Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS seniors are valued and respected members of our communities who have contributed throughout their lives and deserve our support;

AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada has announced its intent to reform the Old Age Security system;

AND WHEREAS reductions to Old Age Security benefits and/or increasing the age of eligibility would negatively impact future NWT seniors;

AND WHEREAS poverty, the lack of jobs and employer-sponsored pensions, and low incomes already impact many seniors in the Northwest Territories, creating the need for the GNWT’s current Senior Citizens...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Once again, the Prime Minister’s office is also aware of Highway No. 7. I had a resident of Fort Simpson advocating with the Prime Minister of Canada as well. So I’d like to ask our Minister and our government to do the same, to make it a highlight of the federal government and to press it in that light and give us at least one line in the federal budget with Highway No. 7. Thank you.

Thank you very much. It’s clear that our territorial government knows that they need to rebuild the road, but it’s got limited resources, as well as it’s clear, also, that Cabinet must address the northern transportation infrastructure and the financial gap that we have. Also, I’d like if the Minister would raise it with the federal Minister and also indicate that because of our low population density, it’s not a reason to defer projects and expenditures in our riding.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two Pages that have come from the small community of Jean Marie River. Miss Alisha Grossetete and Miss Kyla Norwegian are in Grade 9. Thank you for your hard work this week.

Also to the chaperone, my cousin Ms. Yvonne Norwegian, who was here helping them throughout the week.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank Mr. Yakeleya for his motion. Last term, when I was chair of Government Operations, we reviewed the Official Languages Act. I was very pleased to hear about the languages secretariat at that time. What happened is it stimulated and supported our Aboriginal languages throughout the Northwest Territories. There was a significant decline in support for our Aboriginal languages once that department was disbanded. It was also said, even to this day, that the best support for languages are those employees who are in other departments to this day. I’m with Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are allowed to speak to this motion. I don’t think the intent was to have the motion speeded up in the House today, because of the seriousness of the issue that is before not only the NWT but all residents of Canada.

I know that the federal government had intended to change our Old Age Security system. Canadians want decent pensions, not more years of working. I know that the federal government said that it made plans for this budget, but they had indicated that now the changes will be in future years to come.

With that, I think our GNWT has to get on the right side of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I indicated earlier Ms. Yvonne Norwegian was a chaperone from Jean Marie, and she’s in the gallery. I’d like to welcome her to the proceedings of the House. Good to see you here.

I know that there was great concern over getting access to gravel to complete the airport and it could have been done this winter but it was delayed. Is the Minister anticipating the department to move forward with the gravel haul by next winter?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions. I was reading the Deh Cho Drum today, and the Trout Lake residents, of course, are concerned that the new airport construction is being delayed. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation how much of a delay in the construction is anticipated.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister to provide me with a brief project update before I return back to my constituency so I can provide it to the community so they can expect the work timelines?