Robert Villeneuve

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, these proposed changes and recommendations that this government has been working on over the past six months seem to be really dragging on and I think in the last session people weren’t looking for some major changes to the program, they’re not too bad to say the least, but all Members were looking for is just some tweaking in the Income Security Program, the Seniors’ Rent Subsidy Program, even the Rent Scale Program. All we were asking for is some small changes that make big difference for the people out in the smaller communities. So what’s the big holdup...

Marci, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, we, all in this House, know the importance of the Income Security Program and other subsidy programs this government delivers to northern residents. I just wanted to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Honourable Charles Dent, if any review of these subsidy programs and the Income Security Program has been developed to date, because I think he mentioned six months ago that, oh well, we should have some proposed changes and recommendations in about six months or so. I got it in the Hansard from six months ago that he actually...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided) Mr. Speaker, I just want to say how nice it is to be back and I’m happy to see all my colleagues here back in the Leg and hopefully in good health and good spirits.

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Mr. Speaker, I’m also glad because last Friday, October 13th, 2006, I was honoured to attend a milestone signing ceremony between the federal government and the Lutselk’e Dene Band in my Tu Nedhe riding of Lutselk’e. The memorandum of understanding was signed at a community feast hosted by the Lutselk’e Dene Band. It was signed by the chief, Adeline Jonasson, of the Lutselk’e...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the importance of the program, as do a lot of clients and people in the NWT, but I just want to specify I think why it’s so difficult to change or even tweak these programs is because they’re so old. The bureaucracy is so used to delivering these programs there is just no appetite for change. You know, a lot of people in the public service do good work, but a lot of them don’t want to change. You know, they’ve been there so long and they’re so used to some programs and the way it’s delivered, that there is just refusal in the regions, at the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If there has been some recommendations and reviews done, and I’m sure if it’s gone to the standing committee, but to my knowledge the standing committee is telling me there’s nothing in the business plans. These business plans are five-year plans, Mr. Speaker, you know, and if you’re reviewing and making recommendations on program changes and developments, maybe they should be included in the business plans for that year and the next five years to come. You know, the importance of these programs, I know over the last six months things are really quiet on the NWT...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize one of the Akaitcho chiefs, Chief Peter Liske and the former chief, Richard Edjericon. I think that is Joyce beside him. No? Okay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Definitely we need some real attention paid to the caribou management issue. I’m getting word from a lot of outfitters that they’re going to be closing their doors because of this new quota that the government has imposed on their operations and the caribou harvest that they’re allowed. I just wanted to ask the Minister about what I suggested last time, and what a lot of elders have also brought to my attention, about the quota on males only, which could lead to a further decline in the caribou herds or just weaker herds in general. I wonder if the Minister has...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I just have some caribou management issues that I wanted to ask the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources about some of the actions that he’s planning for the summer. The department is working with the Department of ITI to address some hardships resulting in the low numbers of caribou. I just want to ask the Minister how or what plans or how do they plan on addressing all the hardships in the smaller communities that aren’t seeing the caribou numbers like they used to? With the high price of food in a lot of these remote communities, have they come up with any...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

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Mr. Speaker, I don’t speak my language very often as I’m still learning, but to me the Denesoline language is very important. With Aboriginal Day approaching, and although I recognize the importance of this national holiday for aboriginals and Canadians, I want to talk about the importance of aboriginal language as the foundation of our culture and livelihood.

I cannot stress the importance of languages to our northern territory. It has been stated by many Members of this current Legislature and past Legislatures, by prominent public...