Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That begs the next question. When will we see full transportation authority or services program into the Sahtu and other departments like the Department of Justice in terms of those type of responsibilities coming to the Sahtu region? The Premier has said in the near future; however, I’m looking for more specific timelines to that question. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize a very special person in my life and a big supporter. She is awesome. She is my spouse, Cheryl Bonnetrouge here.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize a huge delegation from Deline on this MACA training. I can see Christine and Jane Modeste. I think I see Greg Bayha. I can’t see further. I am not as tall as I used to be.

---Laughter

I would like to recognize some good people from MACA who are also in this program here and the instructor Judith Knapp who is doing a wonderful job. I think Mrs. Beck is up there, too. I am...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a band called the Bare Naked Ladies sings a song called If I Had a Million Dollars. Mr. Speaker, I always liked the song. Again, I have my own version to share with the House. I performed a version of this song during last year’s budget session. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the rules of this House still do not allow guitars or keyboards or even backup singers to be with me, so you have to bear with me as I read my Sahtu version.

We certainly want to take the jobs out of Yellowknife here. So I want to ask the Premier, again, how will the department programs be coordinating the territorial agendas and also with the regional agendas in terms of having these regional superintendents situated in our regions? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we’re going to be waiting for a long time in the Sahtu in terms of types of superintendents we’re going to have in our region. So anyhow, that’s for another day. I wanted to ask the Premier, will the regional superintendents of the Executive be able to override the deputy ministers in providing directions to other departmental superintendents? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. With the appointment of the regional superintendents of the Executive, how much autonomy will the Sahtu region now have to conduct its own affairs? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, if I had a billion dollars, I will establish a territorial one-stop shop elders’ secretariat. Listen to the elders’ concerns. You are born to do that.

If I had a billion dollars, I will build a road to connect the Sahtu. Then we connect to the south and show them a thing or two. Would the Tuk people help, too?

If I had a billion dollars on the winter road, I would build a Tim’s just to drive through. It’s such a smooth trip. We won’t even have to stop in or spill my double double, too.

If I had a billion dollars, I will enhance and develop the wilderness camp because you just...

Is this funding ongoing funding? I know the Minister said a one-time pilot project. Is this funding available next year and the year after? Thank you.

Thank you. I think you have to go in the communities to see the kind of centres they have there and the kind of buildings they have to operate out of and you would see it right there. So we don’t have to create that perception in terms of look at Colville Lake, look at their health centre, look at the equipment they have there and the type of needs that are required there. All things like that in the other smaller communities. So this is the reality in our health care system. Again, there’s just different levels of services I guess in larger centres requiring more and more, I don’t know...

Thank you. So is this a practice by this government to support these types of buildings that need improvements, or office space, or renovations, because I’m having a difficult time right now to know some double standards? So is this common practice that this building gets improved by this government to help out a landlord? Thank you.