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. 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 first time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the Colville Lake Tommy Kochon Airport Team for the 2013 Premier’s Award of Excellence today. The Tommy Kochon Airport was officially opened on October 9, 2012, and was a significant gain for the people in Colville Lake. I applaud the people of Colville Lake and their leaders in their hard work and dedication towards their community. This award is well deserved.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s high time we overhaul our education system in the North. I’m so glad that’s finally happening today. The Minister has done a lot of public consultation that will go on throughout the summer. It is especially important that we listen to the small communities, both parents and leaders.

I want to talk about what is at stake. We’re talking about the future of our children, our future as a territory where our children have the skills and knowledge they will need to live well in this world. Will they have the tools to solve their own problems and create their own future?...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to add my comments to this motion here. It has been a long time coming. From the small communities in the Sahtu and through my experience of being an MLA for the last nine years and my other years as being a chief negotiator in the Sahtu land claim, and also through the self-government framework in our endeavours to become our own government in our own land, not until I became a Member of the Legislative Assembly did I realize the difficulty and the challenges that we had, and I realized the amount of authority that Ottawa has on our resources, our lands...