Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleague Mr. Bouchard, today is an opportunity for me to say thank you to all the firefighters who kept us safe this summer, those who kept us safe during one of the worst fire seasons in over 30 years. I join many, many other NWT residents in thanking firefighters, firefighters from the NWT, from across Canada, and from our northern neighbours, Yukon and Alaska, who battled the hundreds of fires that burned in our territory this past summer, especially in the North and South Slave.

Firefighters are on call for us 24/7, ready and willing to do dangerous work if needed, and these men and women are trained and prepared for action, prepared for action at a moment’s notice. They have specialized skills and knowledge that enables them to do an outstanding job often in difficult weather and in treacherous locations. I know this summer it was extremely warm. They put life and limb at risk to keep us safe and to keep our communities, our homes and our businesses safe.

But not only were firefighters hard at work this summer fighting fires, but many other GNWT personnel were working hard, as well, dealing with the impacts of the fires. ENR, DOT, MACA, all three

departments were especially involved in fighting the fires, keeping the public safe, monitoring road conditions and assisting communities when fires threatened.

This past fire season was a situation that could not be predicted and one that is, all being well, not the norm. Now that it’s over, like my colleague Mr. Nadli, I can only hope that a long, hard introspection takes place and evaluation of every action and non-action taken during the 2014 fire season. There were lessons to be learned by one and all, and we need to examine the circumstances and learn the lessons. If a comprehensive analysis is done, policies and processes adjusted, we will be better prepared should another disastrous fire season hit us again.

Today I recognize and honour all NWT emergency personnel as they go about their jobs. To each and every one I say thank you for protecting us, thank you for taking risks for us, thank you for the job you do every day. To my colleagues, as you return to your communities over the next few days and weeks, take the time to search out and visit your local firefighters, and if you haven’t done so already, please thank them personally.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

[English translation not provided.]

I’ve been practicing. Mr. Speaker, on February 5th of this year the Finance Minister proclaimed an aggressive yet ambitious target to attract 2,000 new residents to the NWT. Our most current publication from the Bureau of Stats says the NWT’s population fell by 218 persons. Now, that is a negative 10 percent shortfall on that particular number.

In the Finance Minister’s words on February 6th ,

again, it said our fiscal future is closely linked to economic prospects and healthy population growth. The Minister continues to go on by saying we are also aware the risk of low economic growth and declining population poses on the territorial financing grant. Furthermore, he continues by saying the most effective way we can grow our revenues is to grow our economy and our population.

I can continue to quote the Finance Minister at length, but the fact is we’re not growing our population. If this government was serious and committed to growing our population, it’s time to be bold yet responsible. I’d like the government to consider ideas like this.

If this government committed today by putting two teachers in every school across the NWT, what would that do? Well, that would do wonders for

education. It would do wonders for population growth. It would do amazing things for community vitality, every single community.

Now, a fiscally responsible person would easily and quickly say, where’s the money going to come from? Well, that would be a very good question. I estimate that if we put about approximately 70 new teachers on the ground, that would cost us approximately $7 million. If each teacher brought a spouse, two children, as a matter of fact, the net federal transfer would cover that cost.

In comparison to the fires this summer at a million dollars a day, that $7 million cost to cover those teachers would equal seven days of firefighting. Let’s put money out there that really means something and does something, so if you have a school in Paulatuk, you have a school in Fort Good Hope, give them two new teachers, put money in that small community. It’s a real resource to help our kids, help our families, help our communities. Those people spend real money. That real money will help revitalize that community and it will continue and continue. This is called genuine investment. So, if we want to support our communities, it’s time to support the base, we support the foundation as we build a future for everyone.

I’ll have questions later for the Minister of Finance, who made those bold statements, to find out where we are on this prospect of attracting 2,000 new people, because I can tell you today we’re already behind on that target. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a constituent of the Great Slave riding and the president of the UNW, Mr. Todd Parsons.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a constituent of Yellowknife South, Gayla Thunstrom, the first vice-president of the Union of Northern Workers; and also Jack Bourassa, regional executive vice-president north with the Public Service Alliance of Canada. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize one of the members of the union contingent, as well, Ms. Lauraine Armstrong, a family friend and a berry picking and swimming companion of my wife. Thank you.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a delegation in the gallery. First I’d like to recognize NWTTA president Gayla Meredith here with us today, and also executive director Dave Roebuck that’s here with us, as well, from the NWTTA. Also, we have two distinguished guests from the communities of Gameti and Whati and they’re a part of the MACA School of Community Government law course they’re taking. I’d just like to recognize Judal Dominicata, SAO of Gameti and also Lisa Nitsiza, SAO trainee in Whati. Welcome to the gallery. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome constituent Val Robertson to the gallery, as well as Mr. Sonny Greenland to the gallery, and Mr. Lafferty pointed them out before, but there were a number of people here from the Community Management and Finance Training Program. I believe they’ve all left, but I’ll read their names off so they’re on the record: Judal Dominicata from Gameti, Dennis Buboire from MACA in Fort Simpson, Chris Chai from the Hamlet of Tulita, Lisa Nitsiza from the Government of Whati, Judi Wall from the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok, Alison Brown, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs in Fort Simpson, Patricia Modeste from Deline, Mary Rose Yukon from Deline, John Yukon from Deline, Jodie Doctor from the Community of Deline and Valene Kenny from the community of Deline. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr.

Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr.

Speaker. I just want to welcome Mr. Ken Stewart of Fort Simpson to the gallery. It’s great to see you in the gallery, and hopefully you enjoyed the Members’ statements and Ministers’ statements. Thank you very much. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr.

Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to

welcome all the residents of Weledeh that are in the House today, I know there are many. I’d like to mention in particular Ms. Jennifer Young, co-founder of Face2Face, a local organization that helped the House recognize Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, as mentioned earlier, which was yesterday. As a result, all the Members are wearing pins that recognize that day. Ms. Young I know has requested that all MLAs wear the pins for the rest of October. In fact, they are planning an event tonight at the Yellowknife River at seven o’clock and all Members are invited to join that.

I’d also like to welcome to the House Frank Walsh, the second vice-president of the Union of Northern Workers executive, as well as regional vice-president for North Slave, Chris Potyok, if I got his name pronunciation correct there.

The Union of Northern Workers executive are here in Yellowknife to attend the UNW’s 16th triennial

convention that starts tomorrow and goes through Sunday. Welcome to Yellowknife; welcome to the House. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr.

Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to

recognize a constituent from back home, Mr. Sonny Greenland. Welcome to the House.

I’d also like to recognize Ms. Val Robertson, who is also from Inuvik and does a lot of work over at the school and for the UNW.

I’d also like to recognize all the UNW members and all members from the Northern Territory Federation of Labour. Welcome to the House, and I hope you enjoy the proceedings this afternoon. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Ms.

Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would

like to welcome the executive of the Union of Northern Workers who are here for their convention, and I wish them well in their convention in the next couple of days.

I specifically want to recognize two constituents of Frame Lake, Mr. Ivan Landry, who is the regional vice-president Kimberlite; and Ms. Miriam Gordon, who is equity vice-president for the UNW. Thank you.