Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think I was suggesting that the regional superintendents be dictators. I think we have enough in Yellowknife here to dictate to how the regions are going to run.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That begs the next question. When will we see full transportation authority or services program into the Sahtu and other departments like the Department of Justice in terms of those type of responsibilities coming to the Sahtu region? The Premier has said in the near future; however, I’m looking for more specific timelines to that question. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize a very special person in my life and a big supporter. She is awesome. She is my spouse, Cheryl Bonnetrouge here.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize a huge delegation from Deline on this MACA training. I can see Christine and Jane Modeste. I think I see Greg Bayha. I can’t see further. I am not as tall as I used to be.

---Laughter

I would like to recognize some good people from MACA who are also in this program here and the instructor Judith Knapp who is doing a wonderful job. I think Mrs. Beck is up there, too. I am...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a band called the Bare Naked Ladies sings a song called If I Had a Million Dollars. Mr. Speaker, I always liked the song. Again, I have my own version to share with the House. I performed a version of this song during last year’s budget session. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the rules of this House still do not allow guitars or keyboards or even backup singers to be with me, so you have to bear with me as I read my Sahtu version.

We certainly want to take the jobs out of Yellowknife here. So I want to ask the Premier, again, how will the department programs be coordinating the territorial agendas and also with the regional agendas in terms of having these regional superintendents situated in our regions? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we’re going to be waiting for a long time in the Sahtu in terms of types of superintendents we’re going to have in our region. So anyhow, that’s for another day. I wanted to ask the Premier, will the regional superintendents of the Executive be able to override the deputy ministers in providing directions to other departmental superintendents? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. With the appointment of the regional superintendents of the Executive, how much autonomy will the Sahtu region now have to conduct its own affairs? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the news I read that the North of 60, there was a territorial challenge by the Nunavut government called, Drop the Pop campaign that will begin on March 27th to March 31st. It is challenging the Yukon government, the territorial government here in the Northwest Territories and also the Nunavut government. It is based on a creative concept in Nunavut. It is about having the communities and the schools avoid drinking pop for one full week. Again, this challenge went out to the two other territories. It is to create awareness for the schools in the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for answering my frustrating questions. I'm beginning to understand and I hope to see in the future of this government give some priority to some of these communities that we represent as MLAs, because these questions here will be answered. We have to have some answers, as MLAs, to our people in the communities. I'm not here to defend government in terms of their spending. So I'm asking these needs in our communities. When you have all these services it's okay, but when you don't have them, that's when we bring up our concerns. So I'm going...

Is this funding ongoing funding? I know the Minister said a one-time pilot project. Is this funding available next year and the year after? Thank you.