Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to raise a point of personal privilege. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I just highlighted the whole purpose of this motion that was brought forward was due to the fact that we consulted with the communities. The community elders, mostly elders, have told us that with the apprehension process, most of the kids are transferred to Yellowknife. That is the whole idea behind this motion where we always stress the importance of having the child with an extended family member. I do agree with Mrs. Groenewegen from Hay River South, that there has to be a fit home as well in the community with the extended family. Is it a safe home? It...

Mahsi, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Committee Report 3-15(6), Child and Family Services Act. Mahsi, Madam Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a signed letter from Chief Gon from Gameti on a concern on the school extension for Gameti School. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(Translation)…Members of the Legislative Assembly are often called upon to represent and show support for their constituents in a wide variety of situations. It is a fundamental part of our job that every issue, every complaint and every person should get equal attention from his or her MLA.

Last week, I wrote a letter calling for a lenient sentence for a constituent convicted of sexual assault. It was not my intention to condone the actions of this man or in any way make light of the seriousness of his crime. Sexual assault and other acts of violence...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before the new highway was built, it was a public highway and we accessed those cabins by the old highway. Now we're saying no to these traditional trappers and hunters. We, as GNWT, have always stressed to retain and maintain our way of life. By importance of highlighting that in this House, on numerous occasions I have raised that issue. With that, Mr. Speaker, when I asked the Minister last fall, I do believe it was, that he was referring to opening up to other camp owners. At the same time, we're not talking about just plain old squatters. We're...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, for many years, Tlicho families have lived, and hunted, and trapped along the shores of Great Slave Lake. Many of these traditional camps were built near Highway No. 3 because it allowed families to maintain their traditional lifestyle while living in the town of Behchoko for part of the year. Still others maintained their traditional culture year round. When the Department of Transportation changed the structure of Highway No. 3, many traditional camps and homes were affected, Mr. Speaker. In the past, last fall, I raised that issue...

Mahsi, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Bill 4, Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation Act; Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act; and Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Mahsi, Madam Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad the Minister is taking up the offer. I am looking forward to that. Mr. Speaker, my next leading question is, when we identify a contractor in a community prior to 2005, there might have been a case at that time, but today, if you approach a community and say would you like us to clear your roads, they would be more than happy to take on the opportunity. Is the Minister willing to invest from his department to identify a contractor, whether it be DOT or in the community, to clear the access roads to the traditional cabins? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, policy is policy; it can be amended any time. The Minister has the responsibility to make changes to respect the traditional way of life. So I'd like to ask my final question to the Minister. Would the Minister be willing to meet with the leadership in Behchoko to find a solution for this ongoing issue that has been on the books for a number of years? Mahsi.