Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday one of our colleagues raised an issue about literacy cuts, and the Minister came back saying we are not in the position where I can reach into my back pocket today and replace the money that has been lost. Mr. Speaker, I feel that we, as a government, need to be on a standby where if there are drastic cuts then we need to be prepared for that. Also, the Minister quoted that we will not look at what we can do, or to see what he can do. I need to see some results action oriented. So, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit to providing core funding to...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is the third time I am standing here speaking on an important issue. I am speaking on behalf of the elders in Behchoko. The Jimmy Erasmus Seniors’ Home does not have a backup generator. I stressed this in February, June and now today, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the Minister of the Housing Corporation, what has the department done to date since then to install a backup generator at the Jimmy Erasmus Seniors Home in Behchoko? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the recent drastic federal cuts to literacy funding have hit the Northwest Territories Literacy Council particularly hard. They have depended on these program dollars for many years and have built important programs and services that communities across the NWT have come to rely on. These cuts will have a major impact on delivery of family community literacy programs and supports, and will affect aboriginal communities in particular. I understand the Minister will be meeting with his federal counterparts next Tuesday. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister please...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday one of our colleagues raised an issue about literacy cuts, and the Minister came back saying we are not in the position where I can reach into my back pocket today and replace the money that has been lost. Mr. Speaker, I feel that we, as a government, need to be on a standby where if there are drastic cuts then we need to be prepared for that. Also, the Minister quoted that we will not look at what we can do, or to see what he can do. I need to see some results action oriented. So, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit to providing core funding to...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the recent drastic federal cuts to literacy funding have hit the Northwest Territories Literacy Council particularly hard. They have depended on these program dollars for many years and have built important programs and services that communities across the NWT have come to rely on. These cuts will have a major impact on delivery of family community literacy programs and supports, and will affect aboriginal communities in particular. I understand the Minister will be meeting with his federal counterparts next Tuesday. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister please...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been approached on several occasions from the elders. I usually visit the elders in the seniors’ home and they are still concerned even though there is a backup generator. So just with respect to that, can the Minister and department make a commitment to meet with the Tlicho Community Services Agency if there is a current emergency plan in place? If not, can they establish one immediately before the winter comes? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister outlined the cost. We talk about the elders’ lives here. People who are 80 and 90 years of age cannot be transported to Yellowknife if there is an emergency in the community. He also talked about the backup that is currently installed and it should avoid, he was saying. I don’t see that being a remedy. We can’t say “should." We cannot guarantee that this will assist the elders in the seniors’ home. So, Mr. Speaker, we have witnessed the first snowfall, as you can see. It’s time the government started listening to our elders, our respected elders...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been approached on several occasions from the elders. I usually visit the elders in the seniors’ home and they are still concerned even though there is a backup generator. So just with respect to that, can the Minister and department make a commitment to meet with the Tlicho Community Services Agency if there is a current emergency plan in place? If not, can they establish one immediately before the winter comes? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Literacy Council is an important element in the Northwest Territories and also the smaller communities. I just certainly hope that the Minister will seriously look into this, or his counterparts in the federal government, and lobby the government and hopefully re-establish the funding that has been lost. I just want to make that statement. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister outlined the cost. We talk about the elders’ lives here. People who are 80 and 90 years of age cannot be transported to Yellowknife if there is an emergency in the community. He also talked about the backup that is currently installed and it should avoid, he was saying. I don’t see that being a remedy. We can’t say “should." We cannot guarantee that this will assist the elders in the seniors’ home. So, Mr. Speaker, we have witnessed the first snowfall, as you can see. It’s time the government started listening to our elders, our respected elders...