Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi to the Minister for his answers. Most if not all the small communities are quite possibly facing more teacher layoffs in the near future. My community of Fort Providence has lost four teacher positions this past June. This is creating increasing workloads for the existing teachers as they are teaching more than one grade and quite possibly increasing the stress levels for the teachers. Shouldn't a situation like this raise red flags in the education system, and what is the GNWT Department of ECE going to do about these situations in the small, outlying communities?

It is kind of ironic that I chose this topic today as I went into the local restaurant here and they were serving bison stew. I had myself a hearty bowl of bison stew. I guess what I am trying to get at is that we really miss having that stuff as part of a food staple in our community. The residents of Fort Providence had previously been issued bison tags to harvest bison for food. Since the anthrax outbreaks a while back, all that has ceased. I am just wondering: what is the update on the issuance of bison tags to the community of Fort Providence?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use my Member's statement today to thank the people of the Deh Cho electoral riding for instilling in me the confidence to represent them as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. The riding consists of the communities of Kakisa, Enterprise, K'atlodeeche, and Fort Providence.

Although I didn't receive a resounding number of votes from the communities in my riding, each and every one will be treated fairly and with the respect they so deserve. Many in these communities are my friends and will continue to be so, including the many new friends I have met on the...

My final question to the Minister is: how often are the bison tested to ensure a disease-free bison herd within the sanctuary, and when was the last testing?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. During an ENR presentation last month to the Priorities and Planning Committee, there was mention of a caribou management plan. What was amiss was the Bison Management Plan. I would like to recognize that the community of Fort Providence is on the doorstep to the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. My question to the ENR Minister is: I am interested to know if there is an updated Bison Management Plan and if the community of Fort Providence is aware of such. Mahsi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome to the House a few members of my home community of Fort Providence. I have Joachim Bonnetrouge and his lovely wife, Nancy Ann; and also, Jim Thom, husband of the Commissioner. Both of these are former Chiefs of our Deh Gah Gotie First Nations. Also, in the new term this Assembly, my colleagues, I have learned over the last little while that they are also knowledge keepers. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Section 61(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that there shall be an Executive Council of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS Members of the Executive Council are appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that this Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the following Members be appointed to the Executive Council:

Ms. Katrina Nokleby, the Member for Great Slave;

Mr. R.J. Simpson, the...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that this Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the following Members be appointed to the Executive Council:

Ms. Katrina Nokleby, the Member for Great Slave;

Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;

Ms. Diane Thom, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake;

Mr. Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh;

Ms. Paulie Chinna, the Member for Sahtu;

Ms. Caroline Cochrane, the Member for Range Lake; and

Ms...