Michael McLeod

[Infrastructure, May 30th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, my riding of the Northwest Territories has significant infrastructure needs and faces particular challenges because of our northern climate.

In April, experts from Canada and the United States gathered in Inuvik to discuss new techniques for infrastructure projects at the International Symposium of Permafrost Scientists. One of the projects they discussed was the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway that has just finished its third construction season.

Could the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities please update the House on the progress of this important project?

[Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, May 10th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, today is the last day of the Hon. George Tuccaro's term as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. He was sworn in as the 16th commissioner in May 2010 and has been a dedicated advocate of youth and healthy lifestyles throughout his term.

Prior to his time as commissioner, he had a long and distinguished career with CBC North radio. He was the anchor for the current affairs program Northbeat and also produced a Gabriel Award-winning documentary on teen suicide in Canada's north.

Mr. Tuccaro is a recipient of many awards, including the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, and both the Queen's golden and diamond jubilee medals. George Tuccaro spoke at many events and ceremonies. His message was consistent: we have to love ourselves enough to want something better in our lives.

On behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories, I thank him for his service and wish him luck and much happiness.

[Situation in Indigenous Communities, April 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for her attention to this very serious issue across Canada. I come from the Northwest Territories, and suicide is also a very big issue there.

The suicide rates in the Northwest Territories are double that of the national average, and they are not restricted only to aboriginal people. However, it is the leading cause of death among first nations, Métis, and Inuit people across Canada.

Suicide is the ninth-leading cause of mortality in all ages and genders. The government of the Northwest Territories did a study in 2014 and concluded that there were 121 suicides within a 15-year period. They were highest among the Inuit, three times the territorial rate. The non-aboriginal population made up 27% of the suicides.

Of the suicides, 79% were male and 21% were female. There are many risk factors that we can point to for this. Alcohol and drug use, depression, emotional stress, housing, poverty, education, and trauma are all issues that contribute to this issue.

We need to be able to prevent suicides. We need to have people connect to the families and the culture. We need clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders.

There are many other things we can point to, but we have to conclude that people who are committing suicide usually feel overwhelmed, hopeless, helpless, desperate, and alone. We need programs and preventive strategies that target specific high-risk people.

I would like to ask the member how a nation-to-nation relationship would help on this issue.

[Arctic Winter Games, March 10th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a big shout-out to Team NWT athletes, coaches, and mission staff who have been in Nuuk, Greenland, since March 6 participating in the 24th Arctic Winter Games.

What started out in Yellowknife in 1970 with competitors from Yukon, Alaska, and the NWT has turned into the largest multi-sport and cultural event for youth athletes from many of the world's arctic regions. There are now over 2,000 participating athletes from Nunavut, northern Alberta, Nunavik, Russia, Greenland, and Scandinavia.

These athletes are competing in 15 different sports, from cross-country skiing and hockey to traditional Dene and Inuit games. Attending the games is a great achievement for all these youth. It will show them that hard work and perseverance pays off. These young athletes have developed skills and will gain experience that will serve them well in life.

To all the Arctic Winter Games athletes, good luck and have fun.

[Finance, February 16th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, a Statistics Canada revision to the territorial formula financing in December had people in my riding of Northwest Territories, as well as people in Yukon and Nunavut, worried about their territorial governments' ability to plan ahead for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

The Minister of Finance pledged to identify options for addressing the impact of recent data revisions on territorial financial planning. Would the minister please update the House on what progress has been made on this file?

[Retirement Congratulations, February 4th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, a dedicated public servant and influential businesswoman in the Northwest Territories retired from her position as chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation last month. Nellie Cournoyea held this elected position for 20 years. Her continuing endorsement by the Inuvialuit is truly remarkable.

Nellie has many other remarkable career highlights. She was elected premier of the Northwest Territories in 1991, meaning that she holds two records: Nellie was the second female premier and the first aboriginal premier in our country.

Nellie was also made an Officer of the Order of Canada, was inducted into the Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame, and has been awarded honorary doctorates in law from Lakehead University, Carleton University, and the University of Toronto.

From the oil companies in Calgary to the boardrooms in Ottawa, and throughout the north, the single name “Nellie” commands respect and admiration.

I wish Ms. Cournoyea the best of luck and happiness in the future.

[Taxation, January 28th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, residents in my riding of the Northwest Territories, as well as other northern and remote areas of Canada, live with the reality of a very high cost of living. One way to help address this challenge is through our tax system, specifically the northern residents deductions.

Could the Minister of National Revenue please advise the House of the commitment to increase the northern residents deductions?