Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess my last question to the Minister would be, again, about money. If we are committed at this point to $27 million, and that we – as the Minister says he hopes we don’t use more than that – are we going to see a supplementary appropriation sometime down the road to go beyond the $27 million that we’re now committed to?

Thanks to the Minister for that explanation. I have to say, I’m a little bit concerned when I hear the Minister say that $27 million is an initial figure. I have to say, I’m a little concerned when I hear him say that it is basically a federal responsibility. I’d like to know from the Minister: Do we anticipate further financial requirements on this government to do with the cleanup of Giant Mine? If the $27 million is an initial figure, what are we in the long haul for?

A draft-like, that’s an interesting term. I appreciate it. I think that’s a commitment to have a document out there that Members and the public can actually have some input on.

Can the Minister at this point give us any indication of what kind of consultation with the public will be done once this draft or draft-like document is available?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on my statement and ask some questions of the Minister of Justice, who also happens to be the Minister responsible for the social issues committee of Cabinet.

The Premier spoke a bit in his statement earlier about the actions of the government in relation to development of an Anti-Poverty Strategy and I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the social issues committee if he would provide a bit further information, an update for us as to just what work the Anti-Poverty Strategy group has done, kind of where we’re at.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the outset I would like to recognize a constituent who recently received in the mail a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, Lyda Fuller. Congratulations to Lyda. It’s a medal well deserved.

I’d like to also recognize two of our city councillors, Lydia Bardak and Amanda Mallon, who are here with us today.

I cannot ignore Mr. Tony Whitford, so welcome to the House, Tony. I’m sure everybody’s going to do that as well.

I’d like to also recognize Kim Doyle, who is the executive director for the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society, and Jeff Renaud, who is the new executive...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The United Nations has declared today, October 17th, as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. I think this day is timely because here in the Northwest Territories we’ve just concluded a second series of meetings of the Anti-Poverty Working Group, as mentioned by the Minister. We are moving forward with the development of an Anti-Poverty Strategy.

The International Day for Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993, but unfortunately, we still have very little to show for it. Millions across our world still live in abject poverty. Progress...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to see you didn’t cheat me of my last question. To the Minister, I’d like to ask, I appreciate the commitment that we’re going to, I think, have broad consultation on the document once it’s out there. I’d like to know if the Minister has any idea how long it will take, once the document is finalized, to start implementation.

I’d like to thank the Minister for that update and elaborate a bit on what the Premier had said earlier. I know that both the steering committee and the larger group at the roundtables have been working very hard and I know that they have been working on preparing a draft strategy, some kind of a document. I’d like to know from the Minister when this draft document might be available and at that time, when it is available, will it be given to Members and the general public for comments.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to acknowledge the recent death of Ralph Leslie Creed, a long-time Yellowknife resident and a Frame Lake constituent.

Ralph moved to Yellowknife in 1981 with his young family. He worked at the mill at Giant Mine for 19 years and at the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission until he retired when he then worked as a stay-at-home grandpa.

Ralph was devoted to his family but also to his community. He gave back to his community through volunteering, particularly as a member of the board of directors for the Northlands Condominium Corporation.

My condolences and...

Reorganizing how we provide GNWT programs and services and revamping our policies to enable people to rise out of poverty would achieve such a coordinated result. I look forward to seeing the result of the work of the Anti-Poverty Working Group. I would like to thank all of them for their efforts to date and for the work that they will do in the coming months. This working group is a great example of the benefits of collaboration, working together for the betterment of all NWT residents. Thank you.