Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Premier and it has to do with the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories. In Sachs Harbour, Trout Lake, Colville Lake, Lutselk’e or Gameti, these communities are in remote isolation of the Northwest Territories. The cost of living is astronomical.

I want to ask the Premier, in his discussions with their federal counterparts, is the Government of the Northwest Territories looking at how we can reduce the cost of living in those small communities where there are high unemployment rates.

If young kids in Sachs Harbour can learn the Dene hand games, certainly we can look at some of our regions and the departments that we’re responsible for in the Tlicho, the Deh Cho, the Sahtu, even the Gwich’in coming to Tulita and taking that prize. I want to ask again the Minister, it would be good if we had a GNWT representative look at and understand the Dene culture, and one aspect is to see these magnificent hand games and really understand, okay, this is how the people celebrate life. I know it’s designed for some things, but I’m asking to leave some room for flexibility in the training...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’m happy to see the Minister making some strong efforts in taking care of the opportunities that are in the Sahtu region and the development of some of the business opportunities that could take some presence in regard to the, oil and gas Canol shale play in the Sahtu region.

The Minister is looking at some partnerships within ITI and there are many types of partnerships. I look forward to seeing where there are some various levels of different types of partnerships. We have partnerships with oil and gas, partnerships with the community, with Aboriginal businesses, with...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The vault is slowly opening up so that the needs of the Sahtu can be met.

I want to ask the Minister about hydraulic fracturing. What is the Minister doing with the National Energy Board, federal government and this government to give the people a very clear-cut educational opportunity to know about this technology that would help the industry or harm our environment? What is the Minister doing to make sure the people know what hydraulic fracturing is all about?

What is the Government of the Northwest Territories doing to address the capacity needs in the communities in connection with the exploration activities?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I’d like to also recognize the National Energy Board team, specifically Mr. Brian Chambers – I’ve also done some work with him – and also Chairman Caron.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Shale oil resources promised to secure our energy future and has the potential to change the North forever as the Northwest Territories grapples with the applications for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracking required to tap in to these resources.

We have to weigh the pros and the cons of this technology. The basic drilling and fracturing process has a long history in the oil and gas industry. Experienced drillers and engineers can’t predict a well’s requirements and impacts. Technology is constantly improving. Industry has demonstrated an improvement in using...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to also thank the government for their –

---Applause

Well, you know, when there were things that we talked about in September, the government certainly has listened. I have witnessed this over a period of time that some of the responses to the Sahtu region, because of the oil and gas activity, that we need help in the region. The government has responded in the budget. I have listened to some of our committee meetings and there are some things you win and some things you don’t win. That’s part of the process here.

For the people who elected us in this consensus...

Thank you. I want to ask the Minister how often he meets with federal or industry representatives to discuss the needs of the development in the Sahtu region.