This is page numbers 1859 – 1898 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was work.

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Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to also send out my happy Valentine’s Day to the people. Somebody sent me a note here and it says, “I love you.” Whoever that is…(inaudible)…

---Laughter

…(inaudible)…also to my lovely wife, and I certainly send my love out to the people in the Sahtu, especially people from the Sahtu who are in the gallery and are friends. I want to say that.

I want to get on with my Member’s statement now after all these heartfelt sentiments I’ve said.

Keeping jobs in the North is my concern today. Industry and the Government of the Northwest Territories signs economic agreements before the production phase of any mining projects. Industry

agrees to use their best efforts to define priorities and keeping employment targets. Sadly, these targets fail to be met. We hear many explanations: lack of skilled workers, people unwilling to relocate to the Northwest Territories, addictions limit workers’ employability. However, only two mines include the Sahtu in worker points of pickup. People in the Sahtu have to travel to Deline or Norman Wells, if not Inuvik or Yellowknife, in order to work at one of the diamond mines. Oil and gas exploration is taking place in the Sahtu, but in the meantime, people have to work and need to work. They need to develop skills and experience so they can benefit from future opportunities closer to home.

Engagement with industry is, so far, the way we have chosen to hold mines accountable to the socio-economic agreements. Government makes an effort to work with industry that, in turn, has some expectations from this government. There are many areas where we can work as government with industry, to increase the presence of northern hire. We need to invest in a skilled workforce. If someone can’t get hired because of addictions, that person needs assessable treatment options. We need to teach life skills and help people experience a better, cleaner way to live. We need to reduce the cost of living to make the Northwest Territories a more attractive place to live and work. We need good employment incentives. The Canol shale oil play can be an economic game changer.

How do we hold industry to account for the ways they work with people on our land? How do we ensure we get the most of the socio-economic agreements and negotiate in the future by making these agreements work today? We need to work for a common goal and find the best solution for people and industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to wish everybody a happy Valentine’s Day here today, as well out in the Northwest Territories. I think we all need to appreciate our family and friends out there. One of the things that’s most difficult is when we have those families and friends who have passed away, and we’ve had a few people in Hay River the last while I’d like to mention.

Vern Tordoff, a long-term town councillor who passed away during Christmas. He will be missed.

Delphine McKay, a long-term resident of Hay River who helped out lots in the school. She will definitely be missed.

Mr. Bill Parker, who’s in a race car in the big racetrack in the sky right now hopefully tuning up his engines, helping the good Lord up there.

I think this is the best time when we need to thank our families and friends, and think of those people who have gone by. I think back of Ed Barnhart, a friend of mine who worked for me and this was his birthday.

As we open up our hearts, I’d like to challenge my colleagues here. February is Heart and Stroke Month and I’d like to challenge them. I have made a $100 donation and I’d like to challenge them to do the same.

I’d like to also give a big thanks to the Pages from Hay River North who were here this week: Grace Osted and Novie Bordey. I’d like to thank them for their hard work today and during this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to wish everyone in the Mackenzie Delta a happy Valentine’s Day, and also to all my colleagues here, everybody who’s gathered.

The 2013-14 budget anticipates reduced staff in the Beaufort-Delta Education Council. Right now funding to our education council is based on the number of students expected to enroll in school, not on the needs of children or the hardworking teachers and administrators.

My constituents in Aklavik and Fort McPherson tell me that they need more teachers. In Tsiigehtchic there is only one teacher for up to three grades.

There are serious gaps in the student achievement between small communities and regional centres. There’s less structure for early childhood development that paves the way for learning at school. If anything, children in our communities need more one-on-one support with their teachers.

Even a child who grows up in a healthy, stimulating environment often needs extra help to succeed. School can be a positive, motivating experience for children when teachers have time and resources that they need. A manageable workload also helps attract talented professionals to our small communities, exactly where the 17th Assembly

wants to increase a number of positions.

The funding formula for education councils fails to recognize the teacher in Tsiigehtchic who’s managing three grades. We really need to look at how we support the schools in our hamlets and villages. As a government, we may not be able to put state-of-the-art facilities in each of the 33

communities, but all the students in the Northwest Territories deserve an equal opportunity to succeed. We should staff our schools in a way that gives our future children a chance to succeed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Colleagues, I’d like to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Peter Kujawinski, Consul General of the United States of America for Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. Peter is a career American diplomat who joined the state department in 1998. His previous assignments include postings to U.S. embassies in France and Israel. He also was posted to the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Security Council in New York. His most recent assignment was to the U.S. Embassy in Haiti. He has worked as a political counsellor and coordinator of U.S. Assistance, promoting governance and rule of law. Peter is doing his first official visit to the Northwest Territories, and we would like to welcome the Consul General of the United States of America, Mr. Peter Kujawinski.

---Applause

He is quite the dog musher. We were out dog mushing yesterday. We had a good time last night.

I would also like to welcome Sheila Nasogaluak from Inuvik. Welcome to the House, Sheila.

Mr. Abernethy.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

I have a number of people I would like to recognize. First I would like to recognize Charlene Doolittle, who is the new executive director of legal aid. Charlene is the first Aboriginal woman to hold the position and lives here in Yellowknife.

I would also like to recognize our court workers who are really the heart and soul of the Aboriginal Court Worker Program. They are Val Watsyk from Yellowknife, Sally Card from Yellowknife, Daphne Lafferty from Fort Good Hope, Maureen Maurice from Hay River, Pat Waugh from Fort Simpson, Sheila Nasogaluak from Inuvik, Shari Olsen from Fort Smith and Rose Lamouelle from Behchoko. Through you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank each of these individuals for all that they do for the people of the Northwest Territories. Their hard work, commitment and dedication are truly appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. Lafferty.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

[English translation not provided.]

I would just like to recognize Rose Lamouelle, who is here with us as well, one of the greatest court workers.

---Laughter

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Mr. Miltenberger.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I, as well, would like to recognize one of the hardworking court workers and that would be Shari Olsen from Fort Smith. I welcome her to the Assembly. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. McLeod.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I would like to welcome Sheila Nasogaluak, a constituent of Inuvik Twin Lakes, I believe. Welcome to the gallery. And to all the court workers up there, welcome

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a first for me on Valentine’s Day to be able to recognize the lucky guy who has been married to me for 35 years. I would like to recognize my husband, Rick Groenewegen, in the gallery today and also recognize Maureen Maurice, our court worker from Hay River. Welcome.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dolynny.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Daryl Dolynny

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize, through you, a person from Range Lake who spends some time in this House here and who works for the protocol office. That is the lovely Carmen Moore. Thank you very much. And also, Consul General, welcome to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Mr. Hawkins.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use the occasion, as well, to recognize both Val Watsyk and Shari Olsen. They are two friends of mine who have grown up in the South Slave for many years. As well, I would like to take the opportunity to recognize Pat Waugh, who I have known for a long time. As well, welcome to all the court workers. Thank you for your work.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Menicoche.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to recognize… Firstly, I will go with the court workers, another one of the greatest and hardworking court workers is Mr. Pat Waugh from Fort Simpson, and also welcome Ms. Val Watsyk, a former resident of Fort Simpson. I see in the gallery, as well, Ms. Melaw Nakehk’o. It

gives me great pleasure to welcome Nahanni Butte students in the gallery here today. I would like to recognize the chaperones, Mr. Mike Matou, Ms. Tammy Matou and Joe Ekotla and the students individually, if you will bear with me colleagues, Kwinlin Matou, Riley Matou, Nathan Betsaka, Dianna Vital, Destiny Ekotla, Shawn Ekotla and welcome to Sydney Hope. Thank you very much for coming. I hope you enjoy the deliberations today. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Moses.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Ms. Charlene Doolittle, who has been a really good friend and also a former participant on the Death Race Team that we did down in Grande Cache. Welcome, and I congratulate you on your new position. I also would like to recognize Sheila Nasogaluak, who I have done work with on the interagency committee in Inuvik. She does a really great job and is a great ambassador for Inuvik. I would also like to recognize Shari Olsen, who I have known over the years through the recreation fields; Ms. Melaw Nakehk’o, who is a preserver of our culture and our traditions and is doing a great job. I would also like to welcome the Aboriginal court workers that are here with us today and the Consul General. Welcome, and enjoy the afternoon. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Mr. Bouchard.