Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d just like to note for the record that there was no consultation with the rural and remote communities, the Aboriginal governments. The consultation process in which the majority of the Members you talk about are Aboriginal by way of the Rangers program. I think it’s important to realize that that level of government has not been consulted. The only consultation that has taken place was here in Yellowknife. I think it’s important that any legislation that comes through this House, every effort should be made to consult with all residents of the Northwest Territories and not only here in Yellowknife.

I think because of that, that’s why we requested that you do implement the hardship clause, because the Rangers in our communities do play a very important role not only in the areas of being Rangers, but they are the key employers or employees in our communities that operate the municipal governments. They also serve in the different fields such as housing maintainers. I think

because of the importance of these individuals in a lot of our communities, that if they happen to leave for a long period of time, it could have a major implication on the operation and maintenance of community delivered programs and services. That’s why I insisted that there has to be a hardship clause in there, to ensure that we do allow for the communities and the individuals to realize that you have an important role in both fields, not only as a Ranger but as a community provider by way of programs and services that we depend on.

Again, I’d just like to note for the record that there was no consultation with First Nations governments, yet we hear a lot about groups or percentage of groups in the Northwest Territories that haven’t been consulted. In this case it’s a good illustration of how we forgot about the 50 percent of the population that we represent and only consultation taking place here in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’d like to ask the Minister, would you consider looking at the type of contracts that are in place either as an hourly-based contract, a monthly contract, and why is it that you’d have these different types of contracts. Is there a possibility of streamlining the contracts so they are being funded to do the job they have to do, and they’re not being simply on an as-and-when basis, and that you’d consider a universal contracting system to maintain the highways of the Northwest Territories using a specific means of paying for the services for those contracts?

Mr. Speaker, I like what I hear from the Minister, because I think it is time that we did review either the maintenance contracts or the maintenance practices that are being used and what type of equipment is being used or what type of equipment is not being used, and what type of materials are being used to apply to resurface the highway or try to maintain the surface on that highway.

I’d like to ask the Minister how soon can you investigate the condition of the roads and also the

contracts that are in place and also the method that’s being used to maintain those highways.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation in regard to the issues I raised in regard to road conditions, and more importantly, the Dempster Highway. It seems like they’ve been either very poorly maintained or the budget’s been cut. I’d like to ask the Minister exactly what is the reason that we’re seeing such a high number or the impact on maintaining highways. Has there been a decision in the department either to cut back on maintenance, or has there been a change by way of contracting practices, or is it because the number of roads that we are maintaining and not putting as much money as we need to maintain the roads and also realizing the condition we’re under? I’d like to ask the Minister what has changed that is causing the maintenance of the highways in the Northwest Territories to decline to the point where people are concerned with regard to the conditions of those roads and the public safety aspect of driving those roads and the conditions that they’re in.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the break from last session a lot of issues have come up in talking with my constituents in my region. It’s the social and economic situation we find ourselves, especially for people looking for work. The people are struggling just to make ends meet.

The cost of gas in Tsiigehtchic is $1.71 a litre, yet that gas is subsidized by the Government of the Northwest Territories through petroleum products.

The road conditions and conditions of the Dempster Highway, which is now being called the Dumpster Highway because of the number of potholes on that road, is depreciating, and people are wondering what is being done by this government to maintain our infrastructure and make sure it is safe for the travelling public.

The issue of old age security. The elders that I’ve spoken to are seeing a very major decline in their old age pensions and they’re wondering why that is. They already have a fixed income, and to have it cut even further is affecting their ability to maintain their lifestyle and their means they need to sustain themselves.

I also think it’s important to realize that communities are requesting more involvement from the government to take over local housing authorities, which communities such as Tsiigehtchic still don’t have. We have programs and services being delivered out of our communities, such as mental health and addictions, yet today those agreements haven’t been changed in 10 years and some of those people are making less than people in similar fields as government employees.

The big issue that people are having is the changes to regulations by this government, especially when it comes to home heating and having to replace your fuel tanks to sustain your home. In some cases this costs well over $1,500 and a lot of people don’t have that.

The big issue that came out was the question of mould in our housing and the health of the people

that reside in those public housing units, the effect of mould on the individuals.

The big issue that a lot of people are having is that they’re struggling to get into housing, and yet there still remains a lot of vacant units in our communities which are not being used.

Lastly, there are questions about the Elders on the Land Program to ensure the elders are able to sustain themselves through cultural means by way of having the On the Land Program that they had to ensure they have the ability to continue that practice. These are some of the areas that we will be dealing with over the next week.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the residents of the Mackenzie Delta, people of the Northwest Territories, for the privilege of serving them for 16 years as their MLA, as a Member of this Legislative Assembly, with the support of our elders, community leaders, our youth, and more importantly, the community membership, my constituency assistants, Sue Ellen Wilson, Liz Wright, Eugene Pascal, and my family and children. In 16 years, Mr. Speaker, a lot of work and effort and a lot of great people I had an opportunity to work with and serve in this Legislative Assembly from the 13

th

Assembly to today.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly and all the departments in the Government of the Northwest Territories that I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years.

I would like to also announce today that I will not be running in the fall election, for health reasons and for the stress of working in a fish bowl for 16 years...

---Laughter

...and spending more time with my family and friends. Also the important elements of dealing with those issues that I feel quite strongly about, especially fighting for the little people out there, people are struggling, and more importantly, to work for the important issues for the people of the Northwest Territories, the Mackenzie Delta and to ensure that we are treating our people fairly throughout the Northwest Territories.

I want to give an opportunity to the Mackenzie Delta riding and individuals who may want to put their names forward, ample time so that they can do so.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank yourself, your staff and Members of the 16

th

Assembly for the

opportunity of serving with you. Mahsi cho.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Committee Report 5-16(6), Report on the Review of the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, and would like to report progress with three motions being adopted, and that Committee Report 5-16(6) is concluded. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

With that, what is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

The motion is in order. To the motion.