Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today is very important. There's a lot of graduates in our territory today and as leaders and elders, we have a high school. They want a better school in our community. (Translation ends)

…of the Tlicho high school as outlined in my Member's statement the other day in this House. I think it is time that this government refocuses capital planning initiatives into the NWT and Canada that is ready to take on any major development initiatives that comes its way.

Mr. Speaker, it is apparent that a new facility for Aurora...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the Minister will be coming to our region and we’ll be dealing with that particular issue. Mr. Speaker, the next issue I’d like to address is the community of Behchoko. The Minister highlighted that his department is working with the Behchoko community government. Mr. Speaker, I’m just wondering if the Minister can outline how far they are with the planning process, because they’ve identified two locations. I’m just wondering where they’re at with the planning process. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I have some questions for the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Honourable Michael McLeod, with regard to the urgent situation in my Tlicho communities. The dumps are located too close to the communities and all kinds of stuff, predators, are being attracted to the dump and they are coming to the communities. My constituents are afraid to let their children or even grandchildren walk outside or even walk to school. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for MACA if he would relocate these dumps...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you know, the summer is here already and the winter is not too far away. Can the Minister affirm, in this House, that he will expeditiously work with his department and identify the need for a backup generator in the community of Behchoko for this winter? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell me what the difference is between a seniors’ home in Behchoko and a seniors’ home in Hay River and Fort Smith which do have backup generators? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, Aurora College and the department must be open to the idea of looking beyond Yellowknife for their ideal new facility site. The college and the government must realize that in order to build northern capacity, the college must have a facility that can model and reinforce the Dene culture and region to the aboriginal population far more successfully than it is currently doing. Mr. Speaker, I would like the department to seriously consider and start planning for a new Aurora College campus to be built in Behchoko. Perhaps if this were to...

Mahsi, Chair. Mr. Chair, I’m just, I guess for yesterday and today, just sitting back and observing what’s been said around the table. Talks about this Deh Cho building, we talk about the past the present and the future. We talk about the past where we should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. I think we really need to step backwards and say okay, let’s move forward. We need to decide what we’re going to do now, because I agree with what Members around the table are saying where they are badly, I guess, disappointed in the whole process where the AOC and the Regular Members weren’t consulted. I...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister stated that the Tlicho Community Services Agency gave advance notice of hiring elders when it’s required will make it easier within the system. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, on a daily basis we are faced with huge challenges of last minute changes, not only in my communities but in other small, isolated communities. We must respect what the elders' decisions are. Mr. Speaker, due to these unforeseen circumstances, can the Minister commit to amending the policy in the FMBS system that will respect and reflect the Tlicho Community Services...

Mahsi, Chair. Mr. Chair, I’m just, I guess for yesterday and today, just sitting back and observing what’s been said around the table. Talks about this Deh Cho building, we talk about the past the present and the future. We talk about the past where we should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. I think we really need to step backwards and say okay, let’s move forward. We need to decide what we’re going to do now, because I agree with what Members around the table are saying where they are badly, I guess, disappointed in the whole process where the AOC and the Regular Members weren’t consulted. I...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, last week I asked a question to the Minister regarding payment to elders and how they are not getting paid as fast as they should because elders are very important and we want to be able to help them. (Translation ends)

Dogrib Treaty 11 Council has asked the Dogrib Community Services Board to operate a number of programs and projects on its behalf that were closely connected to the mandate of the board. These include the scholarship program, a variety of language and culture projects such as the birch bark canoe project, the caribou skin tent...