Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my questions here, this is directed to the Minister of Infrastructure. As mentioned in my statement, the Department of Infrastructure and the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated achieved a signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to undertake jointly the environmental assessment and, in the process, the establishment of a working group. My first question to the Minister: would the Minister support a youth appointment to the working group? Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. I, too, agree with the motion. I agree with all of the comments from my previous colleagues' statements here. I just wanted to add to this. One of the additional assets that is overlooked by the previous statements is the ability to speak the native language with a lot of the elders and residents in our respective ridings, so that should be recognized, as well. It just makes communication and explanation to a medical assistant or a program assistant that much easier in getting the message of what can be done by our office to the constituents who brought their issues...

Thanks to the Minister for paying that respect to that profession and the staff, more importantly in the smaller communities. Would the Minister also commit to sharing at the regional level or the community level the days set aside within the remaining period of this month to recognize the social workers in the smaller communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is our last winter sitting with the budget and legislation deliberations, Mr. Speaker, as we heard from yesterday's retirement announcement from the Honorable Finance Minster R.C. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, as a first-term Member of this institution, I certainly witnessed many sacrifices made by public officials, endless time away from home, families, friends, for contributions in making a difference to this territory.

Given my experiences on how government operates and the many challenging decisions that must be made in achieving prosperity in all areas such as high cost...

Thanks to the Minister for that statement. It is very comforting to know that the endless hours and the challenges this workforce and this staff are doing would be recognized. My next question, then, Mr. Speaker: what advertising for this profession is being done, at the high school level or at the workforce level, to attract that profession?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. March is National Social Work Month. Social workers play a vital role in our communities by supporting children and families. The inspiration this profession brings to our families is always and will always be recognized. Therefore, my first question to the Minister of Health is: what recognition to commemorate his staff is the department doing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Premier for that information. That gives us some scheduling and timelines in the remaining term of this government to take advantage of setting this milestone by the community. My third question here, Mr. Speaker, is: how will this MOU change the relationship between the GNWT and the Deline Got'ine Government?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my statement here to the Premier, my first question relates to the Deline Got'ine Government arrangement or agreement. What is the status of the bilateral MOU between the GNWT and the Deline Got'ine Government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Premier for that reply. My last question: it has been two-and-a-half years since the Deline agreement was signed, and it is the first one out of our 33 communities for the territory. Can the Premier provide examples of some of the work currently going on between the Deline Got'ine Government and the GNWT which supports the continuing evolution of the Deline Got'ine Government? Mahsi.

Thanks to the Premier for that information. My next question is: when will the parties meet and sign the MOU?