Michael Nadli

Mr. Speaker… [Translation] Today we have a few people here. I want to say in my language, thank you for being here. We have to work with them for several years. Some of them are chiefs; some of them are still young and there are new people, young people are with them. So, I want to say thank you for being here with us. They’re here for a meeting. So, thank you for being here. [Translation ends]

…the leaders, led by Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, plus all the leaders and the elders who are here as well. My colleague, MLA for Nahendeh, is going to share the responsibility of trying to recognize all...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a couple of general comments, but more likely leading up to some questions as well. But for the most part I think the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs might understand where I might be coming from today, because we had such a large group today. Just touching base with some of the leaders, there’s some renewed optimism that things could be salvaged, things could be made possible in terms of at least realizing a dream for some of us, the conclusion of land claims and self-government arrangements, especially with the regions that haven’t settled yet, including the...

I’d like to thank the Premier for basically stating that this government is taking this matter very seriously and doing all it can to assist communities and Northerners with the high cost of living.

Several MLAs in Nunavut have made damning statements against Nutrition North. In places like Gjoa Haven, two small bags of groceries cost residents well over $100.

What is this government doing to collaborate with our territorial neighbours in Nunavut to tackle food insecurity across the entire North? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Premier. This government needs to show stronger leadership in taxing the high costs of basic goods. In my Member’s statement I highlighted the Nutrition North Program.

Has the Premier and his Cabinet reviewed the findings of the Auditor General’s report and public health experts who have clearly demonstrated deficiencies in the Nutrition North Program? As an obvious next step, is this government putting pressure on the federal government to fix fundamental problems with Nutrition North or even bringing the old Food Mail back? Mahsi.

I want to thank the Minister for his reply. One of the experiences that I have had is that you could approach your family doctor or physician in trying to assist you in terms of quitting cigarettes. They could offer a smoking cessation program. One of the examples of what kind of services that the people could find through their doctors is the patch, the Nicoderm patch, and that is what I personally use.

What is the department doing to reduce the overall impacts and costs to the health care system caused by chronic illness caused by smoking cigarettes and tobacco use? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. What are the current rates of smoking in the Northwest Territories? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Part of the initiatives in trying to educate the public is prevention strategies, and the department should be commended in terms of doing the public campaign in terms of informing citizens of the facts of smoking.

What are some other healthy living initiatives that the department is undertaking to combat the overall costs of cigarettes and cancer, and so forth that affect people in the NWT? Mahsi.

What is the Department of Health and Social Services doing to help people quit smoking cigarettes? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to say I’ve been smoke-free of cigarettes since November 10, 2014. Before this time, I would wake up first thing in the morning and have a coffee and a cigarette, smoke up to about four packages of cigarettes a week, and experience exhaustion and fatigue. I could only smoke outside, and the smell of cigarettes clung to my clothes.

I thought of quitting smoking cigarettes for a long time. [English translation not provided.]

Like many of my peers, I started smoking as a teenager as it looked cool and helped me fit into the crowd. Tobacco use also extended to my...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Some comments regarding our budget for this year and most likely our last, generally the budget presents itself as being very balanced in terms of ensuring our expenditures do not exceed our revenues. That has always been the basic approach and tenet of any good organization that tries to deliver service to its citizens or its constituents. This government has done a fair job over the last few years, at least from being an MLA during that time.

The riding that I represent is the Deh Cho riding. We are in the southern part of the NWT and we enjoy the conveniences of being...