Julie Green

I appreciate the response from the Minister. Can the Minister tell us who is going to deliver the program to the adults who need it?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I think it is worth revisiting this conversation because of the number of things that have changed in the last one or two terms since the Minister was a Regular Member around having a child and youth advocate. As I indicated in my statement, there is considerable uptake in both the Yukon and Nunavut in having these services available to children. Given that interest, how can I, as a Member of the Standing Committee on Social Development, move this initiative forward so that we can engage in conversation with the Minister and his department? Mahsi.

I appreciate the fulsome answer from the Minister. He said that he wants to make sure every voice is heard. I am wondering what the mechanism for that is without someone in a formal advocacy position.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome my constituent Linda Bussey who is continuing her public service, this time on the languages board. Merci beaucoup, Linda.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to revive a discussion started in the 14th Assembly about creating a child and youth advocate for the Northwest Territories. Children and youth need our special attention and support, particularly when they are being cared for by people other than their immediate families. Since the NWT started discussing this issue in 2003, Yukon has created an advocate office, and so has Nunavut. In fact, we are one of the only two jurisdictions in Canada without an office dedicated to protecting the rights of children on both an individual and systemic basis, as well as...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This government gives out a tremendous number of awards. We recognize people who speak Indigenous languages. We recognize volunteers. We recognize firefighters. We recognize people with the Premier's Awards. As far as I know, no one is responsible for fundraising money for those awards. They are part of the department's budget. I am wondering why the Status of Women is being treated differently in being told that they need to write proposals to corporate funders in order to host the Wise Women Awards. Thank you.

I have some follow-up questions. I just want to be clear that it is up to the Status of Women Council to have independent fundraising for these awards. Do I understand that correctly?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 2019 NWT Community Survey is now under way, and many residents around the NWT will either be getting a survey request in the mail or a knock on the door. The household survey covers topics such as housing, employment, education, and language, and I want to encourage everyone who is asked to participate in this valuable data collection event to do so.

The survey is being carried out by the NWT Bureau of Statistics. It will include a sample of households from the six largest communities, Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Simpson, Inuvik, and Behchoko...

Could the Minister tell us, of the awards that she is familiar with through her ministries in the last three years, which other awards the organizations are fundraising for?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. International Women's Day will soon be upon us, and traditionally, it has been the time that the Status of Women Council announces the annual winners of the Wise Women Awards. There weren't any awards last year, and I haven't seen a call for nominations this year. I am wondering if the Minister could tell us what's up with the Wise Women Awards. Thank you.