Mr. Speaker, responsible mineral exploration and development strengthens our territorial economy and helps to provide each region with opportunities and choices.
Later today I will be tabling the Mineral Development Strategy Implementation Plan, which will put the recommendations made in the Mineral Development Strategy into place. The creation of an environmentally sustainable NWT Mineral Development Strategy was a key priority of the 17th Legislative Assembly and it establishes a comprehensive plan to ensure the long-term growth of a sustainable mining industry that will create jobs and economic opportunities for the people of the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, this implementation plan was a partnership effort and was developed in conjunction with the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines. I also want to thank the members of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure for their input and guidance on the Mineral Development Strategy and the Implementation Plan.
The implementation plan puts the strategy into action by establishing concrete goals, objectives and timelines, and ensures we make progress in the five key areas of importance outlined in the Mineral Development Strategy. These include growing a sustainable mining sector, encouraging responsible mineral development and exploration, improving geoscience information and research, enhancing Aboriginal capacity and creating a Mining Incentive Program.
Some of these actions have already been put in place or are underway. The Mining Incentive Program was launched this past June. It was overwhelmingly popular and was oversubscribed by 200 percent in its very first year. This program aims to offset some of the financial risk associated with grassroots mineral exploration in the NWT, which we anticipate will result in increased investment in the territory and employment opportunities for residents.
The completion of the implementation plan is timely as we are seeing increased exploration activity in the NWT with rejuvenated interest in diamonds. In addition, the mining recorders office has received more than 300 new mineral claim applications since Devolution on April 1st, and the majority of these claims are located around the existing diamond mines.
Mr. Speaker, the mining industry has been a pillar of the Northwest Territories’ economy for more than 80 years. In addition to being the largest private sector contributor to the NWT economy, the mining industry is also the largest private sector employer. The Mineral Development Strategy and Implementation Plan will help us to ensure the mining industry continues to be a key contributor to the NWT’s economic growth.
The implementation plan will continue to be evaluated and updated as we move forward, to ensure that actions remain relevant and effective, and we will continue to collaborate with our partners and work together to promote the NWT as an exciting place to work and invest.
Mr. Speaker, a key element of devolution was that this government would gain the tools to shape and direct the economic growth of the NWT. Capitalizing on our full potential takes the kind of strategic thought and planning that is reflected in the Mineral Development Strategy and Implementation Plan. I look forward to working with Members to advance the implementation plan and to achieve this Assembly’s vision of a prosperous territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Lands, Mr. McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands is responsible for managing and administering Territorial Lands and Commissioner’s Land. Territorial Lands are public lands formerly administered by the federal government and devolved to the Government of the Northwest Territories on April 1, 2014. Commissioner’s Land is public land already under the GNWT’s jurisdiction and formerly administered by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Prior to April 1st of this year, the GNWT was only responsible for 0.02 percent of the land mass, or roughly 2,700 square kilometres. Post-devolution we are now responsible for 85 percent of the land mass of the NWT, or 1.15 million square kilometres.
At this time, Commissioner’s Land and newly devolved Territorial Lands are managed and administered under separate legislation and policy frameworks. Now that the GNWT manages the majority of public land in the NWT, we need to develop new recreational leasing policies that apply to both types of land.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands has begun work on a new Recreational Land Management Framework. The Recreational Land Management Framework will help to harmonize the department’s approach to recreational land management while taking into account existing legislation, regulations and policies. Our goal is to ensure that decisions on recreational leasing consider potential land use needs and that land is managed in a transparent and consistent manner across the territory.
The Recreational Land Management Framework will address unauthorized use, access to leasing opportunities, maintaining public access to popular sites, and protecting areas of ecological and cultural value. It will also include area-specific studies and planning to address local land management issues like high demand for recreational leases.
One area that will be studied is the Ingraham Trail and Highway No. 3 area near Yellowknife, outside of the existing subdivisions. Lands has begun a land use plan scoping study to evaluate the potential benefits of an area-specific land use plan for this area.
The Government of the Northwest Territories will engage Aboriginal governments as it develops the framework, both individually and through the Intergovernmental Council, which was established to give parties to the Devolution Agreement the opportunity to collaborate on land management issues. Letters advising Aboriginal governments of our plans and inviting them to participate have already been sent.
The department will also engage with the public and key stakeholders to identify their interests and concerns about recreational land management as part of developing the framework. The department will post the draft framework on its website so that the public and stakeholders can review, ask questions and provide feedback.
While the Recreational Land Management Framework is being developed, no new applications will be accepted in the focus area. This will ensure the conditions of future leases meet the most up-to-date standards and guidelines. I want to emphasize that existing leases in good standing will not be impacted. Commercial activity will not be affected.
Notwithstanding this, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands will also be examining options in the short term for managing vacant, previously surveyed lots within existing subdivisions in the focus area.
Mr. Speaker, I want to be clear that the GNWT is also taking action against unauthorized occupancy across the Northwest Territories. We have recently enforced a court order to remove an individual and their belongings at a site that was unlawfully occupied. The department has also increased the number of inspections it conducts in order to identify all unauthorized users and has stepped up efforts to raise public awareness.
Guided by the Land Use and Sustainability Framework, the Department of Lands is committed to managing public land in a fair, transparent and sustainable manner to ensure that rural land across the NWT is managed in a way that reflects traditional use and northern priorities.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, Northerners care about the land and want to enjoy access to rural land for recreational purposes across the Northwest Territories. The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to ensuring that access is responsive to the priorities of our residents and respects traditional use, both now and into the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Deputy Premier, Mr. Lafferty.
MINISTER'S STATEMENT 99-17(5):
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Premier will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow to attend the Fourth Annual Women’s Summit in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Colleagues, before we go on today, I’d like to recognize in the House today with us representative Bob Herron from Bethel, Alaska, champion of Alaskan policy and a real friend of the NWT. Welcome to the House.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I listen to my colleagues in this House share the stories of their communities and their regions with respect to the costs of living, and I hear of stories of people who want to leave the North because of the cost of living and people who feel they don’t have options to stay here, I think this government does have a role to play in helping to quantify some of that seemingly anecdotal information. I don’t know if we’ve undertaken an exercise like this lately, but I think the government should look at the different communities. We cannot compare Tuktoyaktuk cost of living to Yellowknife. I know back in the days of EDI, they used to have, for purposes of business development, level I, level II, level III communities. So I think for starters we could compare apples to apples a little more closely if we compared regional centres, if we compared small communities and if we compared Yellowknife as a stand-alone community, because things are quite different here in Yellowknife from a household income point of view and also from a cost of living point of view.
I do think we have a role to play as government, but many things about the cost of living are kind of subjective. Now, you can talk about the price of kilowatt per hour and you can talk about some hard data, but a lot of things are based on personal choices and people’s personal priorities. For example, some people want to drive a new car every few years and some are happy to drive the same car for 10 years. Some people want to buy a new snow machine and harvest their own wildlife on the land. Some people would rather stay home and take that as money and go to the grocery store and buy it.
There are so many subjective aspects to this issue of cost of living. Mr. Miltenberger so aptly pointed out the other day, our government does try to offset those costs, and I think he mentioned a number of $200 million a year in subsidies to try to offset the costs that people incur.
I grew up in south western Ontario in a home with humble means with five children, and my parents always had to pay the Ontario health insurance premium bill when it came every month. That’s unheard of in the Northwest Territories. We don’t pay health insurance up here, and when you get to be 60 it gets even sweeter I’m finding out as my husband is turning 60 next month.
---Laughter
I’m way far behind.
---Laughter
I think that the Government of the Northwest Territories should develop some hard data, some good comparisons on the cost of living comparing apples to apples, oranges to oranges, comparing other jurisdictions in Canada and let’s get some hard facts. Then when people say they are leaving because they can’t afford the cost of living, we have some information to come back to them, and we can also look at some initiatives as a government how we can further target some of these costs and help people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week is Small Business Week in the Northwest Territories. Small business contributes much more than revenue and services to communities; they strengthen the social fabric and cultural identity of the places we call home. They are strong sponsors and volunteers.
Yellowknife is blessed with entrepreneurs who provide services, goods and employment enriching our lives and being good neighbours. Weledeh itself is rich with businesses that produce healthy ripples throughout the community. The arts, recycling, outdoor guiding and recreation, clothing, furniture, restaurants and accommodation are a few examples. In fact, small entrepreneurs from throughout Yellowknife are coming together to support the sale of their wares to the public through the wildly successful Yellowknife Farmers Market at Somba K’e Civic Plaza operation weekly through the summer in the heart of the city. Today I would like to profile this enterprise.
The market features locally grown, harvested and processed items including fresh produce, fresh and smoked fish, local syrups and teas, jams and preserves, baked goods, international cuisine produced locally, arts and crafts, and health and beauty products. In 2014 the market doubled its GDP impact to nearly $1 million of benefit to Yellowknife.
The market also helps strengthen the social fabric of the city. The Tuesday evening markets encourage people to come together with friends and family congregating to enjoy dinner and entertainment in the fresh, though sometimes smoky, air to visit and purchase products made or grown by their friends and neighbours. Many non-profit and community organizations took advantage of the crowds to deliver their message and raise their profile, and performers were able to increase their public exposure through busking.
The crowds were incredible and the energy amazing, a tribute to what can happen when a community comes together for mutual benefit. It was hugely successful.
ITI came through with investments in the Farmers Market for the purchase of carts, tables, signage and supplies and marketing and promotion, including the development of a logo and branding. Combined with the dedication of the market board and retailers, this modest investment contributed to the development of community self-sufficiency, food security, pride in the community, a stronger social fabric and positive economic activity that helps with the cost of living.
Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in saying to the Yellowknife market, well done. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to speak about a young, made-in-the-NWT, well-known mental health program for youth; specifically, FOXY, which stands for Fostering Opening eXpression among Youth.
FOXY is a participatory action research project. Big words which means that youth are involved in all aspects of the project, from its development to its implementation and then evaluation. The research component involves looking at the effectiveness of FOXY and empowering NWT youth, and facilitating dialogue about sexual health issues in the NWT.
The NWT has one of the highest rates for sexual abuse in Canada. We have many young girls and women who are unsure how to handle themselves in a sexual environment and who are hesitant to talk about sex, sexual orientation and sexual activity. Young women who need what the FOXY program provides: the empowerment of young NWT women and open dialogue about sexual health.
FOXY uses storytelling, drama and art to talk with girls about building empowered decision-making skills and about sexual health. The girls act out real-world scenarios, like being approached by older men on Facebook, for example, and they take part in positive body image activities in a safe, non-judgemental environment.
Over the past year, thanks to partnership with Canadian North Airlines, the FOXY crew has visited almost a dozen NWT communities, Aklavik, Colville Lake, Fort Good Hope and Tulita among them. Since its inception, FOXY has had several retreats with participants from 11 of our communities: Ulukhaktok, Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Fort Smith, Whati, Hay River, Fort Liard, Fort Providence and Yellowknife.
FOXY receives funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada but has also developed numerous other partnerships with schools, youth centres and community agencies, including the Northern V Network, which is a non-profit who is fighting to end gender-based violence.
FOXY’s funding is in place until March 31, 2015, but that federal funding will then end, not to be renewed until April of 2017, a two-year gap. It’s very uncertain if the program can continue over the next two years.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
The NWT has been the beneficiary of federally funded FOXY programming, and in the absence of that federal funding next year, it is incumbent on the GNWT to fill the financial void, to find the funding necessary for FOXY to continue. This is a successful program, one that serves NWT youth – and that’s a stated goal of this 17th Assembly – and it is a program that is growing. It would be a crime to let this program fade away. As business plans are being finalized, I urge Cabinet to find the funding for this worthwhile program. If FOXY ends next April and we have sat idly by doing nothing to assist, then all I can say is shame. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Early on in this government, Members of the Assembly had a pretty good debate on an issue in terms of infrastructure. This government funded a non-government organization a certain amount of money to help with the construction of that building, and actually that building that was developed is actually working in the sense that it’s one of the focuses of our priorities, which is early childhood development. Obviously, that didn’t go well with some Members, but it was a really good debate, and at the end of the day, this government put forward money so an NGO could build their infrastructure.
However, Members did agree on that with one fact in mind: that this government go out and create a policy that states that this government will look at supporting non-government organizations in the building of their infrastructure plans on the fact that we do create a policy. Initially it was a policy that was supposed to be developed only for daycares, early childhood facilities. Committee came back and said we want to focus it on a broader structure moving forward for all NGOs.
There are a lot of non-government organizations that do a lot of great work in the Northwest Territories. We heard earlier this week about some of the job situations in the communities. We have a great organization here in Yellowknife, the NWT SPCA that could use some funding to increase their infrastructure so that they can house more pets and animals. We have shelters that do work on behalf of government by housing the homeless and housing people that might be battling addictions.
I will have questions later today on where the development of this policy is. There are a lot of organizations that continue to struggle in the Northwest Territories but continue to do topnotch work that government should be doing. We want to support these organizations, whether it’s with infrastructure, whether it’s forced growth funding that they don’t see but our departments see. We do spend millions of dollars on forced growth within our departments, but a lot of organizations continue to operate on the same dollar that they always have.
I will have questions later today about an update on this policy. Where is this policy, and if there is no policy, what is the process for an NGO to come to government to ask for that top-up and that support?
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How worried should we be about our financial future as a government? Well, if you listen to our Finance Minister, he’ll try to reassure that his department restored the balance between revenues and expenditures. But did they? He’ll tell you this administration works on paying down their short-term borrowing debt and focuses on building their cash reserves. But do they? All I can recall is that our short-term borrowing limit was increased by this administration from $175 million to $275 million less than two years ago and we were told last week they want another $25 million to top this up. So I ask, how is this paying down short-term debt and building up cash reserves? It’s a funny way of showing it.
Then there’s that famous reference that devolution will reduce our reliance on federal funding. Very poetic, yet there is absolutely no evidence to this statement. So I ask, how is the Minister measuring this one?
Then there’s the ever popular line that the GNWT has been successful in managing expenditure growth. Well, to be truthful, our expenditure growth is about 1 percent, despite forced growth at about 2 percent, but if you factor in Canada’s 2013 inflation rate of 1.3 percent, in real terms it only suggests a slight reduction in spending. So I ask again, is this successful by definition? Not really.
We know over 70 percent of our revenues come from the Territorial Formula Financing Grant, which we’re always reminded is outside the ability of the GNWT to influence. But again, is this true?
I asked those hard questions earlier this year, yet this government refused to look at a legislative triggering opportunity to review this formula financing with the feds in 2014. Too busy with devolution, they said, and now it’s too late.
Clearly, without growth in other revenues, this government needs to reduce or realign operating and infrastructure budgets, yet this is not happening. Instead, we continue to spend ourselves into a corner with every budget.
Yes, as a strategy, we need to grow our economy to increase revenues, to meet expenditure demands and invest wisely in infrastructure. This is all a given. However, without immediate corrective behavior, I fear history will judge the 17th Legislative Assembly as the one that went down the wrong path of righteousness at the expense of ignorance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased with the Human Resources department strategy on striving for a representative workforce and ensuring that we follow our Aboriginal… I’m sorry, my notes are a bit mixed up here, but the Affirmative Action Policy is what I wanted to address here.
Our regional education authorities have no involvement or request no training from Human Resources for their hiring committees. This is concerning because I have heard of several cases in the past few years where our Northerners and our Aboriginals who have become teachers are often overlooked for applying for teaching jobs in their home communities.
I did some quick research into the stats of how many Aboriginals and Northerners work in our education system. On a whole, it is about 45 percent. However, when we look at the professionals, when we look at the teachers, we have only about 26 percent that are Aboriginals and/or Northerners. This falls short of our affirmative action and representative workforce goals.
I should qualify that existing teachers mostly become part of our communities and become great Northerners. My concern is that going forward we must involve and allow the Human Resources department to work with our regional education authorities so that our Northerners and Aboriginal teachers are not overlooked and given a chance to truly contribute and teach and give back to our Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. October 19th to 26th, as we heard, is Small Business Week across Canada. While we should be celebrating the success of our small business owners and entrepreneurs, it’s almost time of a recession in the Sahtu. We saw a record high of investment in the oil and gas sector, but things are starting to quiet down. Actually, News/North put out a full page highlighting the benefits of energy exploration in the North and in the Sahtu. Perhaps the Canadian rock band, the Barenaked Ladies, sang it best: if I had a million dollars. Well, I’ll tell you what I’d do if I had that kind of cash during Small Business Week of 2014. I would get some partners and build a technology institution in the Sahtu.
A Sahtu technical institution that would bring young people together that could be taught how to succeed in life by developing the ability to think in practical terms rather than theoretical terms. Learn by doing, doing things in the business world.
The time is now for our government and industry to invest in our youth and in businesspeople. Our small business is the best investment our government can make. The public and the market will greatly benefit in having educated, skilled workers that build their business. Our best capital is our businesspeople. They have imagination. Where would private industry and our government be without imagination, trail-breaking innovators, the thinkers who dare to think outside the box? We might have the next Bombardier, Steve Jobs or Thomas Edison or Jackie Robinson living in Tulita or Deline or Fort Good Hope. But they will not have the eureka moment or the big break until we lead by example and invest in a technological institution for the Sahtu.
Now it’s time to partnership. Whether you’re a trapper in Fort Good Hope or an oil executive sitting in Norman Wells, it’s time to bring our people together.
These are people benefitting the communities through the breakfast program, bringing our culture together by building the moose skin boat.
Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
At student graduations you see a long list of the businesspeople that come to the graduations to contribute to the success and achievement of the high school graduates.
In conclusion, businesspeople are hardworking people who are on a 24/7 call, year after year pursuing their dreams, the dreams that they pass on to children, that if you work hard, you will get what you want. There are failures, but you have to get yourself up off the ground again and put that as part of the value in their upbringing. Let’s celebrate these businesspeople who are there for us in the North.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a good day. I would like to congratulate Cora Helmer and Stephane Millette. They had a new baby boy this morning, over 8 pounds, and they have not named him yet.
---Applause
I suggested Robert, but I’m not sure if that’s going to fly or not.
---Laughter
Mr. Speaker, it’s a good day. Today we can announce that we have two midwives in Hay River, Heather Heinrichs and Toni Fehr. Both have experience in delivering babies in a northern remote setting. This Hay River midwifery team will be partnered with Yellowknife doctor, Dr. Guthrie. Dr. Guthrie is well known to Hay River; he used to practice in Hay River.
This team will also receive training, along with some of the RNs in Hay River, to implement this Midwifery Program, a great thing for putting Hay River back on birth certificates, which was a goal of ours when we started this Assembly.
This program will be optional, but it does put Hay River back on the map. This program will be available to Hay River, Hay River Reserve and Enterprise residents. This program was started in January. We are excited to see the future come forward. Good luck everybody. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure Members and the public are ready for a good news story for a change.
Kakisa is getting a new community hall and I wanted to recognize the good work being done on this project. Community halls are important to the social fabric of the NWT. They are the scene of hundreds of local events but also serve the territory as a meeting place for visitors, presentations, consultations and regional special occasions.
The new facility replaces a much smaller community hall attached to the band office, and Kakisa simply outgrew the space. Using its MACA infrastructure contribution, the community planned a new stand-alone hall that will benefit everyone in the community.
The community has let two RFPs for the project and I am pleased that both contracts were awarded to northern companies. Community members were full participants in the design process. The project is now well underway. The foundation and floor have been laid, the walls are up, and hopefully the roof is put on before we get much more snow. The project should be complete by the end of March.
The new hall will make it possible to accommodate meetings, conferences, feasts, programs for youth and people of all ages, special events and, who knows, maybe even the Dehcho First Nations Assembly or the Dene Nation Assembly this summer. Kakisa’s community hall and nearby campground will make a unique venue for a retreat for regional or territorial organizations.
I want to recognize the community members who are leading the charge on this initiative and their efforts for taking on the project. I look forward to seeing the new facility become a well-used gathering place and a real asset to the community.
Please join me in congratulating Kakisa on the work so far. I look forward to the grand opening of the new community hall sometime next spring. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Everywhere I look, and it doesn’t take any effort at all, you see Northerners dedicating themselves to the success of this great territory. You find people committed in every single corner of our North, whether they’re lifelong Northerners or they’re people who have invested a few short years in getting to know the North. It doesn’t matter if they’re First Nation, Metis, Inuvialuit or non-Aboriginal. So many have dedicated their families to northern values and the opportunities that are before them.
There is certainly much to be proud of. But, as I fear, and certainly many people do, that those values have been under attack by this government and its outlook when it comes to hiring Northerners in real jobs. When the everyday Northerner is trying to find work, they’re looking for a break and certainly a helping hand.
Jobs are different everywhere you look. In Yellowknife the unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. In the communities it’s over 30 percent. That should be a bell ringing loud and clear to this government. But when Northerners see themselves so easily shut out by job fairs that head down south to Ottawa, they wonder, do they matter anymore. Does the investment that they make here with their families, where they pour their hearts and souls into our communities, does it matter little?
Jimmy Carter’s famous slogan was always your politicians will always be there when they need you. Frankly, it couldn’t be more clearly illustrated when this Cabinet recently pulled out their chequebook and waved a $20 million cheque to cover the shortfall of the Power Corp. Now, we all know the citizens certainly were grateful to avoid that rate rider, but frankly, now that the dust has settled, the citizens are asking, was that to ensure that they weren’t hammered continually in this Assembly.
For years I’ve been calling for power rate relief, and it’s always fallen on deaf ears and brushed off as something they would never do. Let’s get to the bottom line. Illustrations like that couldn’t be clearer. This government has had hundreds of ghost jobs on the books, some real, some who knows what when it comes to unreal positions. It’s time this government starts to pony up the truth about where some of these jobs are, what results have been driven by these southern job fairs. Frankly, we’re going to hear whining from this government about micromanagement and too much detail, but the darned everyday citizen calls this accountability and it’s time to step up.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to take a second to recognize a Page that I have working in the Assembly last week and this week. Kyle Stannard from Kam Lake. I also wanted to take a second to recognize representative Bob Herron, visiting us from the great state of Alaska. Welcome, Bob. I see Sean Ivens up there as well. Welcome, Sean. Welcome to the Assembly, and everybody else that’s here today, welcome.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off I’d like to join you in recognizing Hunter Tootoo. He’s been a good friend over the years that I’ve gotten to know, and as well, he’s flanked by two women amazingly time has stopped for, Christy Sinclair and Wanda Norwegian. I’ve known them a long time and they look as young as ever. I don’t know how I keep getting older. It’s the truth, though; that’s the problem. Same as Mr. Ramsay there, I too wish to recognize Sean Ivens. He’s a very well-known businessman. We grew up together in Fort Simpson. He spent many years in Hay River and certainly in Yellowknife, and he’s certainly sitting next to his lovely wife, Rhonda Ivens, who certainly keeps him walking hard, and it’s great to see them both here today.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to introduce to you and through you a number of people with us here today, and of course, in no particular order, we do have, as we heard earlier, Mr. Sean Ivens, welcome, and the lovely Rhonda Ivens. Thank you very much for joining us today. With us, our Page Program, as we all know, is a great program introducing youth across the North to our proceedings in the House. I do have a couple of young people here from the Range Lake School who also are Range Lake residents. I apologize if I pronounce this wrong. Nokuthula Rukobo and Quinn Levesque, thank you very much for all your work as Pages for us at the House. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Mr. Bouchard.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Sean Ivens, a long-timer from Hay River and a friend of mine, as well as representative Herron who represents us. We’ve talked quite a bit about Alaska and the Northwest Territories and how much we have in common. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
