Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, would the Minister commit to looking at proposing to have a position at the Aurora College institute that promotes and supports community-based social and cultural research? We need a position; we need a staff person at the research centre of excellence in the Northwest Territories, because the Northwest Territories has a lot to offer to the world. We have to get that message to the scientists. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to this government and this Minister in terms of monitoring how these scientists involve and report back to the communities. I want to ask the Minister in terms of how does the community get its needs met in terms of being involved in the research project? I mean you’re going to meet the needs of the scientists and meet the needs of the institutions. How does it meet the needs of the community in terms of implementing their traditional knowledge into a science that is internationally recognized, not just from the scientist but also from the traditional...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize a friend I met the other day, a former Member of the House of Parliament, Mr. Andrew Chatwood. Also sitting with him, his daughter, Susan Chatwood.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on March 15, 2007, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, May 9, 2007;

AND FURTHER that anytime prior to May 9, 2007, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and the 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 a time stated in such notice and shall transact its...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table this document entitled Science Meets Traditional Knowledge, Water and Climate in the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Can the Minister outline the different GNWT programs that support traditional economies?

Can the Minister outline the shares of these programs accessed by residents and organizations of the Sahtu region?

Can the Minister provide the percentage of sales realized by trappers from the Sahtu region through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program (total of over $800,000 for 9,000 NWT pelts sold since January)?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I couldn’t agree more with the Minister. It’s the same with alcohol and drugs. With alcohol and drugs, you have to negotiate. I would encourage the Minister to reconsider bringing the workers into the public service where there is some security and benefits. Pay them for what they are worth in dealing with this serious issue of alcoholism in the Northwest Territories. I would again ask the Minister to really strongly consider bringing these workers into the public service where they are honoured and respected for the work they are doing in our communities...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s been three years that these workers have not had any type of agreement on security. It’s been three years. So what did the government do in the three years to get the parties back on the road and not have our clients shut out and have people go down to other treatment centres? What have they done in three years and not just now when it comes down to the crunch when we are having this discussion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome also people from Nats’ejee K’eh, Dave Poitras, my sister-in-law Cecile Bonnetrouge, Phillip Fabian, Margaret Elleze and Tracy Hoff. I would also like to welcome the members from the union also for being with the membership. Thank you.

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Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the government provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Madam Chair.