Jane Groenewegen

I was wondering if the department did any research on the readership of the News/North. Not to offend News/North, but I would suggest that the majority of school kids are not reading News/North. Perhaps $2,000 a week might have been better spent on samples of nutritious breakfasts that could have been taken into the schools and handed out for free. Does the Minister agree?

Well, that makes it even more curious, because if it’s youth that are developing this, I’m quite certain they’re probably old enough to go to the fridge and have a breakfast for themselves before they go to school so they don’t have an empty brain. And I don’t even believe that’s... I think that’s an offence to say empty stomachs make empty brains.

Anyhow, my question is this ad campaign, which is being paid for by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, I’d like to know what the price tag is on it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I opened the News/North today and this may not be the first time this ad has run, Mr. Speaker, but I was struck by this full page ad which says -- if I can just read it, it’s very brief -- “Empty Stomachs Make Empty Brains. Your kids cannot concentrate with growling stomachs. Everyone needs a healthy breakfast to start the day. Sponsored by the Northwest Territories Department of Education, Culture and Employment.”

Mr. Speaker, I find this ad offensive and I would suggest that if it’s run for very many times, it’s very expensive. Mr. Speaker, this government has way too...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. It is on the issue of the caribou. Mr. Speaker, this issue of conservation and use of the caribou as a resource in our Territory is a very complex issue. Mr. Speaker, we heard complaints about the consultation that took place between our government as a public government and the leaders of the aboriginal governments and the people who are affected by the harvest of this resource.

Mr. Speaker, consultation speaks to me about an exchange of ideas, information. It speaks to me of a dialogue, not a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Judging by the audience we have in the gallery today there is a very important issue there. I was going to speak about something else today, but I feel it’s important that since so many people have demonstrated an interest in this topic of the caribou, that I speak to it from my vantage point as only one of 19 Members elected to this Legislature. I hope this will be received in the spirit in which it is intended.

For the sake of the caribou I implore leaders of all affected stakeholder groups to continue a dialogue that is mutually respectful of all parties. Please don’t...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did support the motion to report so that I could support my colleague Mr. Krutko from the Mackenzie Delta. Mr. Speaker, emotions were obviously running very high in this House today on the issue that was at hand. I heard Mr. Krutko speak with a great deal of emotion. Mr. Yakeleya speaks with a great deal of emotion. It is the nature of the work that we do that sometimes. That is the kind of impassioned debate and dialogue that takes place in this House.

Mr. Speaker, I supported Mr. Krutko to have the opportunity to raise this point of privilege at the earliest...

Mr. Speaker, just to be absolutely clear so that everyone understands then, the Minister, as our point person, as our leader on this file, is telling us here today in the House and to the public that there are things that could be done to accommodate the rights of people to harvest while at the same time protecting this resource. There is flexibility in terms of our government’s mandate and ability to set rules, that there is flexibility through these negotiations and consultations. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago I asked several questions to the Minister on this same topic. I would like the Minister if he could, from his perception, characterize the degree of progress that we have made in dialoguing with our partners on this subject. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure today to thank and recognize two Pages from Hay River South, grade 8 students from Ecole Boreale School, Ms. Jill Belanger and Julia Gyapay.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee would like to continue with the Department of Health and Social Services in Committee of the Whole and then move on to conclude Education today. Thank you.