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Track R.J.

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Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word is know.

MLA for Hay River North

Won his last election, in 2023, with 66% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question 132-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations February 28th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was, I think, a few years ago was the last time there was a real indepth discussion among the group about this item. So I can bring it to the group and say that this has been raised by an MLA and see what their thoughts are on having the discussion but I can't -- again, I can't make any promises. We don't set the agenda. We don't make decisions. But whenever I hear concerns from MLAs, I do bring them forward. Thank you.

Question 132-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations February 28th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I do not have the authority to make that commitment. The GNWT is also signatory to the devolution agreement as are a number of Indigenous governments, and so it's that group of governments who would make that decision, not myself as Premier. And as I understand, the last direction was that the signatories receive those funds. Thank you.

Question 132-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations February 28th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I definitely think it's possible. We are not the only party to these negotiations though so there is a lot that's out of our hands. I mean, the federal government is -- you know, they have an evolving approach to negotiations as well so they might introduce a new way of doing business that could add more time to the process. So there's a lot of unknowns, but I am confident that we're headed in the right direction and we're moving at a good pace. Thank you.

Question 132-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations February 28th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A consultation draft of the agreement-in-principle has been completed. It is with the Akaitcho leadership, and they are reviewing it internally. So the ball is in their court right now, and so I don't have a timeline on how long things will take but I can say there is forward progress on this file. Thank you.

Question 129-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Training February 28th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't make any commitments -- I don't want to make any commitments on behalf of the Minister of health. But I think that's a good suggestion. It is a very labour intensive program to offer. As Members know, it's not easy. It's not easy on the facilitators either. And so we also have to take into consideration that the people who are delivering this training, you know, there's an impact on them as well. So there's a number of things that we need to consider. I agree that it's something that I wish we could offer it across government, and there have been constant movements in that direction, to expand it to more people, to make it a more robust program. So I'll go back, and I will have those conversations. Thank you.

Question 129-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Training February 28th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I understand that this -- the group in health has already provided that type of advice. I actually have someone in my office who is an expert in this area as well so I'm happy to have that conversation and see whether or not we can -- or how we can better support departments. Thank you.

Question 129-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Training February 28th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm happy to look into that as well. I appreciate that when we are developing programs and policies, we need to have a certain mindset. I've seen -- you know, my time as an MLA, I've seen policies and programs that you could tell were missing a certain lens at the very beginning, whether it was an economic lens, an environmental lens, or a cultural safety lens. So I'm happy to go back and see exactly what the process is, what is considered, and how we may be able to improve that process. Thank you.

Question 129-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Training February 28th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question. The MLA noted that all MLAs actually participated in that training, and so I think we here in this room understand the value of it. Cultural safety, it's a concept that originates from health academics and the GNWT began, I guess, developing the program and offering it using federal funding, so under the health innovation fund I believe, and now through another pot of federal funding directly related to health. So that's why it has been situated in health. That being said, we have expanded the delivery of that program to a few different groups. So the MLAs, I know the deputy ministers, and assistant deputy ministers have taken in. And there's another opportunity for those who haven't gotten to as well. So I understand what the Member is saying. We can look at perhaps where this program might fit better, but that's not a decision to make lightly. So I appreciate the Member has a policy proposal and an organizational structure redesign that he's suggesting, and so I'm happy to go back to the department and have them look into it, but these aren't the kind of things that I want to just say yes to on the floor of the House. There's a lot more thought and research that needs to go into these things behind the scenes before we could advance something like that. Thank you.

Question 116-20(1): Daylight Savings Time February 27th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have some reports, I have a briefing note, so we can put together the information from what we have and share it with the Member. Thank you.

Question 116-20(1): Daylight Savings Time February 27th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That might be a bit much. I'm not quite sure that we can provide that level of detail. We don't quite know what it would take. We would likely piggyback with Alberta and, you know, make the changes at the same time. So while Alberta is contacting the airlines saying that they're getting rid of their time change, we could be part of those conversations. That would be my hope. So I'll see what we can -- what information we can put together, but I don't think it's going to be the level of detail to perhaps satisfy the Member. Thank you.