Tom Beaulieu

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to start off with a story of a few elders in Lutselk'e and their housing issues. About seven years ago, I began to advocate for the elders to have the northern territorial rental public housing units transferred into their ownership. About a year or so ago they were transferred into their names. They were very happy, but their happiness was short-lived. These units were built in the late ‘60s or early 1970s and when the elders applied for repair programs, they were hit with a barrage of reasons why they were...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I too support the bill. I think it's appropriate in this day of our government, when we are under some financial restraints. I think that the people of the communities and the people out across, even, all of the communities, including the regional centres and Yellowknife, would support us doing this, and I think it's something that shows that we are prepared to tighten our own personal belts as well, when it comes to looking for some additional revenue, so that we can continue to provide the programs and services to the people that they have become accustomed to. I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Will the Minister meet with the college student body at Thebacha campus in Fort Smith? Thank you.

I'd like to ask the Minister if he's prepared to champion the possibility of creating jobs for the Canadian Rangers through the other Cabinet colleagues.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I spoke about Canadian Rangers. I have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. There's no real direct ministerial portfolio that lines up with the Canadian Rangers, so I'm going to start here and see where it takes us. I'd like to ask the Minister if he's prepared to reach out to the federal government to start discussions on an increased role for the Canadian Rangers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to report progress. I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to review Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if he sees a role for Canadian Rangers in the Protected Areas Strategy. Thank you.

Would the Minister look into the possibility, with the federal government, if the Canadian Rangers can play a greater role in the environmental cleanups, whether they fall under the responsibility of the GNWT or whether they fall under the responsibility of the federal government.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many times in the House I spoke about the lack of employment in small NWT communities. Currently most communities have Canadian Rangers. I think they should and could play a greater role in our communities. Speaker, I intend to discuss the needs with the communities I represent that have Rangers. My thought right now is to change five or six Canadian Rangers into part-time or seasonal jobs in these communities. The Rangers can fill many important roles at the community level. They can be responsible for environmental clean-ups, search and rescue, while...