Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we did make progress in this House a while back. I supported the government when the Department of Executive introduced the regional director positions so there could be a better link between the GNWT residents in the region and government headquarters. So can the Premier explain why even these regional directors of our North Slave region are located at the headquarters in Yellowknife? How can this position support the region if it is located in Yellowknife? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to touch on my earlier Member’s statement about the transfer of the North Slave office staff to Behchoko. Mr. Speaker, this government is contradicting itself when it recognizes the Tlicho Government but it does not have the regional offices with decision-making powers in the Tlicho region. Mr. Speaker, it’s time this government sees these decision-makers to be in the communities. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Can the Premier explain how over a year this government continues to ignore the self-government of the Tlicho by refusing to...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Mr. Speaker, requests forwarded to headquarters go through multiple levels of bureaucracy. Their message may change in this process. They are either delayed or sometimes lost in the system. This is not necessary and causes undue hardship, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government should give the Tlicho region with Behchoko the same acknowledgment that it did with the Sahtu and the transfer of North Slave regional office function serving the Tlicho from Yellowknife to Behchoko.

As the Government of the Northwest Territories chooses to represent the Tlicho...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a student from St. Pat’s, my best friend and my son, Jay Lafferty.

---Applause

Mahsi, Chair. At this time, I wish to report progress.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, I’d like to question on my Member’s statement regarding revenue sharing. (Translation ends)

…stress to finalizing this important deal that we’re faced with, resource revenue sharing. It is essential we unite as one voice in the North.

Mr. Speaker, my first question was already asked by my colleague Mr. Hawkins. I will just continue with my next question. Mr. Speaker, to date, over the past 20 years how much have we spent approximately to date, just a rough figure on these negotiations with the federal government? I think the public needs to be...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, the issue of hearing negotiating resource revenue sharing and devolution talks between the GNWT and federal government, we're beginning to tune out the phrase. Mr. Speaker, for the past 20-plus years this government is still in negotiations, but no light yet at the end of the tunnel. We cannot wait any longer, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, with the recent cuts of $1 billion from the federal government, are we waiting patiently for another drastic cut, this time in health, education or even justice, that is high importance in our regions and NWT?

Mr...

Move the motion? Sorry. I move that we report progress.

Mahsi, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Members wish to consider Bill 6, Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Madam Chair. Madam Chair…(English not provided)

Madam Chair, I'd just to rephrase what I've said in my language about the importance of having an additional seat for Tlicho, as I presented here in motion format.

Madam Chair, with respect to what Members are saying around the table here and the vote that came into play, I understand the status quo position, especially from the outlying communities and the stress for the funding going to the communities. But at the same time, we, as the Tlicho Government and I representing Monfwi, try to work around the status quo of 19 Members. We met...