Michael Nadli

Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

Northwest Territories residents are fortunate to have had Elaine Keenan-Bengts, a lawyer in private practice, as the Information and Privacy Commissioner since 1997. This length of service provides the Northwest Territories with remarkable continuity and expertise in the complex and involved field of access to information and protection of privacy. The Standing Committee on Government Operations is grateful for Ms. Keenan-Bengts passion for information and privacy rights in northern Canada. It respects her work in reviewing complaints and making thoughtful, well...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s encouraging, once again, to hear the Minister commit to a working relationship with NCS. I know this, perhaps, could take a medium- to long-term solution, looking at trying to draw the federal government in as well.

In the interim and in the immediate need, would the Minister work with NCS to set up a maintenance and technology fund to address the immediate needs of long-term health of community equipment, especially with communities that right now are not able to access the House and be aware of what’s happening in the NWT? There are some communities that don’t...

It’s encouraging that the Minister is committing to review such a priority for small communities. Has ECE taken the steps to review or evaluate the community broadcasting program, and if so, when was it done and what was the conclusion? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t say enough about the importance of community radio stations to the fabric of small town lives. I wish I could show Dennis Allen’s great film about CBQM radio in this House. I would recommend it to all the Members and everyone listening. In fact, I would recommend it to everyone in Canada. It’s that good and it shows the real life, humour and spirit of our communities. Someone else wants to talk.

Of course, anyone living within earshot of Fort Providence should tune in to CHFP radio, operated by Zhatie K’oe Friendship Centre. Someone else wants to talk.

Community...

Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of trying to lay the foundation, and this government has indicated, quite publicly, it’s partnership principle of working with communities and agencies such as NCS, would the Minister commit to ensure that that partnership is developed and supported, and at the same time, would the Minister increase the maximum grant per community and the overall budget of the Community Broadcasting Program? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At one point or another, everyone here, I think it’s probably safe to say, grew up with radio in the background, in the bush or else in their homes. Radio continues to be an effective medium of communication for Aboriginal languages. It’s a vital net that bonds everyone together in the smaller communities.

My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The $6,000 a year grant has not increased since 2001. That’s very concerning. Why hasn’t ECE supported community broadcasting and not increased it for so long, especially trying to even consider it...

Mr. Speaker, as you know, we come from a culture of habit and respect for elders and especially senior citizens that travel long ways, especially as we turn to increase our potential in tourism. Why is there not discounted rates for senior citizens that use the campgrounds, especially as they travel a long way to be up here in the North? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you enter the Northwest Territories, we are quite fortunate to have rest stops and campgrounds right from Enterprise leading up right to Yellowknife. My question is to the Minister of ITI.

In these campgrounds that we have, I wanted to come to an understanding. Right now we are at the height of tourism season starting. What kind of rate structure does ITI have for campgrounds for daily to long-term usage in the campgrounds? Mahsi.

Has the department had any discussions with Health and Social Services as to a timeline of what we could perhaps expect as an opening and the operation of the health centre on the reserve?

Madam Chair, at this point has the department had any preliminary ideas as to the fate of the old health centre, realizing that, when the community health centre is completed, there will be a decision that will have to be made regarding the old health centre?