Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about the saddening treatment that a few of my constituents experience when it comes to mobility access. Recently, I had a constituent in particular who had been lobbying the government for quite some time in an effort to build a wheelchair ramp for their home. This constituent is an elder, and I find it very upsetting that she and others like her struggle to find assistance from our government departments. What was further disturbing was the lack of a department to take the reins and help. There's a lot of back and forth and denial, which really saddened me.

Mr. Speaker, I just find these situations very frustrating because help is within reach for cases like these, but bureaucratic barriers at almost every step of the way seem to prevent assistance from being delivered.

Mr. Speaker, our government departments across the board need to re-evaluate service delivery when it comes to elders, especially elders with mobility issues. It was said dozens of times in past Assemblies that allowing elders to age in place and keeping them in their own homes for as long as possible has been a priority for everybody. However, as it stands today, I am having trouble believing that statement. This is a new government, and we have a new Premier and a new Cabinet. I realize there is room for changes to be made in this area.

Mr. Speaker, mobility issues affect some of the most vulnerable populations we serve. Hopefully, we as a government can deliver top-notch services wherever they are needed, regardless of the department.

Being raised by a great-grandmother, I know if I ever got out of line, she would give me a good ear twisting, a good earful. I would like to speak on behalf of my great-grandmother, and let's get it together and do what we can to help our elders. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Member's Statement on
Eulogy for Stella Krause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Stella Tsetso was born in Fort Simpson, April 27, 1965. Stella was 54 years old when her Creator called her home. Her parents were George Cli and Annie Tsetso.

Stella was raised at two islands in the bush and came to the community of Fort Simpson when she was very young and spent the rest of her life in the service of others.

Stella was a powerful, silent presence of love, compassion, volunteerism, and community connection. Stella lived a simple life and focused primarily on her children and grandchildren. She was extremely close to each of them. Stella continuously gave of her time and volunteered for many events, always humbly giving and donating food of all kinds. Stella never wanted to be recognized or given credit, and she was content to give with a loving heart and always willing to share. Her generosity was felt throughout the Deh Cho. Stella was well-known and had many relatives in Tulita, Nahanni Butte, Jean Marie River, Fort Simpson, Sambaa K'e, and Wrigley.

Stella's legacy is found in her eight children, five girls and three boys, along with her sons-in-law and daughters-in-law. Stella was blessed with 14 beautiful, vibrant grandchildren, whom she loved very deeply.

Stella was not only the foundation of her family but was the cornerstone of each of her children's life. She taught her children the importance of loving, supporting one another through each celebration and the challenges they faced. Stella will be deeply and dearly missed by her long-term and devoted life partner, Randy Hetchenelle.

Stella would be proud to know that, throughout the heartache of losing the pillar of their lives, her children have remained close-knit and extremely supportive, loving one another through this incredible, life-changing event.

Stella was an amazing, talented, traditional sewer and was well-known for all her traditional crafts. Her bead work was impeccable. She took pride sewing for each of her children and grandchildren mukluks, mittens, slippers, hair barrettes, and moosehide gloves, each piece crafted with love and devotion.

With Stella's passing, she left a void that will not be filled. Her legacy of love, friendship, family commitment, and devotion to the family will live on in her children and grandchildren alike.

Lastly, Stella was known for her bannock, a secret family recipe that only her daughter Lisa knows how to make exactly like her mom's.

Thank you, Stella, for being the amazing woman that you were. Thank you for your children and grandchildren. Thank you for leaving your imprint on our lives and our communities. We will sadly miss you forever and always. Thank you.

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

Member's Statement on
Eulogy for Aida Egotak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to pay my respects to Aida Egotak. Thoughts and prayers for her husband, Mark, and her daughter, Helena, and the rest of the family. She passed away in Ulukhaktok. Thoughts and prayers for Elsie and Joseph and the rest of the family.

Also, I would like to pass on regards to Arnold Archie, to my Aunty Barbara, Dorthey, Marth, Elvira, Peter, Bessie, Charlie and Gorge and Wilbert. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Whoever lost loved ones in the past few months, Mr. Speaker, thoughts and prayers are with the families from Nunakput. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. We send our condolences, as well, from the House. Members' statements. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two individuals here; first, my CA, Deborah Richards. She is back, and I am very thankful for having her back here. As well, Father Daley, who has now moved to Yellowknife, but he was our priest in Fort Simpson. Thank you and welcome here.

I'd like to recognize Father Daley. He is one of my constituents or Great Slave. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge my CA, as well, Arlene Hanson. Thank you for being here with us.

Thank you, Member for Boot Lake. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome Sarah and Charles Kalnay-Watson. As a footnote, it is also Charles' 40^th birthday, and he has chosen to spend it here with us. All the best on your 40^th while you jump right in.

Thank you and happy birthday. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize and welcome my constituent assistant, Leanne, I want to say "Jameson," but Campbell. Hopefully, she is enjoying her time here in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Member for Great Slave.

I am not doing very well at this. I would also like to recognize my CA, Colleen O'Connor, and my constituent Cathy Olsen, who are also in the gallery. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Honourable Premier.

The Member for Great Slave took my glory. I want to recognize my CA, Cathy Olsen, who is in the gallery. Thank you

Thank you, Honourable Premier. If we have missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the Chamber. I hope you are enjoying the proceedings. It is always nice to have members in the audience. Thank you. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Oral Questions

Question 1-19(2):
Aurora College Change in Leadership

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Premier since it was she who released the announcement yesterday that the president of Aurora College is no longer. As the Premier is well aware from her history as the Minister, Aurora College has been through frequent leadership changes in the last three years. Now, the president the government chose just a year ago has been shown the door. My question is: why? Mahsi.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do want to take a moment to recognize Dr. Weegar for the service he provided to the Northwest Territories. It was great to have him on board. I am not going to stand here and talk about personnel issues. I think that is inappropriate in the House. What I can say, though, is that we are on track, that we are doing the best that we can to make sure that our polytechnic goes forward and becomes an accredited polytechnic university. Sometimes, you make leadership changes that we do not have notice of. To jump to say that we are showing the door might not be the terms that I would use. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you to the Premier for that response. I believe that the public is owed an explanation of why this man is no longer working for the government after the extensive efforts that were made to recruit him to this job in the first place, so I invite the Premier to consider a more fulsome response.

My second question is about the new college president who has been appointed from within the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Other than his long-standing employment with the government, what are his qualifications for this job?