Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that we rise and report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if there has been any discussion on where the school will be built. In other words, has there been identification of a site for the school? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, clean, safe drinking water is important to residents of the NWT. The Alberta oil sands are a great concern for people as the water flows through the Slave River, which provides most of the source for the Great Slave Lake. I was wondering if, as a result of this MOU, there would be an opportunity for individuals who are concerned about their safe drinking water as a result of Alberta's tar sands to speak to this government on this MOU concerning safe drinking water. Thank you.

My favourite topic is always employment/labour for small communities. Would the MOU support and provide a benefit to the small communities insofar as employment goes?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [no translation provided]. Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to do a tribute to the late Sonny David Drygeese of Detah.

Mr. Drygeese was born June 2, 1975, and sadly passed away on June 6, 2017, at age 42. Mr. Speaker, David was born in Yellowknife and came from a large family in Detah. The Drygeese family also has family in Ndilo who all loved being around him. David always had a smile and a contagious laugh. He was well known for his generosity and kindness. Mr. Speaker, his passion was for playing the traditional dene drum and...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise and report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We have very high energy costs in many of our communities. I'd like to ask the Premier if there was any discussion about reducing energy costs as a result of this new memorandum of understanding or the renewed memorandum of understanding.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I have questions for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to say happy birthday to our Premier first.

Mr. Speaker, just about 19 years ago now there was a memorandum of understanding signed between Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Recently, the Premier announced that that was renewed; last week, in fact. I'd like to ask the Premier some questions on that: what positive impacts will this MOU have on small communities in the NWT, specifically small communities that are within Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

One of the main obstacles to individuals applying for and getting loans to improve their homes, making their homes barrier-free or seniors friendly, is the land that the units sit on. I was wondering if there has been any discussion aside from the Minister speaking to Health and Social Services. Have there been any discussions with the municipalities or the lands division on how individuals can access more than just a basic amount of money in order to improve their homes by dealing with the land issue?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I usually don't recognize individuals from other ridings, but today I have somebody who I have known for a long time, Raymond Michaud, who was my supervisor when I was in Grandin College. I just acknowledged Mr. Clifford Cardinal had gone to school in Grandin, so I'd like to recognize Mr. Ray Michaud.

Also, I want an opportunity today, it may be my last opportunity to recognize the translators, because I won't be in tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Maryrose Sundberg and Dennis Drygeese, who are interpreting in the Denesuline and...