Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the committee wishes to consider Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2007-2008. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Just to conclude my question for the Minister, I would like to focus on the next step. Can the Minister commit to providing resources necessary to deal with these community-based strategies? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the statistics show that 36 percent of the overall population and 53 percent of people aged 15 to 24 consume more than five drinks per day, Mr. Speaker. These stats are compounded when we include those dealing with suicides, accidental deaths, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, education and employment. Obviously, what we are doing is not working. Has a review been done in each community to look at the success rates of the aftercare programs currently in place? Mahsi.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, we have Peter Huskey of Behchoko. He’s in the gallery to listen. I thank him for attending. Mahsi.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I, too, support this motion that’s in front of us. I’ve spoken in my language about the importance of having a criminal records done on whether it be government jobs, but it is happening in our backyard as well with mining industries. Our elders have always stressed look out for those little ones, they’re the future leaders, they’re the ones who will be sitting here. They were talking about us and now we have to pass on the torch to protect our young ones. Even the mining industries are protecting their valuable assets, their precious...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that was a short-term solution that we’ve just highlighted. Just moving on to a long-term solution, also in March the Minister expressed his concerns over the condition of the facility, as he just touched on as well, and expressed the need for immediate action on the situation. The long-term solution is to be found in a report to be conducted in a few months. In the past few months. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister please disclose the results and long-term solutions to be taken as a result of this report? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Housing Corporation regarding the seniors' home in Behchoko. This building has been there since 1986. It’s been there for many years now. When I went to visit there yesterday, the ceiling was dripping with water. You can see the water dripping onto the floors. I would like to know when they may replace the building. I asked this question before. I’m going to ask…(Translation ends)

In March, I spoke to the honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation regarding this government’s commitment to repair or...

Mahsi, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2007-2008, in detail. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I’d just like to highlight my support for this motion that’s in front of us today. I’d like to thank Mr. Yakeleya from Sahtu who presented this motion, and Mr. Pokiak as seconder. As we travel the North we hear right from the grassroots people that the power bill itself is extremely high in the small isolated communities. We just visited one of the small isolated communities over the past couple months; Ulukhaktok. When we went there and Tuktoyaktuk, we were just having discussions on the side. A person was having a $1...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m glad the department’s really focussing on the seniors’ home that’s in poor condition right now and the plan to replace that building within five years. But at the same time, Mr. Speaker, the immediate plan is a short-term plan. When is the repair going to be initiated? Because we’re dealing with this issue now. I’m getting so many calls from the communities, especially the elders. When is it going to be happening? Mahsi.