Floyd Roland

I guess I could do the proverbial “I was misquoted,” but, no, the fact is I was speaking frankly with an interviewer and he asked, well, some people have said you were too heavy-handed in your actions.

Clearly, these were not my actions. They were the actions of the Assembly. The majority of Members agreed that we need to move forward with this process. We decided to do that. Taking the stance and holding the stance, some may consider that heavy-handed and I guess I would look at it that there are some people who would believe that is the action I took and followed.

Quite clearly, one of the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents entitled Status Report to June 2011: Environment and Natural Resources Framework for Action 2008-2012; and 2011-2015, A Greenhouse Gas Strategy for the Northwest Territories.

The transition document itself will cover quite a number of areas: the work that we’ve been doing as the 16th Assembly, the work that’s ongoing. This will fall into that category of ongoing work and put it before them. I can’t weight a priority of the next government, but it will be part of that document of transition and a commitment from the 16th Assembly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Member will be happy to hear that, in fact, I’ve just signed off a letter to forward the discussion paper to the Standing Committee on Social Programs. Thank you.

The work that we’re doing by handing it over to the committee for their initial look and being part of the transition I can’t commit to a public release. We would have to, as we transition this to the next government, leave it to the new government to decide if they will distribute it publicly after hearing from the committees in the 17th Assembly.

The work that we’ve done in forwarding the discussion paper to committee, we’ll await their response. Clearly, as I’ve indicated to Members, this will be part of the transition that we will be preparing for the 17th Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I had the opportunity to recognize a few folks that are down doing some work around caribou issues as well as Wildlife Act issues. Further today I’d like to also recognize James Firth. I believe he’s about to be chairman of the Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On top of the process that we have in place where our corporations table their annual reports and business plans in this Assembly, that’s one method where Members have access and can measure how our corporations have done business. As for the ongoing work around the Financial Administration Act, I will have to speak to the Minister on that work and see what’s been incorporated and the timelines for that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Even as we try to come to terms with the tragedy that unfolded in our territory over the weekend, we were faced this morning by more sad news: the untimely passing of the Honourable Jack Layton, who until his recent leave of absence led Canada’s New Democratic Party and the Official Opposition in our federal Parliament.

Mr. Layton’s political accomplishments, particularly during the most recent federal election, are known and documented for all Canadians. He will be remembered in large part for changing the political landscape of our country, and for his trademark spirit...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, I will move that Bill 24, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2011-2012, be read for the first time.