Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last Friday in Aklavik we were very honoured to have Premier Bob McLeod visit and pay tribute to the recipients of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Awards. Dean McLeod, Barbara Archie, Mary Kendi and Nellie Cournoyea were the four recipients in Aklavik.

The residents of Aklavik and the Mackenzie Delta joined the Premier in extending congratulatory greetings to the recipients and wish to commend them for their tireless effort in making their community a better place to live, and for contributing to Aklavik, the Northwest Territories and Canada.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee...

Nothing further, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Within the plans for 2013 year I was very shocked to see the lack of spending within the Mackenzie Delta riding. Over the last year we’ve noticed a lot of residents moving back to our communities of the Mackenzie Delta. Whether it’s lack of work either in Inuvik or a lot of students coming back from school in the south, we’ve seen a huge increase of students coming back to the communities. With that, we’ve seen a big demand for housing within the regions. I was hoping that we could plan for this coming year to put more infrastructure into the communities.

Also, to do...

At this time I have no further questions. Thank you.

I’d like to ask the Minister when will the renovations be started and completed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to wish one of the most respected elders of the Mackenzie Delta a very happy 97th birthday.

Gwich’in elder Peter Kay Sr. from Fort McPherson is to be commended on healthy living and for taking care of his family, and also living the Gwich’in cultural lifestyle.

Mr. Kay’s livelihood, active living and positive outlook on life and family have given him the opportunity today to spend precious time with his family at 97 years young.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Assembly. Please join me in congratulating Peter Kay on his 97th...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’d like to commend this government for continuing to operate through the formula funding agreement. Through my past experience, I know how fortunate the communities are to have this funding available to the communities to make their own decisions on how they want to spend this money and I hope we can continue to do this.

That said, a few concerns that I do have are along the lines of the water treatment plants. Over the next number of years we’re going to see development up on the Peel River watershed possibly, and Aklavik is downstream on the Peel River from the Peel...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2012, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission, 2012, is hereby established;

And further, that the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the Honourable Shannon Smallwood be appointed chairperson, and Mr. Charles Furlong and Mr. Ian McCrea be appointed members of the Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission, 2012.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Will the Minister be open to a proposal from either the Gwich’in Tribal Council or the Inuvialuit Development Corporation to offer home boarding for the students from the smaller communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have raised the issue and problems with home boarding of students in Inuvik several times in this House. Students from Tsiigehtchic and Sachs Harbour have nowhere else to go to complete their high school studies, but all too often home boarding does not work out and the students drop out of school entirely. What is the Minister doing to secure a residence where students can stay during the months they have to study in Inuvik?