Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Minister, for the clarification. This then poses another question. If they were there in 2008, today is 2012. Four years later we’re finally capturing them? Shouldn’t they have been captured in 2009-2010 or 2010-2011? I guess that’s why I raise the question. I understand what the Minister is saying. Are we just a little slow in government here in capturing some of these positions? That’s just a comment for the officials in approving budgets like this. For me it seems like we’re slipping it in. That’s my comment here. We’re about four years catching up on some stuff that maybe should...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to ask the Minister of this department here, I notice we had a position added there that is in the interim appropriation here and that the added senior department, I could say ADM, why is it in here, then? Rather than go through the normal channels as we usually see it and why is it here in the interim appropriation bill?

The Minister said yesterday that the Nats'ejee K'eh treatment facility has about a 49 percent occupancy rate. Can the Minister look at that treatment program? I know the Deh Cho health services board operates that. Can he look at that as a way to increase the on-the-land treatment programs with the money that they’re not using in the other regions where the communities like Colville Lake say we want on-the-land treatment programs for the people? This is the people’s land and this is where they want to heal. Can the Minister look at that?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.

WHEREAS Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, which marks 60 years since her accession to the throne on February 6, 1952;

AND WHEREAS Her Majesty the Queen will become only the second United Kingdom monarch to mark 60 years on the throne;

AND WHEREAS Royal Jubilees celebrate significant periods in monarchs’ reign and national life;

AND WHEREAS such important milestones in Her Majesty’s personal and public life should be celebrated widely;

AND WHEREAS such events help reinforce the sovereign’s role as a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, February 9, 2012, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Legislative Assembly send the following message to Her Majesty:

Her Majesty the Queen, Most Gracious Sovereign, Queen of Canada:

We, the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories of Canada, wish to extend our sincere congratulations to Your Majesty on this year of celebration marking the 60th anniversary of your accession.

The people of the Northwest Territories have been honoured to welcome Your...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The municipality of Norman Wells held a liquor restriction vote and it was passed some time ago. On February 1st the Town of Norman Wells, the liquor store there will be open to restriction, meaning no restriction, meaning that anybody that comes into the liquor store can purchase liquor.

The effects of liquor and alcohol in our communities is devastating, especially to a small community. I want to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services to help us deal with the impact of alcohol and drugs and other issues that are going to be a problem, potentially hurtful for...

The Aboriginal governments want to have meaningful input at the negotiation table, rather than just being told this is what’s happening, this is how you can participate. Hence, we got the issue of the Gwich’in taking the territorial government to court. I’m not too sure how far we can have discussions on that, but that’s how our relationship has deteriorated with one of the Aboriginal governments that represent a number of communities such as the Gwich’in Tribal Council.

What costs, as the Legislative Assembly, are we willing to pay to put this deal to bed and say that’s it, this is the deal...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke about the devolution earlier this afternoon and I talked about the impacts and probably some of the thoughts in the Northwest Territories. I want to ask the Premier in terms of this devolution deal here, that we have some communities out there, some Aboriginal governments that feel there should be stronger, more meaningful participation in this process. Basically what I’ve been told by some of my people is that the federal government has basically set the time and set the stage for the negotiations in saying the federal government was dictating the process: your...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

I want to say publicly I really appreciate the Minister taking time out of his busy schedule to visit the people in the Sahtu and hear face to face as to what needs to happen on certain issues. That’s really appreciated of this government to get the Ministers into our community.

Now, the Minister indicated to me that he will see when he gets back to Yellowknife how he can work with his colleagues to see what type of support he can get to enhance the on-the-land treatment program. It would be much appreciated. Can the Minister tell me any more than what he has already told the people in the...