Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister, do you have any comments on that?

Committee, any further whoops, just backlog there. There are no further questions, we can turn to page 80.

Environment and Natural Resources, environmental stewardship and climate change, operations expenditure summary, 20222023 Main Estimates, $14,270,000. Does committee agree?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi to the Minister for that. It's the second time she said there is no vaccination policy, mandatory one. But the thing I've been reading in several documents is all the employees of the GNWT are being forced, you know, into losing their jobs and they have to take the vaccination, which is mandatory. So that's where I'm getting that from.

Mr. Speaker, for us that live in small communities, we don't distinguish between vaccinated and the unvaccinated. We go about our daily lives. Kids go to school. Residents go to work. Residents do their shopping. Residents are eating in...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier of the Northwest Territories regarding my Member's statement on mandatory vaccinations.

I spoke at length on what the mandatory vaccinations has caused in the communities across the Northwest Territories. It has marginalized residents into categories of vaccinated versus unvaccinated. Can the Premier explain to the unvaccinated residents as to why the need to take away their right to choose what is right for them and categorically marginalize them from mainstream society? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I suppose there's a point of order on the floor.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi for that answer there. Mr. Speaker, the Omicron variant has opened our eyes as to what it can do and who it can affect. Obviously, the Omicron variant does not distinguish between the vaccinated nor the unvaccinated. Can the Premier explain what this predicament does to the mandatory vaccinations policy? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know the controversy surrounding the mandatory vaccinations policy. The policy has marginalized residents of the Northwest Territories. There is now a vaccinated group of residents and an unvaccinated group of residents. These divisions are happening in many of our communities, and the mandatory vaccinations policy has created something of a battleground which has pitted one against the other.

It is disheartening to hear young teenagers and children over 12 not being allowed into sports venues and other facilities, thus contributing to their state of...

All right. Thank you. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, removing the mandatory and the continuance of encouraging the vaccinations may be a winwin for all, especially the ones who choose not to take the vaccinations. This has given the rights and freedoms we have all come to enjoy back to the residents of the Northwest Territories, especially the unvaccinated.

Will the Premier give consideration to removing "mandatory" and encourage residents of the availability of the vaccinations? Mahsi.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Speaker. Merry Christmas to my colleagues in the House. I also would like to extend a Merry Christmas to all the staff who provide valuable services to us throughout the year, each and every day, and also Merry Christmas extended to the interpretation team that provide valuable services also.

Mr. Speaker, as this is the last day of the House sitting before Christmas and the New Year, I would like to extend appreciation to my residents of my riding Deh Cho. The Deh Cho riding communities of Katlodeeche, Kakisa, Enterprise, and Fort Providence have all stood behind me, as I...

Madam Commissioner, on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, all the MLAs, and most importantly the residents of the Northwest Territories, we extend our warmest Merry Christmas Greetings to you and your family for your service to the Northwest Territories. Colleagues, please join me in applause for the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for his reply.

When ECE develops new initiatives like the Education Modernization Act, the JK to Grade 12 Renewal, I'm often left wondering if the DEA members have a grasp on these initiatives in order to make informed decisions on behalf of the community, the teachers, and the students. I often wonder if the DEAs are given any information regarding the findings of the auditor general.

Can the Minister direct all divisional education councils to initiate workshops for the DEAs on all current initiatives and all new initiatives, including the auditor...