Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories, I think everybody is aware, is a big challenge for this government, at the same time especially for people that live in their homes. Of course, particular costs that concerns all of us is just the cost of fossil fuels, including fuel oil. Disabled persons, this government I believe, tries to support them by ensuring that they live independently. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment: under the income support umbrella, what programs exist to help people with disabilities...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for highlighting that initiative that was just recent in terms of the move forward in terms of bringing the regular side of the House to be involved in the spirit of consensus of trying to at least address the outstanding land claims that are still ongoing. Trying to at least help out the process. Maybe the Minister could at least outline to us maybe some of the principles or interests that he might ensure that negotiators have in terms of moving forward. The fundamental question is: how can this government help negotiations move forward? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the spirit of trying to advance the Iand claims and self-government negotiations forward, especially with the outstanding regions, I just wanted to understand. It states within, at least the departmental business plans, that there will be an effort to revisit the negotiations mandate, and these are the mandates that, you know, guides the negotiators at the table. I want to understand, in terms of the negotiations to mandate for the GNWT that we bring to perhaps, you know, the Dehcho First Nations table or the Tlicho table or else the negotiations with the Metis. When...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am aware that our Minister had been chair at the national level of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group. That chairmanship ends this summer, so I just wanted to maybe ask whether the Minister could maybe highlight for us in terms of the GNWT’s involvement at the national level and how perhaps we have influenced the national agenda in terms of addressing the Aboriginal issues across Canada, and more so for the NWT. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Maybe I can be corrected in the presentation of the positions. Perhaps we could maybe see a breakdown, a distinction, between Deh Cho and Nahendeh. Thank you.

No, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've seen other jurisdictions across Canada successfully provide incentives for people with disabilities. In the Northwest Territories we already have precedents. Precedents of providing assistance to seniors' fuel subsidies as one example. Will the Minister commit to review this issue through the government's inventory of available services? Mahsi.

I'd like to thank the Minister for his reply. The services that the Minister outlines, can he provide an explanation in terms of those services that are available to disabled persons at the community level, and at the same at the territorial level?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister comment on possible opportunities for the Northwest Territories stemming from the federal government's commitment to get remote communities off diesel, especially in terms of getting financial support for renewable energy projects? Mahsi.

I'd like to thank the Minister for her reply. How will Regular Members on this side of the House and the public be involved in the development of the Energy Plan?