Statements in Debates

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk today about a bunch of real estate concerns that I’ve seen go by without any particular attention that needs to be brought to it. Most people in the Northwest Territories will know that there is no current legislation or regulation that oversees real estate appraisals, which is kind of a weird situation because if there’s no regulation or legislation, who knows how these things are being performed? In other words, who’s keeping an eye on industry, and certainly, who’s keeping an eye out for hard-working families.

There can be many problems that can arise...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 28)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Mr. Yakeleya for allowing me to work with him on this particular initiative. I couldn’t agree with him more. The design was to ensure we got healthy food to people in regions that were unable to access healthy foods, perishable foods. The fact is this isn’t being accomplished under the present design and I couldn’t agree with Member Yakeleya any more than we are now.

I want to acknowledge the lead played by the Yukon MLAs and certainly the Nunavut Legislature. Although I can’t speak to who is pushing this issue in the Yukon, I can acknowledge...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 28)

Does the Department of Health and Social Services have any idea how many applications were lost in this renewal process, and does the Department of Health understand what type of integrity of information may be at risk if this information was misplaced and got into the hands of people who do various activities or whatnot? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about real estate problems from appraisals to disclosure agreements, real estate sales people working for both ends of the transaction and, finally, new home warranty.

My question to the Minister responsible for the situation or this area of governance would be R.C. McLeod from MACA. What I’m going to ask him to do is rather than try to explain why we’re not doing stuff, would he be willing, as Minister, to look into the situation to see if we can balance some of these concerns and report back to the House with a bit of a plan, not...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 27)

No thanks, Mr. Chairman. I was more curious as to the human impact of this particular one. Minister Abernethy is more than happy to provide me with that type of response. That’s all. Thanks.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Well, I won’t be defending Bob. Bromley that is, and for the record, I don’t care how he feels, either. So the Premier doesn’t have to think he’s alone in that category.

But, Mr. Chairman, it should not go without saying, first I will make it clear I’ve gone on the record many occasions in support of decentralization of positions, but any type of position like this – and I’ve asked this in the past – I’d like to hear how we put it in the record of this office was evaluated and what type of outreach was extended to the employees. I’ve always spoken to an employee...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 27)

I look forward to all four questions today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to make them very short with maybe a quick explanation and some quick bullets after that. While travelling into the Deh Cho, I’ve heard Aboriginal people say they’d like set aside lands protected and trespassing raised as an issue. Recently I was in the Sahtu and Aboriginal people told me there that they want trespass protection on their lands. I’ve been in Yellowknife and other areas, and whether it’s private business or even public lands, trespassing has turned out to be an issue. My Member’s statement said enough...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As our government prepares to take over land management, it’s time to examine our policies, and perhaps it’s time to look at trespass legislation. I’m not talking about the hunters or snowmobilers who enjoy their time as they sneak across the hinterland, or those people who are out picking berries or walking their dogs. I’m talking about those people who interfere with public and private property within our northern communities.

This is a very real issue. I’ve travelled the North and I’ve heard complaints both in Inuvik, Norman Wells and, yes, even here in Yellowknife...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m coming at the perspective from the human angle and I’ve often said that any time we look at something we should always look to the communities first to see where we can bolster two or three. Ten or 20 new jobs in Yellowknife has not quite the same effect as it would in a regional community that needs those employment numbers, needs those investment dollars and needs that type of activity.

But what my question is really narrowed down to is what type of evaluation and incentives were offered to these employees to look at this transfer? I know this will be impacting...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 27)

Is that a commitment to investigate this problem about seeing what’s possible, working with his partners at the Department of Justice?