Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Shame on this government for not having any plans to create full partners. You talk about partnerships in the regions. You have one in the Beaufort-Delta, they have one in the Deh Cho, North Slave and the South Slave. You have offices there, FMBS have staff there and nothing in the Sahtu there. No roads or access. However, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask when will this government think about creating partnerships with the people in the Sahtu, otherwise there might be some other issues that come up that will question the sincerity of this government in terms of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What are the plans of the Department of Health and Social Services in light of the newspaper or CBC report in terms of Nats’ejee K’eh? Where will people go?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the Minister 100 percent; it starts with us. We have to start taking some ownership and responsibility. That’s what the community has been asking for for a number of years. They want to take the responsibility. We have the Department of Housing to help out. We have the Department of Education that can help out. We are looking at a comprehensive program, not just the individual where they are taking from the community into Nats’ejee K’eh or some other treatment centres…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my statement, I talked about the alcohol and drug issues in the Northwest Territories. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Floyd Roland, in terms of the issue the communities want to look at regarding mobile alcohol and drug treatment programs that are community based, regionally adapted, that would serve not only the individual but the families as a whole to have mobile family treatment centres in our communities. Would the government consider looking at that option in terms of best effectively working with the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recommendation for appointment of Executive Council member.

WHEREAS section 61(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that there shall be an Executive Council of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS Members of the Executive Council are appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of this Legislative Assembly;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nunakput, that this Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh, be appointed to the Executive...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today in my Member's statement I spoke about the hardships facing some of the elders living independently on fixed incomes. It is clear that our policies and programs require adjustments to ensure that elders can live out their lives independently and in the comfort of their own homes. My question today is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Can the Minister tell me, and the House, whether his department is considering adjusting the Seniors' Fuel Subsidy Program to ensure that it captures all the elders who need such a subsidy? Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member’s statement is on the high cost of living for seniors. Throughout the Northwest Territories, there are seniors on a fixed incomes living in their homes struggling to make ends meet. For those elders living in smaller communities who do not live in free social housing, their standards of living is decreasing with each passing day and year. Mr. Speaker, I know of elders in the Sahtu that are forced to save $250 from each of their pension cheques just so that they can afford the cost of heating fuel and electricity in the cold winter months. There...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Minister and deputy minister, in terms of the process. This process here, what you just explained to me, it's so simple that, you know, it could be communicated to the people in the regions in the communities. I know people in the communities in the regions, from the goodness of their heart, uncertainty sometimes comes with seasonal work or things that come up in their lives that they sometimes have to cause a delay in their payment for whatever reason. I guess what I'm asking is that they understand the process well. It does come to a consolidated...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the question I had somewhat was answered, and I'd like to follow up with Minister Roland on this specific bill here, more in line with the debt counselling in terms of how or what type of system process we have in terms of helping people with debt counselling. I know there are many steps to go in terms of trying to get these debts collected. I know some people are good, honest, hard-working people who want to work on this and sometimes there's a blockage or barriers for whatever reason. Does the Government of the Northwest Territories have any form of unit...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize to the Minister. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask the Minister if he would conduct, do a sweep or a survey of all the communities that have elders that are living independently that need help there. He’ll have unanimous support by the elders in terms of this is what we need. It’s not much. We have money. We’re putting our money to other priorities. We’re talking about priorities and there is money in this government. Shift them to the elders first. Do the basic thing. Do the right thing. Help them out for this year. That would eliminate all the stress and...