadership in the Mackenzie Beaufort region has worked hard for many years and worked with both governments to make this project a reality. I believe this project will benefit the residents...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to make a comment here to the regional operations. I spoke to the people in my region and they’re very, very happy that the regional operations for the overall management and the single window services centres are very good. I think they really were happy that we are continuing support and expanding in my region. They were quite happy with this. I think they said this is probably the best thing since sliced bread here. The people are happy and the people could have operations done in their own language, so this was good. Whoever thought about this idea, I mean...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to ask the Premier and his staff with this issue of devolution. We’re on the brink of some major changes in the Northwest Territories. We really are yet trying to assume and presume what kind of changes are going to come with devolution. We’re preparing our best. We’re getting our tools ready, and we’re getting the people ready, and we’re getting the communities ready for how it will impact our communities. One of the things I know about this change here, is that we must spread the word that devolution is coming. One of the things is, when I was even in the...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have questions for the Minister on this page here. One has to do with the coroner’s office. If the coroner’s office takes into consideration the Aboriginal culture and tradition when they have to do their work in regard to dealing with people in the Aboriginal communities.

Thank you. I’m going to have to disagree with the Minister there. I’m not growing old. We have matured together. We have worked together on this issue, and we’ve had discussions. This is one of the most complex and serious issues that we’ve talked about. I’m really encouraged by the Minister to say that there’s a possibility of looking at some things like how do we work together.

Liquor is provided in the Northwest Territories. That’s one of the things that we do as a government or any government across Canada. On the other hand, it has such a destructive force that I keep bringing it up to the...

Mr. Speaker, while I was at the Sahtu Dene Council annual general meeting, people were asking me. We need to have some solid programs on the land in the Sahtu. Because of the increase of the alcohol in the Sahtu and the lifting of the Norman Wells liquor store to unrestricted sales, I have been personally told that people are buying more than they’re allowed to once they come into our communities.

Because the Nats’ejee K’eh is at a 40 percent occupancy rate, we have some money. Can the Minister look at that budget and say we are going to shift some of that money to help our people elsewhere...

Mr. Chair, I look forward to the information from the Minister. In 2011-12 the Territorial Liquor Commission had sales about $46.3 million. Gross sales increased over the previous year by 1.6 percent. In regard to the Liquor Commission, there are goals and objectives. One of them is to educate people on responsible alcohol use and not abusing it. Can the Minister briefly tell me what type of promotional programs they have out there to support their goals and initiatives under this Liquor Commission?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the research I’ve been given in regard to the alcohol that’s been increasing in the Sahtu, I want to just ask the Minister of Health and Social Services. In Norman Wells, the percentage of alcohol-related calls for service – and this is by the Department of Justice – in 2009 was 23 percent; in 2012 it was 52 percent. In Tulita it was 20 percent in 2009; 2012, it was 47 percent.

You see the increase of alcohol because of a number of factors. I think, myself, we believe that the Norman Wells liquor store has lifted the unrestricted sales of liquor there. I want to ask...