Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some weeks ago, I was at the Legislative Assembly when I saw my name on the computer. You can imagine my surprise when I saw a picture of the roof of the Samuel Hearne Secondary School classroom under the weight of a heavy snowstorm. I graduated from that school, Mr. Speaker. Is this what things have come to, Mr. Speaker? Will we be known across the country as a territory up north where schools are falling under the watchful eye of the government? I am thankful no one was particularly hurt, Mr. Speaker. It’s an unfortunate time for mishap, Mr. Speaker....

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is on affordable housing in the Sahtu. Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of the communities across the Northwest Territories that need more adequate, suitable and affordable housing. Housing in the communities is crucial today. The situation in the Sahtu is no exception. The lack of affordable housing in my constituency affects people across the board; elders, families and single people. Residents are suffering from overcrowded housing and many houses are in desperate need of major repairs. Not too long ago, Mr. Speaker, I learned about a Fort Good...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The motion is to support the Mackenzie Valley pipeline development.

WHEREAS the development of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline will be underway during the life of the 15th Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories resources should be developed in a manner that provides for the greatest benefit to all parties, including northern people, communities, businesses, governments and industry;

AND WHEREAS the construction of a natural gas pipeline through the Mackenzie Valley area will support the development of additional infrastructure which will benefit NWT communities;

AND...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, April 2, 2004, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that the 15th Legislative Assembly is committed to working cooperatively in support of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline;

And further that this Legislative Assembly is committed to working cooperatively and endorses the efforts of the Premier and Executive Council to seek with the aboriginal governments and the Government of Canada the control of our natural resources and the sharing among northern governments of resource...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my written question is to the Honourable Joe Handley, Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation.

Can the Minister provide a current dollar estimate on a one-rate power structure that would provide an adequate rate of return to the NWT Power Corporation?

Can the Minister provide information on the project costs to maintain the NWT power subsidy program at current rates over the next five years?

Can the Minister provide the Assembly with information on the direction provided to the board of directors of the NWT Power Corporation in making the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister about the training programs. I know you have been working with the Sahtu health board and the other communities. I want to ask abut the training programs in the regions. In the report you talk about the Inuvik regional health board, the Hay River regional health board and so forth in terms of the training programs for the smaller communities; especially in the Sahtu, I'm not too sure. Has the department given any indications in terms of providing some training in the Sahtu communities in terms of the TB? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago, I asked the Minister of Health and Social Services to table some information on TB in the Northwest Territories, and this morning I received a report on the action plan for TB in the Northwest Territories. They had an expert do the work, and this report included 26 recommendations to improve the Northwest Territories TB program. It talks about early detection and decreasing the spread of this contagious disease. Mr. Speaker, in light of that, I would like to ask the Minister if he is willing to commit to work with the Minister of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister recommend to his department to look at the…In Sahtu there is the high cost of doing business up there and can the Minister recommend from his department costs that could minimize the cost of building log houses in terms of pricing of windows, doors and roofing for single people, single men that would like to have a log house in their communities? It takes a lot of effort and time for the communities to gather this information. Can this department put together a pricing package that would be suitable and affordable in the Sahtu region for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during the review of the proposed budget for the Housing Corporation during the last week, the honourable Minister spoke about the number of program objectives that really support increased community involvement and participation and decision-making increases, and personal responsibility in order to break the cycle of dependency that are desperately needed in the Sahtu region. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier in my Member’s statement, I see it as personal pride to own a home as very important. In the pride of building a home for oneself is perhaps the...

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