Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thanks to the Minister for that reply. My next question is: the Housing Corporation has a secured 10-year strategy. As part of that discussion on taking that strategy and applying it to some of the Sahtu communities or all of the Sahtu communities, and the other communities, for that matter, will that strategy be passed on to the other communities over the territory?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my questions to the Minister of the Housing Corporation, it was really gratifying for myself to attend the discussions held in Deline with the Deline Got'ine Government and the NWT Housing Corporation staff as well as the invited representative of the CMHC. Discussions were held comparing programs available and the needs of the communities, concluding with action plans. My first question: with the winter road affordable travel season upon us in the Sahtu, is the NWT Housing Corporation planning similar community planning sessions in other Sahtu...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Housing solutions and bilaterals. Mr. Speaker, firstly I would like to recognize the many bilateral funding resources secured by the Government of the Northwest Territories through the previous timelines of FPT sessions held with the Government of Canada.

Mr. Speaker, it is a mandate of this government to build stronger families and stronger communities. One aspect of achieving this is through affordable housing. Then there are the many opportunities during construction.

In November 2018 the NWT Housing Corporation concluded bilateral negotiations for a 10-year agreement...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In conclusion here, I will just point out to the Minister some of the logistic arrangements in preparation for our discussion and tour coming up here. Two of the Sahtu communities are only accessible during the winter road season, and the other ones that live along the river bank are resupplied biannually. That helps with the logistics and mobilization of materials and planning. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thanks to the Minister for that reply and that commitment. That is very gratifying to hear. When I review some of the programs available in designing a home, I come to realize that there are many options of energy-efficient programs. Will the Minister commit to providing some information on, say for example, showcasing a home with the energy-efficient programs offered by the Arctic Energy Alliance, as well as the programs designed for the Housing Corporation, so that the end result would be a nice product that is low in energy cost and designing that home with the local corporations?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Chief Sangris there, a strong supporter of my son Arnold and a mentor, and I think I heard Chief Chicot back there, so I would like to recognize him as well. Mahsi.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back, colleagues, to the House.

2018 Highlights in the Sahtu Region: Mr. Speaker, before we start our review of the budget for the upcoming year I want to celebrate some of the highlights of 2018 in the Sahtu. It was great news when Enbridge completed its pipeline repair and Imperial Oil resumed production in Norman Wells.

Mr. Speaker, it has taken decades, but our determined efforts to build the Mackenzie Highway are finally paying off. Last June the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada announced funding totalling $140 million to build a bridge...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 48)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we conclude our capital planning session.

Mr. Speaker, I recall growing up in the community of Colville Lake, and being mindful on the proposed new school facility gives me pleasure.

Mr. Speaker, in those early days we did not have a school in the community and therefore attended the Inuvik residential school.

Mr. Speaker, the Colville Lake First Nations built their own facility. Now, Mr. Speaker, the community children will soon be able to attend classes in a community-participation designed facility and no longer have to whisper from behind panels made...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 48)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like, on our last day, to thank the Pages here who are helping us, including Mackenzie Menacho and Abigail Sewi from Deline, and watching the proceedings here also, the staff behind the glasses here, translation, and Indio, our technician. Mahsi.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 47)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, feel saddened that we have come to this situation on siding one of our 19 Members in this House. This institution is led by the elected officials to best serve the residents of the Northwest Territories. In this part of Canada, we truly have many challenges, challenges faced by addictions, remoteness, isolation. Those are fundamental principles that are really facing the communities' endeavours to progress.

I had the opportunity in one of my positions in the 1970s to work for NTCL, a Crown corporation, later becoming a private corporation, and now a public...