Michael McLeod

[2024 Arctic Winter Games, March 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the 2024 Arctic Winter Games just wrapped up in the Mat-Su Valley in south central Alaska this past weekend. These games, held every two years in the Arctic region, include 21 indoor and outdoor sports, from hockey and biathlon to volleyball and table tennis, as well as traditional Arctic sports and Dene games.

This year, for the first time, the Dene games included an open women's category, a long overdue change and one that will encourage women and girls to keep up their traditional practices. I offer special congratulations to one of the gold medal winners in the Dene games, my daughter Shawna.

With the games being held in Alaska, for many athletes it meant international travel for the very first time. A big thanks to the Minister of Citizens’ Services and Service Canada staff for going above and beyond in ensuring everyone had their last-minute passports.

I congratulate all the medal winners and all those who qualified and attended. It was an incredible experience for young athletes who train very hard to make their teams and represent their territories.

Mahsi cho.

[Child Care, March 19th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, we all recognize the crucial importance of successful, high-quality child care for families in the Northwest Territories. With the increase in the cost of living, accessible day care is vital. Families in my riding and across the north have been eager to see this plan built out.

My question for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development is what is being done for the Northwest Territories and for northerners more broadly?

[Birthday Congratulations, January 31st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to send best wishes to Mitzi Hodgson on the occasion of her 100th birthday.

Mitzi turned 100 on December 9. Born in Slovenia, Mitzi landed in Norman Wells in 1955. Without knowing a word of English, she began working in the Imperial Oil mess hall. It was here that Mitzi met the love of her life, Eddy Hodgson.

Mitzi has worn many hats over the years, from working in the hospital to owning a local hotel and doing countless hours of volunteering in the church. Mitzi is fluent in four languages and is an accomplished seamstress, dancer, gardener and baker. Her cherry cheesecake was once auctioned for $1,400.

Mitzi is an unsung hero. Her selfless character and genuine kindness are why she has such a vast network of friends and admirers. Along with her two children, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many, many other friends and family members, I want to wish Mitzi a very happy 100th birthday.

[Tourism Industry, November 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, indigenous tourism was among the hardest-hit sectors of the travel industry during the pandemic, but it was becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry before the pandemic and that opportunity still exists. The growth of indigenous tourism is an important element of reconciliation and a major opportunity for first nations, Métis and Inuit communities. It was among the key priorities of the new federal tourism growth strategy announced this summer.

Can the Minister of Tourism tell us what our government is doing to support indigenous tourism?

[Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, November 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, a time to recognize the contributions of Métis, Inuit and first nations persons with disabilities to Canada's social, economic and cultural fabric.

Included in Canada's action plan to implement UNDRIP is a measure to ensure that the equality and rights of indigenous persons with disabilities are respected in the design and delivery of government programs, policies and services.

The government is also working with indigenous communities and their representatives on the realization of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has funded numerous projects to support the social inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Together with the disability community, stakeholders and other levels of government, Canada is creating more inclusive workplaces and communities, providing additional opportunities for persons with disabilities, including indigenous persons with disabilities, to reach their full potential.

Mahsi cho.

[Petitions, October 20th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to table a petition signed by over 1,100 Canadians from across Canada who are calling on the Government of Canada to establish an annual aircraft maintenance engineer day on April 20.

From coast to coast to coast, Canada's aircraft maintenance engineers work hard to keep aircraft of all types and sizes safely maintained in every type of weather. They are more than deserving of a day to recognize their contributions to our country.

[Indigenous Affairs, September 29th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, tomorrow is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day that recognizes first nations, Inuit and Métis children who were separated from their families, their culture and their communities. While the Leader of the Opposition fails to advance on indigenous issues such as UNDRIP, which he voted against, our government will be there to work with indigenous peoples.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations update the House on our government's record on reconciliation?

[Disaster Assistance, September 26th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, this year marked Canada's worst wildfire season on record, especially in the Northwest Territories, with three of our four largest communities and nearly 70% of our population evacuated. The $28 million recently announced for the NWT by the Government of Canada is very much appreciated, but along with the real costs of fighting the fires, the evacuation resulted in many businesses having to close down for weeks.

Can the Minister of Northern Affairs please give an update on the government's plan to support businesses in the Northwest Territories as they get back up and running again after the evacuations?

[Climate Change, September 18th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, this summer was an incredibly challenging time for the Northwest Territories. Across our region, wildfires threatened the safety of our communities, with about 70% of NWTers being evacuated, including in the city of Yellowknife. The people of Hay River and Kʼatlodeeche First Nation, who were hit by a flood last year, had to leave their homes twice this summer. The hamlet of Enterprise was 90% destroyed.

Words cannot express how grateful northerners are to the communities that opened their doors to the evacuees, and to the firefighters and emergency workers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

As we move forward, it is critical that all levels of government continue to work together to ensure that residents and small businesses will recover and that we can rebuild a healthier and safer future for NWTers.

The climate crisis is here, and the time to act is now.

[Indigenous Affairs, June 5th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, June marks National Indigenous History Month, which is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of first nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada as well as their culture, languages and heritage. It is also an opportunity to reflect on historic wrongs, how they have impacted relationships with indigenous people and the ongoing work to advance reconciliation.

The reality of Canada's colonial history, including dispossessing indigenous people from their lands, continue to be felt to this day. Can the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations please update this House on the work Canada has been doing to advance reconciliation to address past harms—