Norman Yakeleya

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister consider looking at a controlled ban on the sale of overproof alcohol in the Northwest Territories, and look at some of the problems that are caused by the sale of overproof alcohol in our communities? Would he consider an all out ban once and for all in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Minister. Are the communities somewhat consulted about how the liquor is sold when it is brought into the communities in terms of the product that is on sale? How are the communities consulted with the sale of alcohol in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two former chiefs, Gerry Cheezie and Richard Edjericon.

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It is a crying shame that in this day and age that we get money in and we want to make differences in the communities, yet the people in the smaller communities are suffering through another dusty summer here. I want to see if the Minister would commit to Cabinet to see if they can get more money into the chipsealing program, so the communities in the Sahtu don't have to wait another two, three, or four years in terms of getting the chipseal program in the communities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In talking about poking holes, I want to ask the Minister of MACA in terms of the dust control programs in the Sahtu communities, specifically the chipsealing programs. In terms of the chipsealing program, can he inform the good citizens of the Sahtu if they have to suffer another year with all the dust that is flying around in our communities and will the elders at least be able to breathe a little easier this summer in Fort Good Hope? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask Minister Roland if he would consider acting on the ban of overproof alcohol in the Northwest Territories, especially in the Sahtu region where there is considerably high concern in two of my communities, and acting on it right away even pending the review of the Liquor Act. This is an urgent problem in the Sahtu region, Mr. Speaker, and we don’t need to wait for consultants to tell us this. Would the Minister consider acting right away on this request? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on my Member’s statement today. My question is to the Minister of Finance. On the sale of alcohol and liquor in the Northwest Territories, specifically the contracted liquor stores, how is the sale of alcohol controlled in the Northwest Territories with the contracted vendors? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s efforts to see if we can get an agreement signed with the Sahtu people. I don’t know the details of how these agreements come about in terms of the Gwich’in situation. I’m asking if the Minister could commit, if this government could commit, to see if that within the five or six months that the agreement can be signed with this government and the Sahtu beneficiaries on chapter 12 of the Sahtu Dene/Metis Land Claim Agreement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For whatever reasons it’s taken us so long for the Sahtu, there was a letter sent to the Aboriginal Affairs department in terms of the Sahtu wanting to enter into an agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories on the economic measures. I guess I would like to ask the Minister to advise us when this letter will be discussed, or if it will be discussed as a Cabinet decision or a Ministerial discussion in terms of when they see light at the end of the day in terms of signing something with the Sahtu beneficiaries. They’re very anxious to move on this and get...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment if he would look into having children who may wish to go out on the land during the spring breaks as part of their educational curriculum so that they are not dinged for missing certain days of the school year, so that is maybe an educational social issue or health issue that is part of the curriculum. Would the Minister commit to look into some type of option that would support this initiative? Mahsi.