Statements in Debates

Debates of , (day 5)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have a few brief comments. I would like to say I am impressed and quite pleased with the Greenhouse Gas Strategy that is coming forward. I am very pleased to see some of the initiatives that I was asking for last year finally coming to life: hybrid vehicle credits, wood pellets and wood stoves. Those are very important things. I think we still have a long ways to go in this particular area. I think we still tend to focus in on the individual rather than the bigger problems, which are industry and the transportation sector. But I think we are certainly...

Debates of , (day 5)

Mr. Speaker, if I can refer without reading them, I have two NWT Housing Corp letters, one from the president and one from the director of policy and programs, instructing the Yellowknife Housing Authority to accommodate this constituent as soon as any facility becomes available that is absolutely suitable. Mr. Speaker, we have an eight-plex next door right out her front window, Mr. Speaker, or side window, sorry. The fact is it’s there and now they have obstructed her entering this building because she has a cat. Are they afraid of a little cat, for goodness sakes, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker...

Debates of , (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke about my constituent, Ms. Carmen Tees, who is in the gallery today who is suffering from MS, as well as depression, austio arthritis, sleep apnea, and she’s shut in most of the year. She is not allowed to move into the new apartment building that is barrier free because she has a cat. Mr. Speaker, I have two small points to make. The Yellowknife Housing Authority has made a no pet policy for this building and that is a human rights breach. Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation position of whether...

Debates of , (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I begin today by reminding all Members today is red Friday and I am wearing a red tie to honour our Canadian Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, in 1859, Florence Nightingale, the famous founder of our modern nursing profession, promoted the important role pets play in therapy. She said a small pet animal is often an excellent companion for the sick, especially those battling long, chronic conditions. Since then, many studies have proved the benefit of human-animal bonds. Medical and emotional improvements have been recognized as a result of therapeutic value found in pet...

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.

During the winter road closure and in the absence of ferry service, automotive and home heating oil prices in Yellowknife have continued to rise without re-supply.

Please provide examples of past and current instances where the government has intervened on behalf of the consumer in order to prevent price gouging of fuel costs and please provide a detailed list of the legislation used to do so.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In following my Member's statement today about the concern of Tamerlane not being able to hook up to clean hydro energy, Mr. Speaker, I have questions to the Minister of the Power Corp. The first question would be: Can the Minister of the Power Corp tell me if the Power Corporation is mandated to make a profit and how do they justify not selling surplus power to Tamerlane Ventures? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about Tamerlane and the Tantalus tragedy. When I think of the Tamerlane Ventures and their attempt to get hydro power from the NWT Power Corporation, I’m reminded of the Greek myth of Tantalus, whose punishment is now synonymous with temptation without satisfaction. The Greek gods punished Tantalus by forcing him to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, Mr. Speaker, the branches raised his intended meal from his grasp. Whenever he bent down to get a drink, the water drained from his...

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister brings interesting news, because the vice-president had just recently told me that they are not in any type of discussions to formalize any type of power agreement. So could the Minister at least take back this as a commitment to look into this a little further and to make sure that we are proceeding with this? Thank you.

Debates of , (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. The Minister of the NWT Power Corporation has told us that in order to bring down power rates, we need a large customer base. Well, here’s an opportunity to expand the customer base, but the Power Corporation won’t sell power to this potential customer that has deep pockets and is certainly willing to pay. But, Mr. Speaker, we’ll certainly put the cost of power generation on our citizens at a 12 percent power rate.

Mr. Speaker, just like the intended hydro plan bill about running clean power up to the diamond mines, let’s seize this opportunity...

Debates of , (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, again I think the Minister underscores the oddity here; whereas we pay for the surgery but we don't pay for the treatment. I mean it becomes completely irrelevant at that point. Why do the surgery? It's confusing, Mr. Speaker. So my last question to the Minister is, what will it take this Minister to recognize and identify that this is a real issue to go on our extended health benefits? Does he require letters from mothers? Does he require a motion in this House? Does he require camping out at his doorstep? Does he require a petition? What would this...