Norman Yakeleya

WHEREAS alcohol and drug abuse is increasing throughout the Northwest Territories with devastating effects on family and community well-being and economic opportunity;

AND WHEREAS substance abuse and addictions issues cost the Government of the Northwest Territories millions of dollars in terms of health care and criminal just systems;

AND WHEREAS liquor is a luxury item and taxed, generating revenues for the Government of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS substance abuse treatment and prevention programs are limited and in need of additional resources;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a few words to thank Mr. Dolynny for bringing this motion to the floor. When I first looked at it some time ago and Mr. Hawkins, as Mr. Dolynny pointed out, I didn’t really think much about this from an Aboriginal perspective. When we pass away, we are buried with all our parts. I had a hard time to come to grips with this, not until I heard some reports that a young man here in Yellowknife saved lives in Edmonton. I thought that was something. It must have taken a sacrifice by the family, just coming into a belief of a person who is deceased and how you do that...

The town of Inuvik, the government’s going to spend about $300,000 exploring long-term energy solutions for that community. We’re in a similar situation.

I want to ask this government here, what are the resources going to be allocated to help the town of Norman Wells to find a long-term renewable energy solution like they have done with the town of Inuvik.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Member’s statement – and I used several references to Member Bisaro’s and Minister R.C. McLeod – I want to ask Premier Bob McLeod, Minister of MACA, to follow in line with these questions. Like the Rolling Stones, I can’t get no satisfaction.

The town of Norman Wells is looking for some satisfaction and answers on their long-term energy solutions. Next year at this time, the town is going to be off of the natural gas system. What is this government doing to ensure that the town has a solution for their long-term energy needs?

The government needs to step up as an active player now and find long-term energy solutions for Norman Wells. We must fully support the residents’ efforts to convert sustainable energy sources like biomass, hydro or solar power. We need to do this before our people go south or go broke. I’m looking for satisfaction.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment should modify its management of student loans to ensure that identification of student loans due for repayment does not rely solely on students' notification or manual review by the officials. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment considers options to ensure that Senior Home Heating Subsidy recipients have the opportunity to use their fuel subsidy amount, and that the department presents needs options to the Standing Committee on Social Programs within the 2013-2014 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Liquor Act to enable Sahtu communities to request that the Minister hold a plebiscite to determine the wish of voters in those communities respecting the limitations of sale of liquor by a liquor store in the Sahtu communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. When most people talk about the price of liquor, they mean the price of a bottle of something at the store. Some of them are even run by our own government.

When we talk about it as we do as MLAs every single day, we talk about the real price, the price of our people through lost opportunities and even suffering. It is the price to our health system, to our education, to the courts and corrections. We may be talking about hundreds of millions of dollars. I don’t think Finance has added that up for us. I want to have a final view of those costs, all...

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on June 6, 2013, it shall be adjourned until Thursday, October 17, 2013;

AND FURTHER, that any time prior to October 17, 2013, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been...