Statements in Debates

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off, I would like to thank Member Menicoche for bringing forward this particular motion. He is quite right in the context of being concerned about our seniors. Of course, this motion speaks to the fact that we want to support and protect the seniors in future years to make sure that the Old Age Security benefit is there for them.

Mr. Speaker, doing a bit of research, I pulled up information that the parliamentary budget officer has done. He did a study called the Federal Fiscal Sustainability of Elderly Benefits. What he has noted here, in short, without quoting it...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 9)

My next question for the Minister of WSCC is: On that particular case, can you explain why if landlord/tenant issues are publicized when they go before the rental office, why family law matters are publicized, why child protection rulings are modified but still publicized and, finally, why human rights cases and law society discipline rulings publicized, why wouldn’t we publicize decisions of the NWT Appeals Tribunal through the WSCC in the context of fairness?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the little leeway you have given me on this particular problem, because it is a big problem. The justice system, the Supreme Court has noted about the potential for people using EPOs is a tool for custody battles and divorces. The last thing I will point out is the report is built around three things: increasing awareness, improve access to emergency protection and to improve protection. Nowhere in this report does it support findings that are crystal clear that say that EPOs can be abused. There is not one recommendation to say we need to make sure it is...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 9)

I’m glad the Minister referenced the report, because if he had a chance to read it – not to say he didn’t – but if he did read it, he’d also note that on page 28 of the report it talks about why RCMP like EPOs. They’re a good tool because they don’t require any investigation to issue an EPO. Forty percent of the officers suggested that. But at the same time RCMP have also noted and they feel that further information to confirm the victim’s accusation to ensure that the applicant’s legitimates are applied on good grounds. Pointing at those two variances noted in this particular report, I’d like...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me pleasure to recognize a constituent in the gallery: Lorraine Phaneuf.

I’d as well like to recognize on this occasion our very favourite table officer, albeit two, I should say, today; I should make sure that’s correct. I’d like to recognize my mentor, of course, the honourable Anthony W.J. Whitford. I’d also like to do special recognition to Mr. David Hamilton. He’s been a friend as well as a mentor of mine for so long I remember when he was taller than I was. I’ve known him that long.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll be speaking in favour of this particular motion. Mr. Menicoche mentioned about the work done last term. I was on that committee as well. We heard a lot from people about the challenges before them about their languages. I believe the re-establishment of the Language Bureau is probably one of the most needed steps out there to help support these language groups.

I often believe that languages to survive need to be relevant, and to be relevant they need to be supported. Many of the challenges we heard in the communities when we travelled was medical terminology and...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 9)

Under the context of public confidence, it can only be determined when people understand that justice has fairly been applied, to understand like decisions are applied in a similar manner with like decisions that demonstrates fairness. It also demonstrates scrutiny from the public that they know that the system is working. Is there any particular decision why the Minister would not support publication of these Appeals Tribunal decisions?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be directed to the Minister of WSCC. It’s been brought to my attention that the Appeals Tribunal rulings or decisions have not been placed in a public manner like normal court decisions. My question to the Minister of WSCC is: Why aren’t decisions of the Appeals Tribunal publicized?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 8)

Is this an initiative that could be implemented in the upcoming business plans this fiscal year of the 2012-2013 that we’ll be reviewing in May?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In December I asked questions about the return of the Prospectors Grubstake Program. On Friday, February 10th, the Minister made the announcement that that program will be reinstated. I can tell you that there’s some very positive news from constituents of mine. At the same time in December, I asked questions about the training component and I have to say the Minister’s announcement fell quite silent on that particular subject. I’m wondering what the Minister has to say today regarding the possibility of reinstating a training component to the Prospectors Grubstake...