Michael Nadli

I appreciate the Minister’s response. Recognizing that there is a real disparity between how kids are doing in the small communities compared to the larger centres and, actually, Yellowknife, I’m worried that this government will feel fiscal restraints and fail to adequately fund the Education Renewal Initiative.

Can the Minister commit to a substantial increase in funding for this initiative and especially in attacking dismal education outcomes reported in small communities? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are directed at the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I believe the vision of the 17th Assembly is we have healthy, educated people free from poverty. At the same time, in reference to my statement, I made the point that sometimes parents are confronted with the reality of paying their rent for this month or feeding their kids. Children don’t understand or care about fiscal restraint, yet they live with its very real effects.

What concrete things is this government doing to support families with young children in the Deh Cho communities...

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...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One of the ongoing and primary interests of aspirations of First Nations people is clearly understanding their role within the union of the NWT. I think for a long time there’s been…(inaudible)…towards development of a Constitution of the NWT. I know right now, we work within a strong link to the federal government through the NWT Act. It’s always been clearly stated by various tables that we should try to maybe spend some effort in developing a Constitution for the NWT in preparation for the ultimate road to provincehood. There are some building blocks that have been...

The Minister has indicated that his staff at ITI should talk to the people of Kakisa to ensure that there is a possibility that beyond the summer and fall they could be operational.

Will the Minister work to ensure that that does indeed happen and that the carrier support from the GNWT will continue with the community? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Kakisa, of course, is a small community, but I’m very pleased to state that the community has been working together, especially to the benefit of the local fishermen. I think DFO has been involved with working with the First Nations community at the same time, and as a product of working together, a small building was constructed.

So my question to the Minister of ITI is: What resources are available for Kakisa to extend the operating season of its fish plant beyond the summer and fall? Mahsi.

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?