Michael Nadli

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my colleagues, constituents and all the residents of the Northwest Territories a safe and enjoyable summer. Wear sunscreen and don’t let the bugs bite. Mahsi.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment formalize current and future competency-based training programs for client service officers and student case officers, and should identify and provide core training so officers can attain and maintain the competencies their jobs require. The department should also ensure that staff members receive regular training updates, to ensure that they fully understand Income Security Program requirements. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment clarify policies, procedures and guidelines outlining Income Security Program delivery requirements and how to meet them, and ensure staff understand and are following these procedures and guidelines. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Before moving into a motion, I think it’s been said that perhaps we need to understand this process of ensuring that we scrutinize the government and keep them accountable in terms of how funding is dispersed and policies are maintained, and the integrity of the institutions that we uphold on behalf of the public is something that our voters expect us to maintain. Therefore, an exercise that we had to endure today is a procedure that has been mandated to this committee. It has been a fairly monotonous task that needs to go forth.

I’d like to thank my colleague Mr. Hawkins for initiating this motion. I understand that down the road the government will be receiving a portion of the $70 million or so. Initial thoughts were that it should be invested perhaps in infrastructure, Heritage Fund or debt repayment. The question should be: Should we invest more in the public sector or less in the private sector? This is an opportunity for the public to have a say in terms of how resource revenues should be decided. Therefore, I support the principle of this motion. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Front-line staff do not receive sufficient training

Income security programs and the ECE strategic plan require the department to train staff to fulfill their duties. CSOs must complete a two-week course to receive their statutory designation, with authority to assess client eligibility, evaluate their financial needs and issue payments. The CSOs had completed the course, but the department does not have an ongoing training and development program for CSOs. Student financial assistance case officers, for their part, receive a binder, but no formal training. The department...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the Report of the Auditor General of Canada on the 2013 Northwest Territories Income Security Programs and commends it to this House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is World Environment Day. It is the biggest and most widely celebrated day for positive environmental action. It is perhaps fitting that this day we chose to vote on a motion to support devolution on the management of public lands and resources from Canada to this government. I hope that this is a sign of our strong determination to respect our land and environment.

We Dene people are part of the land, the land is part of us, it is integral to our lives. We thank the moose or caribou, it gives us life to feed us, to keep us strong and healthy. We thank the land for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to welcome all the guests that are here. In particular I’d like to recognize former Speaker, MLA, chief and grand chief, Mr. Sam Gargan from Fort Providence; also, Arthur Elleze and Russell Elleze as well.

I’d like to also highlight the two Pages who have been here throughout this week. Ms. Christina Bonnetrouge is 15 years old and in Grade 9. This fall she will be in high school, Grade 10, and her favour subjects are math, language arts and gym. During her spare time she can be found reading, writing or playing on her guitar. Her favourite sport is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I will be not be voting in favour of devolution. In developing the responsibilities to territorial government is what we are going to be voting to be…[Translation ends]

…recent public information session as information sessions, not general consultation of seeking the public’s views on devolution understanding that this is a take it or leave it deal.

What choice do we have? As a leader, I have major concerns regarding the lack of movement of both the GNWT and federal government on the progress of negotiations of the Dehcho Process. The federal government...