Michael Nadli

It seems that once the budget is approved, that’s when things will move.

The other point is people are very familiar with the federal initiative. The federal initiative, not a GNWT initiative, that’s been very successful is the Aboriginal Head Start Program and some communities have taken advantage of that.

In my statement I talked about child poverty, noting the high rate of poverty in small communities. The ECD Action Plan will involve data that measures children’s readiness for school. It’s an internationally recognized instrument called the EDI.

How are kids in small communities performing...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to discuss child poverty and its effect on learning. We know that children are less resilient than adults when their basic needs aren’t met. We know that to thrive and learn, they need nutritious food, a safe place to sleep, loving relationships and stimulating learning opportunities.

Poverty forces people to eat bad food and live in substandard homes. It breeds toxic stress, shame and discouragement. Parents living in poverty are perpetually forced to make trade-offs: pay the rent this month or feed the kids, replace the kids’ outgrown winter clothes or take...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you. I’d like to thank the Minister for sharing that information. I have three points, by the way, but my second point is a matter of jurisdiction and that relates to the Hay River Reserve. I know it has been a challenge of this government to try and work through the levels of authority and legislation because the reserve is a unique jurisdiction in the NWT tied with the federal government. I know it has been a dilemma and frustration, at least from constituents, to see houses that remain empty and yet governments are basically stymied of trying to reach a solution. I know there have...

If I could, Mr. Chair, why not?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With regard to the intergovernmental relations, I just wanted to seek some clarification and information. As of April 1, 2014, as we proceed with devolution, I know the Premier has indicated there will be an Intergovernmental Council that will reside with the GNWT plus First Nations people sitting at one table. Is there a provision within the act that will clearly stipulate the role of the Intergovernmental Council? Mahsi.

I’d like to thank the Minister for his reply. In the Economic Opportunities Strategy it’s clearly outlined that this government is going to be supporting the fisheries industry in terms of at least bolstering the efforts of the Great Slave Lake area.

What resources are available in 2014-15 for communities that want to develop the commercial fisheries? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like all Aboriginal people of the NWT, the people of Kakisa have fished for generations. Kakisa was established in 1962 when the Dene living at Tathlina Lake moved to the east side of Kakisa Lake to be close to the Mackenzie Highway.

Fishing is integral to their way of life. In late 2012, Noda Enterprises, the business arm of Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation, opened a fish plant in Kakisa. This basic fish processing and holding facility allows local fishermen to prepare pickerel for sale in the region as an alternative to selling to the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation.

In...

My final point is just trying to understand the scope of April 1, 2014, when there is the transfer of responsibility, more authority, and in respect of land tenure and whether that holds any implications for the Housing Corporation. Right now, currently in communities you have Commissioner’s and then you have Crown land or IAB lands, and whether that’s going to change, because I think in people’s aspirations to build their own home there has to be, of course, a level of equity plus financing, and banks want a level of certainty, and whether that’s going to change or not.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My first comment is related to what I see as the social trend, the trend of social housing and moving away from homeownership. As we know, in communities we are challenged with finding employment and business opportunities, for that matter. Having a job is very far and few. If you do indeed work, you’re working on a seasonal basis. For example, in my home community there’s a large injection of job opportunities at the health centre and that’s not going to start until about April and people manage to get by in terms of trying to make a living, at the same time they...