Michael McLeod

[Patricia Rose “Gail” Cyr, December 13th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a beloved northerner and a friend who passed away last week. Patricia Rose Cyr, better known as Gail, was a former Yellowknife city councillor for a decade and worked tirelessly for the advancement of indigenous people. Gail had a passion for justice and was a strong advocate for women.

In recognition for her lifetime of dedication to helping others, she was a recipient of the Order of Canada in 2021. She leaves behind an incredible legacy.

My condolences to her family and loved ones at this difficult time. We are going to miss her.

Mahsi cho.

[Indigenous Affairs, December 11th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, since 2015, our government has made reconciliation with indigenous people one of the most crucial priorities for Canada. We have made important progress from returning unceded land back to communities, making aggressive investments in housing, reforming health care and eliminating almost 150 long-term boil water advisories across the country.

Would the Prime Minister tell Canadians what more we as a government can do to support reconciliation?

[Foreign Affairs, December 10th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced a new Arctic foreign policy. It reflects the reality of our region and was developed in partnership with indigenous governments as well as Arctic and territorial partners. It strengthens our work here at home and our engagement with other northern nations like Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United States. They are Canada's like-minded Arctic partners and they are all, apparently, countries that Conservatives have never heard of. For northerners and indigenous people who call the Arctic home, and to all Canadians, can the minister tell us why she launched the foreign—

[Opioids, October 30th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, in even our smallest communities in the Northwest Territories, the drug trade and accompanying addiction issues have reached a boiling point. Our community members, many dealing with trauma, are facing predatory dealers, who will sell to anyone to ensure they become repeat customers. It does not matter if we live in a city, town, village, hamlet or charter community. People are struggling to ensure that communities of all sizes are safe and healthy places to live.

The Government of Canada must continue to work with the Government of Northwest Territories, community and indigenous governments to create and strengthen tools to disrupt and combat the drug trade and provide support and aftercare options that work for northerners. To protect our residents at risk, we need all levels of government at the table to end the drug crisis that is harming our families and our communities. Mahsi cho.

[Leaders of Northwest Territories, October 8th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the members of the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders to Ottawa this week. This collaboration of both the territorial and indigenous governments is a forum for co-operation and collaboration on shared priorities.

While these leaders represent different levels of government and different regions, they are coming together for the same reason: to build a better future for northern communities. This council is meeting with federal ministers and officials in Ottawa to highlight and advocate for the interests of those from NWT. These include advancing reconciliation and modern treaties, protecting our environment while sustainably developing our economy and building necessary infrastructure, such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

I welcome the council leaders, and I look forward to the continued progress in advancing northern priorities.

[Tony Whitford, September 20th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Tony Whitford, a great northerner who passed away earlier this week. Tony's dedication to public service knew no bounds. He served with distinction in many roles, as an MLA, minister, Speaker, sergeant-at-arms, deputy commissioner and commissioner.

I had the honour of serving with Tony in the 14th legislative assembly in the Northwest Territories. As a rookie MLA at the time, I learned a great deal from him. He was also a dedicated volunteer, spending countless hours supporting local charitable efforts and worthy causes in the north.

Tony was a friend to all who knew him and he will be dearly missed. We offer our condolences to his family and his loved ones. Mahsi cho.

[Indigenous Affairs, June 11th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, 16 years ago today, our country experienced an unprecedented moment. National leaders of the indigenous organizations of Canada stood on the floor of the House to receive formal apologies from the Prime Minister and leaders of every political party. It was a historic day of non-partisanship, as we heard apologies to 80,000 survivors for the harms caused by more than a century of Canada's residential schooling policies for indigenous children.

The promises made on that day were a commitment to working together toward reconciliation. As elderly survivors leave us, it is essential that we keep alive the promises that were made to them, their families and their communities.

To mark this occasion, my constituent Dr. Marie Wilson is in Ottawa for the official release of her book North to Nowhere: Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner. As we read the book, let us all remember the solemn promises made by each of our parties, and let us renew our determination to keep those promises.

[Telecommunications, June 6th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, our government works every day to ensure that communities have the vital infrastructure it takes to be successful. From houses to bridges to community centres to broadband Internet, I know our government is investing in communities in ways that truly matter.

Could the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA share with the House the ways in which broadband infrastructure and a stable connection to the Internet can bolster communities?

[Indigenous Affairs, June 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the opportunities for indigenous tourism are unlimited. In spectacular Northwest Territories, people have come to experience the unparalleled northern lights and our northern hospitality. Last November, we launched the first stream of the indigenous tourism fund, which currently supports over 150 projects. At least 50% of the tourism growth program will be invested in indigenous tourism attractions.

Can the Minister of Tourism tell us how our government is supporting reconciliation through infrastructure investments and indigenous tourism?

[Wally Firth, April 18th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, Wally Firth, my predecessor here and the first indigenous member of Parliament from Northwest Territories, passed away last month at the age of 89 years old. He served as the NDP MP for Northwest Territories from 1972 to 1979. He was also one of the first indigenous managers at the Hudson's Bay Company, one of the first northern indigenous commercial pilots, and a radio host and a journalist at CBC North.

Mr. Firth was an advocate for addressing the poverty and injustices that indigenous people have suffered. Wally also pushed the federal government to negotiate modern land claim agreements with the Dene and the Inuit, and it is interesting to note that we are still after the same things 50 years later.

Wally did speak with me before his passing, to talk about these issues and to catch up on family and friends. He will be remembered as a trailblazer. He was humble and a great listener, and he had a passion for music and loved to pick up the fiddle.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.