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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Crucial Fact

Historical Information Michael McLeod is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly October 2011, as MLA for Deh Cho

Lost his last election, in 2011, with 36% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Oral Question 130-14(2): Aboriginal Foster Parent Recruiting March 26th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has touched on an issue I would like to raise and that is the amount of money the department gives foster parents. This affects the ability of the department to attract aboriginal foster parents. What the department gives foster parents is not sufficient to meet the financial requirements of raising a child. In small communities, there are many parents that would make good foster parents. Unfortunately, they cannot afford to be foster parents. Can the Minister tell the House if the department has any plans to examine the rates paid to foster parents?

Oral Question 130-14(2): Aboriginal Foster Parent Recruiting March 26th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Northwest Territories, we all owe a debt of gratitude to those couples and persons who volunteered to be foster parents to the children whose lives are in crisis. Many of these children have been removed from situations involving violence or substance abuse. For aboriginal children, the problem can be compounded by the placement with non-aboriginal foster parents. We realize the department has no choice, because of the shortage of aboriginal foster parents.

Can the Minister tell the House what her department is doing to increase the numbers of aboriginal foster parents in the Northwest Territories?

Recognition Of Deh Gah School Pages March 26th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the pages that are here from the Deh Cho. We have four pages from my home community of Fort Providence. They are all students from the Deh Gah School in Fort Providence. I would like to thank them for coming and sacrificing one week of school to be here with us. The pages that are here from Fort Providence are Ashley Arychuk, Julie Elleze, Robyn McLeod and Victoria Constant.

On behalf of the 14th Legislative Assembly, I would like to say welcome, and I hope they enjoy their stay here in Yellowknife. Thank you.

-- Applause

Office Space Renovations March 23rd, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As we all know it has been a number of long years since discussions have taken place within the Deh Cho First Nations, struggling over the decision whether to let the territorial government have a seat at the table. This year, they decided to take that leap of faith and allow the territorial government to have a seat at the table along with the federal government.

I am very concerned, having done that and declared the Deh Cho a moratorium on development until land claims are concluded or at least until a land use process is developed and designed, that this would be honoured. It is being honoured by the federal government but is not being honoured by the territorial government. They are issuing permits against the wishes of the communities. Very little consultation has taken place, if any.

I think by doing this that they may be jeopardizing the whole process. I hear the Minister state there is consultation between the departments within the government. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not they have relayed the message to the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development regarding the moratorium?

The other point I would like to make is that I am in agreement that there is a need for dedicated staff, especially when it comes to the Deh Cho region. I think it needs more than that. I think it needs the political element added to it.

The Minister stated himself that the territorial government is viewed as dragging their heels when it comes to land claims discussions. Every region that is in negotiations right now will agree to that.

My second question is how does he plan to rectify that situation?

Tribute To Joseph Farcy March 23rd, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this moment to recognize an elder from my constituency, Mr. Joe Farcy, who passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2000. Mr. Speaker, Joe was born on April 4, 1912, and raised in the North Channel area at the mouth of the Mackenzie River. He spent many years trapping on the Horn plateau area. As a youngster, he worked as a woodcutter for the SS Distributor and the mission in Fort Providence.

Joe loved the bush life. He was a trapper, a hunter and a fisherman. Mr. Speaker, from 1955 to 1985, Joe served on the band council under the leadership of Chief Vital Baton Rouge and Chief Phillip Simba. Joe always acted and served in the best interests of his people. He was a friend, a good adviser, and an elder for the community. Joe was pre-deceased by his wife Theresa and children Morslan, Phillip, Fabian and Alex. Joe is survived by his three sons, four daughters, 26 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Once again, on behalf of my constituents, I offer our condolences, prayers and support to the Farcy family.

Motion 10-14(2): Pipeline Development (carried) February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have my name as the seconder for this motion. However, I want this House to note that the support from the Deh Cho First Nations for this motion is conditional.

Mr. Speaker, as the Members will recall, when the aboriginal leaders met in Fort Liard last month, they were ready to talk about a Mackenzie Valley pipeline, to talk about business partnerships, to maximize ownership and benefits of the pipeline. I will remind Members they sent a clear message they wanted it to be built on their terms. It was noted by those leaders we are now at a point where several land claims have been settled and others are currently at different stages of negotiations. The invitation for business, industry and government to approach the leadership on their terms. For my own region, this involves the recognition that the leadership is still negotiating political development. The Deh Cho First Nations are still discussing their self-government arrangements, which is referred to as the Deh Cho proposal.

Mr. Speaker, this is why today I stand to make clear that Deh Cho has given conditional support for this motion. I will remind Members that the participation from the Deh Cho is dependent on how much progress is made to this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Arctic Winter Games Team Selection Process February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these changes require me to ask this government insist on an independent evaluation of our Territory's participation in the Arctic Winter Games. This evaluation should address how the different sports are selected to be in the Games, how athletes are selected to be on the different sport teams, cost for athletes to participate in the selection process, and whether or not we should continue our participation in the Arctic Winter Games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Arctic Winter Games Team Selection Process February 28th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Arctic Winter Games Team Selection Process February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week I made a statement regarding the Arctic Winter Games that seems to have sparked a great deal of interest both inside and outside of this House.

I listened with great interest as my colleagues rose and spoke of the impact the Arctic Winter Games had on their lives. For them, the experience was positive. It created a sense of pride and fostered lifelong friendships. This is an experience that every athlete in the Northwest Territories should have equal access to.

Mr. Speaker, I could stand here and say warm and fuzzy things about the games. My son participated with pride in the 1996 games in Eagle River, Alaska. My daughter will be participating this year in Whitehorse. I know they will remember this for the rest of their lives.

However, Mr. Speaker, there is a glaring omission from this year's Arctic Winter Games team. That omission is athletes from 17 Northwest Territories communities. Less than half of the communities of the Northwest Territories will be represented on the Arctic Winter Games team this year. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu region does not have any representation. Are we to believe there are no athletes in the Sahtu?

Further, when I look at the different sports participating at the Games, I note that some of the sports are fielding teams consisting mainly of athletes from the larger communities.

Mr. Speaker, I make these points because I am convinced there is a flaw in the Arctic Winter Games team selection process. The flaws are both at the support level and at the Arctic Winter Games trials level. Many of the communities do not have the recreational facilities required for some of the sports in the Games. At other times, the selection process is defective and does not provide for the fair selection of athletes.

I would like to remind the Members of a debate in the 13th Assembly. The debate was over a hockey team from Fort Smith. The team won every game of the tournament at the 1998 territorial trials. Yet only one athlete was selected for the Arctic Winter Games team. Later that year, two players from the Fort Smith team went on to play Junior A hockey in the south. I cannot be convinced that players chosen to play Junior A in the south cannot make the cut for the Arctic Winter Games team.

Mr. Speaker, the Games have changed greatly since their inception in 1970. We have gone from three contingents to six contingents. The sports involved have changed and we have adult participation in very few of the sports. The cost to participate has become a barrier to some athletes.

Question 66-14(2): Mackenzie River Crossing Question February 27th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for clarification on the question I posed to the Minister responsible for Transportation regarding highway patrol presence in Fort Providence. He stated he would pass that on to the department. I would like to know if I can interpret that to mean he has taken the question as notice? Thank you.