Robert Hawkins, "Recognition Of Yellowknife Catholic School Board's Approach To Junk Food" on May 30th, 2005

Recognition Of Yellowknife Catholic School Board's Approach To Junk Food
Item 3: Members' Statements

May 30th, 2005

Page 73

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, last session I spoke in this House for a limited junk food policy out there for young students to tap into. I want to take this afternoon's Member's statement to congratulate the Yellowknife Catholic school board for their initiative in dealing with a firm policy that deals directly with solving some of these junk food problems out there.

Although a number of schools in other regions have stepped forward to take on initiatives of this nature, I think the Yellowknife Catholic school board needs an extra applaud of thanks for taking control and removing those low nutritional value foods out of their vending machines. I think that is a fairly significant step and it shows that they have their priorities in order and it shows us that we need to pay attention.

In recent months, more and more emphasis has been placed out there on balanced diet, modernization of the foods are so unhealthy out there. Study after study has shown and beyond that they've scientifically proven all along that mom truly was right, we need to eat good foods to grow up healthy, such as vegetables. I hope the folks up there in the gallery remember to eat your broccoli.

Madam Speaker, I just want to further applaud the Yellowknife Catholic school board for putting their children first by putting quality snacks into their vending machines and removing the garbage ones. Here is a lesson that can be learned by those in the GNWT. Any initiative of this nature can be considered a positive step in promoting healthy living and healthy choices, and beyond that a healthy and active world that people can grow up in. The GNWT has a role here to play. In promoting policies of this nature, we can keep our society much happier and healthier for our future, which affects the bottom line.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I just want to emphasize a couple points. The Government of Nunavut recently held a Drop the Pop campaign and they've basically identified how many students under the age of five will be losing teeth this fall because of their addiction to pop. Finally, one last point I want to say in closing, schools having to fundraise by tapping into the need for junk food is completely wrong, because it's almost like government justifying gaming and social addictions as reasonable efforts to raise revenues. So I think the Catholic school board is certainly taking a smart step forward and I applaud them personally for that. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Recognition Of Yellowknife Catholic School Board's Approach To Junk Food
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 73

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Deh Cho Leadership Meeting In Fort Liard
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 73

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to thank Mr. Menicoche, MLA for Nahendeh, and Premier

Handley, as well as my colleague Sandy Lee for attending the Deh Cho First Nations leadership meeting in Fort Liard. As a Member from the Far North, it was a pleasure to attend the leadership meeting.

Madam Speaker, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian was a very good host and allowed us to make a short speech. Madam Speaker, as the Member for Nunakput, the Mackenzie Valley pipeline is very important to the Beaufort-Delta people. My support for the process was relayed to the Deh Cho First Nations leadership.

Madam Speaker, I was interested in attending the leadership meeting because the Deh Cho First Nations could play a vital role in the proposed pipeline and also the joint process. Although, Madam Speaker, the leadership did not speak openly on the proposed pipeline, I hope the Deh Cho First Nations will take my concerns seriously to move forward on the process of the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I'd just like to thank the grand chief and the chiefs along the valley for their hospitality. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Deh Cho Leadership Meeting In Fort Liard
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 74

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Lee.