Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement today is in regard to the state of education in our small communities. Mind you, what I have noted is that it is almost taboo to discuss education on a public level in our communities. Public meetings to discuss education and any initiatives have not been initiated by the school, the school boards, nor by the divisional education councils that represent the schools throughout the region.

No one seems to mind that the attendance rates are dropping, the graduation rates are not flourishing as they should be, and the fact that the academic level of education has gone by the wayside. Couple this with the fact that our schools have had to lay off good quality teachers. It is alarming that no one wants to make an issue of what can be deemed a crisis situation regarding the state of education in our small communities.

I would like to draw your attention to a Department of Education, Culture and Employment document entitled "Education Renewal and Innovation Framework, Directions for Change." It is a three-year education renewal action plan created in 2015 by the department. The document goes on to state, "The current approach to education is not producing the overall levels of student achievement that we need and should reasonably expect for the investments that are being made." The document further states, "This renewal is critical to developing the capable citizens the Northwest Territories needs."

The document presents nine major action plan commitments that the Government of the Northwest Territories will ensure to undertake to improve the quality of education in our communities. It is a very bold and determined document. Unfortunately, this is the first time I have seen the document, and it is now 2019, four years later. I would further be dismayed, and rightly so, if the district education councils have not seen or had any chance to action the initiatives outlined in the Renewal Action Plan.

It is not clear if people in the communities were consulted or presented with the action plan. Had this happened, there certainly would have been measurable outcomes and the GNWT would have been on the hook to see these commitments through. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

I'll be very quick, Mr. Speaker. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two of the priorities of this Assembly are to settle and implement treaty, land, resources, and self-government agreements, and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. I believe these are the two most important priorities of this assembly, as they go to the very heart of what is the role of the GNWT and what is the future role of this House.

When all of us as new MLAs, before breaking off into Cabinet and Regular Members, sat with Indigenous leaders, we repeatedly heard that the GNWT was a barrier at negotiating tables. I have no doubt this is true. Despite the fact that previous Assemblies also prioritized settling land rights agreements, we became a barrier at the table. This shows there is a disconnect between what is said and what is done.

That is one of the most rampant issues in our politics. We always shy away from framing the issues that are divisive. As such, no MLA in this Assembly will ever say they don't want to implement land rights and self-government agreements. Yet, if everyone agrees, that means we are asking the wrong question. The first and most important question we must ask ourselves is if we as government are willing to give up control to Indigenous governments.

Any change in circumstances, I would argue, is human nature. It causes an initial defensive reaction, especially a change that results in having less control. Yet settling outstanding land rights and self-government agreements is not a matter of "if"; it is a matter of "when." It is inevitable for this territory, and the question we must ask ourselves is: are we going to make any progress on these files or are we going to keep being a barrier at the table?

The current unsettled state of affairs and uncertainty benefits no one. It causes uncertainty in our economy and it strains our relationships with Indigenous governments. Canada's Collaborative Self-Government Fiscal Policy means there is money ready for our Indigenous governments to exercise their right to govern, yet that money is waiting for us to sign self-government agreements. It is waiting for us in his House to be bold and to take the very difficult step to give up power that rightly belongs to our Indigenous governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Yesterday I spoke in my language. We had difficulties with equipment yesterday, and there is a lot of complaint in the communities regarding this little mishap yesterday. Also, I'd like to make a comment... [End of translation] ... conversation about housing. There are a lot of issues and challenges with housing in the Northwest Territories. The policy simply is not meeting the needs of our people.

In my community of Behchoko there are more than 40 units that are boarded up. Some are ready for demolition, some are burnt, and some need major renovations. None of these units are liveable at this time, not to mention that they're an eyesore in my community. The people who live there now are homeless or couch surfing in the community.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to focus on the burnt units. None of them had fire insurance when they burned down. I had inquired numerous times, Mr. Speaker, about solutions for these burnt units. I have been told over and over that, because tenants did not have fire insurance, they do not qualify for another unit or renovation.

A number of things concern me about this situation. First and foremost, why did we ever transfer brand-new units to clients without housing insurance? Second, these clients are vulnerable citizens, people living in poverty, elders with limited income or pension. Why didn't the NWT Housing Corporation consider an agreement for house insurance with these vulnerable clients? Furthermore, these units have since been left in a state of demise in the community, some of them for more than 10 or 15 years. This is not only an eyesore, but, I'm sure, dangerous in the community.

Mr. Speaker, these policies are faulty and, as a result, families are left homeless. They cannot afford renovations or new housing and are longer able to access public housing. I believe the goal of the NWT Housing Corporation is to provide safe, affordable, and adequate housing for residents of the Northwest Territories in situations such as this one. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Masi.

---Unanimous consent granted

As I stated, Mr. Speaker, situations such as this one could be avoided or resolved if the policies that are in place were reasonable and did not create barriers for some of our most vulnerable citizens. I have followed up on these issues on behalf of my constituents and, to this point, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has not been able to propose a reasonable solution, and that is not acceptable for my communities. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. James Gerard Fradsham left behind an incredible legacy of family, humour, compassion, and friendship across the NWT. I had the pleasure of knowing him as Gerard.

Gerard was born on July 25, 1955, in St. John's, Newfoundland. It was there he grew up with 10 brothers and sisters. He would often tell stories of Signal Hill and the Battery. He always wanted to go back to visit, but life seemed to get in the way. There were times that you would find him in his family home on Google Maps, showing everybody who would look where he used to live.

In the 1970s, his family uprooted and moved to Frobisher Bay; Iqaluit, nowadays. From there, Gerard traveled across the North and obtained his ticket to become a plumber and oil burner mechanic. Through these travels, he met a lot of good friends and his soulmate, who passed away earlier this year.

Gerard was known for being kind-hearted, generous, strong, and determined. His family and friends always knew that, if they needed him, he would always be there in a heartbeat. He strived to be the best father and friend he could be for everyone. Everyone who knew Gerard has countless memories of him; some happy, some sad, some scary, and some humorous. These stories of him will be with us forever, keeping his memory alive.

He used to love to go fishing, camping, rides in the side-by-side, playing crib, dice, watching movies, and reading tour things from Facebook. He had passion about the education system and making sure his children were making positive choices.

I'd like to share what his youngest son Colin's words were: "When I think of my dad, I think about all the lives he touched, the different cultures and communities he embraced with affection, passion, and determination. I think about his need to repair everything he saw, like an inner nature that drove him. His stern kindness, deadly humour, and never-quit attitude are all traits I strive for every day and I hope to pass down to pass down to my children, not just from my father, but my mother, as well."

Gerard lost the battle with lung cancer on November 15, 2019, at 9:43. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, his sisters, and a couple of brothers, nieces, and nephews, and all of his friends. He is preceded by his wife, his parents, his brothers, and a couple of close brothers-in-law. His daughter, Laurie, said in his eulogy: "I can see him crossing that bridge he always talked about and being greeted by all those friends and family members who are waiting for him, who went before him."

The Fradsham family would like to thank everybody for their loving support and prayers during their time of sorrow. They appreciate everyone who was able to attend his celebration of life in Fort Smith. As well, they would like to thank all the medical staff here in the North and in Edmonton, Alberta, who helped with their father throughout his journey.

Mr. Speaker, he was dearly loved, and we will miss him, his knowledge, and guidance. Rest in peace and know that your children and grandchildren will be fine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Item 4, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Members, I would like to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts, the Information and Privacy Commissioner for the NWT. Ms. Keenan Bengts is here for the tabling of her annual report. Welcome, Ms. Keenan Bengts.

Also, Members, I would like to draw your attention to the visitors' gallery and the Chief Electoral Officer of the Northwest Territories, Ms. Nicole Latour. She is here to witness the tabling of the official results.

Ms. Latour, I think I can safely speak on behalf of all of the Members when I say that I am pleased with the results of your work. Thank you.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again recognize my neighbour and journalist, Sarah Minogue.

I think they have gone back to school now, but we had students in here today from Kam Lake's Ecole St. Joseph School, who were here to see consensus government in action.

I would like to again recognize Kam Lake Pages here today, both Lana Sanders and Adrienne Lam are grade 9 students at Sir John Franklin High School. Lana is a talented drama student who was in Frozen Jr. this year, and Adrienne is well-known to teachers and classmates alike for her consistently above-90-percent average. Thank you.

Thank you, Member. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize my wife, Bette Lyons. She is here, and she is keeping me fed and the Minister of ECE, as well. We appreciate her showing up in Yellowknife this week. Thank you.

Thank you, Member. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Thank you, Member. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to recognize one of our Pages in the House today, Ms. Brenna Willis, who is a student with Range Lake North, and we are really glad to have her helping us as Page. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize one of the Pages as well, Jaida Charlo, from my riding. I am happy to see her today. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Member. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To attract potential industry and major proponents to invest in the NWT, the Taltson --

Member, sorry, we're on returns to oral questions; we're on oral questions two orders down. Returns to oral questions. Item 6, acknowledgements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.