Tom Beaulieu

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today in Fort Resolution, I would like to announce that... [Translation ends]

...some MLAs in the first day of sitting to set aside for remembering people in their ridings that have passed away between the sessions of this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the oldest person in Fort Resolution until the day of her passing on January 19, 2011. Victoria “Lidor” Lafferty was born on January 1, 1920, and passed away on January 19, 2011, at the age of 91. Lidor, as she was commonly known, had 12 children, three of which predeceased her, as did her...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the House that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act, and Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Evidence Act, and wishes to report that Bill 14 and Bill 20 are ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

Low employment means less money in the communities. Less money in the communities means that more people are relying on things like income support and pensions and so on, which is spread out among more people. Does the department consider that factor when they’re reviewing the program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Tu Nedhe we have many housing issues but we also have income support issues. The constituents are trying to make ends meet on income support. Today I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Can the Minister tell me when the last time the Income Support Program was evaluated and reviewed in the sense of the effectiveness and delivery of the program?

I understand that the department provides CHAP funding through local wildlife committees. Can the Minister tell me how the allocations are done from community to community?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have questions for the Minister of ITI on the Community Harvesters Assistance Program. Trapping season nears and I have questions for that Minister. Can the Minister tell me what the total CHAP allocation for the NWT is?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was going to ask the Minister whether or not the department took high cost of living into account. I guess the Minister answered that question. I wonder if the Minister takes into account the remoteness or isolation of the community when they’re doing the review.

I think the Minister will agree that there are less viable options for income in the small communities. Will the Minister review the Income Support Program and its delivery and look at the issues that are specific to the rural and remote communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was interesting to me to go and talk to the trappers who were saying that they can’t afford to go trapping. That must be an issue. With the price of furs being unstable and low, will this government look at reviewing this program in the sense of looking at the subsidies for the program?

Can the Minister tell me if there will be an increase in CHAP funding overall for this trapping season that we’re into right now?