Tom Beaulieu

I would like to ask the Minister what process, I guess, we would have to do if we decided that there was no way that we were going to be able to pass legislation within this time frame and then the federal government moves to decriminalize the legislation. If the federal government continues on with that, at this point, would this government actually actively try to decriminalize marijuana, too? I am curious to know if that could something that could be done quickly or if that process would be just as slow as actually passing the legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Finance on cannabis. I would like to ask the Minister: what is going to occur if the federal government is not able to pass legislation as of July 1st? It appears at this point like that is not going to be possible. I would like to know what the action plan for our government would be if that was to occur. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am hoping that, with the strategy for the department to train, increase capacity, and create jobs for some of the small communities, there is definitely going to be a need for daycares, and I guess my question is going towards whether or not there is going to be an easy place to educate the daycare operators. I am wondering if the Minister could maybe advise me: I do not think we have to be too specific, but if he just generally has the knowledge on, say, for example, if we were to restart the daycare in Lutselk'e, where would the daycare operators...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am on page 43, the third item down, healthy food for children and youth. It talks about "nutritious food to support breakfast, snack, or lunch programs." I would like to ask the Minister if there are some active allyearlong breakfast programs in any of the schools. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am on page 42 in the descriptions. I see an increase in the early childhood worker scholarship of more than double the budget. I would like to ask the Minister what type of uptake there is for that program.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am looking at page 38, near the bottom of the page, Indigenous languages broadcasting, and also I see a bit of an increase, almost $100,000, in that area. A little bit of background of we are facing: some of the communities that I represent are not getting the broadcasts from the Aboriginallanguage radio station, CKLB. I am wondering if this money is money that will be used with the intent of bringing some broadcasting back into the communities. I have one community where there is no broadcasting at all, of any sort of radio, because there is something...

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the number one issue facing small communities is the lack of employment. That means there are many opportunities for the government to create jobs within our small communities. Job creation must be strategic, and can contribute to the GNWT's financial health as well as to our communities. If there is one thing we have to do in the life of the 18th Assembly, it is to create jobs where jobs are needed most. Mr. Speaker, jobs in our small communities will have a positive impact on all communities in the NWT, including Yellowknife and the regional centres.

When...

I would like to ask the Minister what action his government would take, or this government would take, if the federal government recognized that they were not able to pass legislation and decided to decriminalize marijuana by July 1st?

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Kate Powell, principal from Deninu School in Fort Resolution. I would also like to recognize my new CA, Pascal Erasmus, who is in the gallery today. I would like to recognize Mero Sundberg, interpreter from Detah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, just on a bit of clarification I am seeking overall: I needed to ask the Minister about early childhood development education, so I am talking about early childhood development educators. Aside from the grant, is there anything in this particular activity where the money is used to educate early childhood development workers? Thank you, Mr. Chair.