Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Leon Lafferty is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2003, as MLA for North Slave

Lost his last election, in 2003, with 25% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question 178-14(2): Allocating Resources To The North Slave Region March 30th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister if they do not put it in the June budget, are they willing to do it part way through the rest of the House, when the land claims are finalized with the Dogrib regions? Thank you.

Question 178-14(2): Allocating Resources To The North Slave Region March 30th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Finance, the Honourable Joe Handley. Yesterday, in my Member's statement I pointed out how the North Slave region appears to get short-changed in the budget because it is not recognized as a distinct area.

I would like to ask the Minister if Cabinet is looking at separating the North Slave from other regions in the next budget session in June? Thank you.

Ministerial Visits March 30th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on March 13th and 14th, I had the privilege of visiting the communities of Rae Lakes and Wha Ti with the Minister responsible for Housing.

The feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive. Residents were pleased to see a Minister and an MLA make the effort to visit the community together. People could see that we are working together to hear and address community concerns about housing.

I would value the opportunity to visit my constituents with other Ministers, and to perhaps do some home visits. I think it sends a powerful message to our people that we are actively involved and committed to creating a better North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 163-14(2): Stakeholder Consultation On Non-renewable Resource Policy Development March 29th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is for the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. As a government, we have been talking about the need to raise territorial dollars through getting control of our northern resources and by opening the door to non-renewable resource development. Examples of this include encouraging oil and gas development and diamond mining.

While a growing interest in non-renewable resources development, we have also talked about the need to develop a policy around this issue. Recently, the government established an Inter-governmental Forum Secretariat. This office is meant to provide a base for the Government of the Northwest Territories, Canada, and aboriginal groups to reach agreement on issues of common concern, in this case, a non-renewable resources policy.

Further input by aboriginal groups, regions, communities, mining interests, environmental groups, and other residents is necessary to complete the stake-holder consultation process. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister assure me that any development of a non-renewable resource policy will involve and integrate not only land claim concerns, but also the general perspective of all stake holders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Budget Resources For The North Slave Region March 29th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during the past three months that I have spent as an MLA, I have become very concerned about the lack of recognition for the North Slave region in the budget. Money is allocated for the North Slave region and yet that money ends up being spent on items outside of my area.

For example, Fred Henne Park improvements and Ingraham Trail signs are paid for from the North Slave budget. In the actual North Slave region, which is Rae, Rae Lakes, Wha Ti and Snare Lakes, it seems as though there is no funding for parks or anything of the sort. As well, when money is allocated for highways, my region is grouped in with Fort Smith. Mr. Speaker, as I am sure the Members know, the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council are negotiating the final agreement right now. We will have our own government and land claim area.

I urge the government to recognize this and to reflect the status of the North Slave region in the June budget and future business plans by excluding Yellowknife from the North Slave area. As well, there is no need to include the North Slave in with the Fort Smith region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Edap Program Review March 29th, 2000

Thank you. Just further along with that, I had a letter arrive on my desk today. The Wha Ti First Nation was wondering, when we went to meet them, we talked about the Wha Ti Housing Corporation. They did not know who was on that board, or what the role of the Wha Ti Housing Corporation was. They wanted me to ask you who are the members on the What Ti First Nation Housing Corporation, because they are not aware of it. Thank you.

Edap Program Review March 29th, 2000

Thank you. I just have one question for the Minister. It has to do with employees representing the North Slave region. I was made aware of a non-Dogrib speaking employee going house to house in the North Slave doing a survey and also doing a native study. I am just wondering if the Minister is aware of it. If he is aware if it, would he look at putting an employee who speaks Dogrib in the North Slave region? Thank you.

Records Management March 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one question for the Minister on the negotiating contract with the Nishi-Khon building in Rae-Edzo. I wrote him a letter in February supporting the negotiating contract. He returned a letter to me saying that with the support of myself and the band, it might go ahead. I am wondering how far they are with the negotiated contract?

Oral Question 152-14(2): Support For Log Homes Initiative March 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister assure me that there will be funds allocated for employment opportunities in log harvesting for homes in the June budget?

Oral Question 152-14(2): Support For Log Homes Initiative March 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. As many of the Members know, there is both the housing and employment crisis in many territorial communities. There is a need for more housing and employment. Last Wednesday, I mentioned that sweat equity programs existed which allowed people to cut and haul their own logs for building homes. I asked the Minister responsible for Housing if government programs like this could be re-introduced. He stated programs such as this are currently being revised.

Mr. Speaker, I realize that not everybody wants to cut logs and build their own home, but I also know that the majority of people in my region need housing. I would like to ask the Minister if he would support the log housing initiative by establishing an industry where northern logs are supplied for northern homes?