Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Roy Erasmus is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly December 1999, as MLA for Yellowknife North

Lost his last election, in 2015, with 21% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question 31-13(8): Addressing Special Needs In NWT Schools September 8th, 1999

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. Earlier this year the Minister had met with the chairs from each of the NWTs Education Councils. There was a three day meeting that focused on the Report of the Minister's Forum on Education. The Minister had indicated at the time that special needs topped the list of issues that the chairs felt needed immediate attention. Also, that they were going to be getting together later on. What I am wondering is has the Minister implemented anything to address this need that was identified as the major area that needs attention? Thank you.

Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access September 8th, 1999

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering the fact that there was no means test put in place for being eligible for the MDAPP, would the Minister also look at increasing the maximum amount of yearly family income before they are regarded as ineligible for accessing this program? Thank you.

Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access September 8th, 1999

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister's report had indicated that the MDAPP had put in $5.6 million into their program, and there was no means test whatsoever. What I am wondering is, could the Minister increase the amount of money that is in that repair program so that people who have bought their houses on their own, with their own money, can repair their houses. Because many of them are now in very dire straits. I am wondering, could the Minister increase the repair program to maybe only half of what they put into the MDAPP, maybe only $2 million, $2.5 million?

Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access September 8th, 1999

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. To follow up on his very enlightening report on the MDAPP evaluation which I think they spent close to $6 million to help people buy houses without any means test or anything placed on the people who are able to purchase houses, whether they made a million dollars a year or $50,000. Mr. Speaker, several of my constituents have come forward with dilapidated houses, their sidings falling off, windows in disrepair, that type of thing. What they are wondering is if there are any repair programs in the Housing Corporation's current programs that they are eligible for here in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Question 22-13(8): Support For Northern House September 8th, 1999

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that the equipment and the furniture is obviously, it is a one time infusion and it is a start up cost, so I would ask the Minister if he could do this, if he could endeavour to have a look at this as quickly as possible as there are people staying there now and they need this equipment as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Question 22-13(8): Support For Northern House September 8th, 1999

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Before I start I would like to congratulate the Minister on this new initiative, with the binder entitled, Promising and Practices, Ideas at Work in Northern Secondary Classrooms. It sounds like a very, very good initiative. Similarly, I hope that he will support this initiative that is being started by the Native Student Services at the University of Alberta which is for housing aboriginal students from the North. As I had indicated in my statement, Mr. Speaker, the students require a small one time cash infusion to help them purchase some furniture and a computer and I am wondering if the Minister could indicate whether the department is in a position to help them? As I indicated it is a very, very small, teeny amount of money and I am sure that it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Member's Statement 15-13(8): "northern House" Aboriginal Students' Residence September 8th, 1999

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about an innovative idea that has been put into place at the University of Alberta, namely the Northern House that has been sponsored by the Native Student Services Department. I might add that it is also being supported and promoted by

various other departments within the University of Alberta.

Mr. Speaker, the Northern House is a project that is actually a residence for aboriginal students from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and currently has a support person and three students were enrolled in the first year of programs. The purpose, of course, is to provide support to these students who are away from their aboriginal cultures for long, long periods of time. The purpose is that they provide support to each other, as well as support from other staff persons. Mr. Speaker, this facility is just being started this year, and they do need a little bit of help for furniture, basic kitchen utensils, essentials, and a computer. They need a one-time small infusion of cash. I believe that this would be a very, very worthwhile project with this government as I know what it is like to be going to school. Fortunately, I had my family with me when I went to school, but this establishment is for single students, particularly for young students who, as you can see, are all in their first year of programs. So at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Education some questions on this particular project for support. Thank you.

--Applause

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters September 7th, 1999

Mr. Chairman, I move we report progress.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters September 7th, 1999

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could we get a better explanation of what substantially reduced means?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters September 7th, 1999

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Minister had indicated, in his opening comments, that if this supplementary appropriation is approved, that the total supplementary appropriations for the 1999-2000 fiscal year will be $26 million. I was wondering if the Minister could indicate how this compares with the total supplementary appropriation from the last fiscal year?