Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, most people in the NWT are still not aware that their medical insurance does not cover medical travel costs when they're travelling outside of the Northwest Territories. Separate and additional travel insurance must be purchased to ensure medical travel costs will be recovered, otherwise they will be personally responsible for these costs. Medical travel which originates outside of the Northwest Territories is not covered.

How many NWT residents pack up and head off on a vacation to destinations in or outside of Canada without considering how ruined their holidays would be if they or one of their family fell ill or was involved in an accident? Imagine the compounded stress they would have to return home and receive a bill for any medical transportation associated with that incident.

Also, for example, Mr. Speaker, students who are attending post-secondary institutions would be charged for air and ground ambulance services as their NWT health insurance would not cover these expenses. The cost could be substantial, depending upon the service required and distance involved. Many other residents travel to other jurisdictions for business and vacation and the territorial government's medical travel and extended health benefits policy would have a significant impact upon this major segment of our population as well.

Mr. Speaker, if we cannot pay for our residents' medical travel costs we should at least inform them of this potentially costly service. This would at least reduce the level of anxiety. We need a better communication strategy, Mr. Speaker. Pamphlets at travel agencies, ticket counters, airport gates, I suggest would be a good start. I've noticed numerous places where this type of medical travel insurance can be purchased, including on the front page of Web sites for on-line banking.

Mr. Speaker, perhaps we may also wish to consider a government-funded supplementary insurance plan for those who cannot buy medical travel insurance due to serious pre-existing conditions such as cancer or other debilitating conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I could share many stories of families who have been negatively impacted financially due to unanticipated medical evacuation costs while outside of the jurisdiction in which they are insured. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services on this matter today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on two events of some significance that took place in Tuktoyaktuk during the month of August of this year. On August 23rd, graduation ceremonies were held for four students who graduated from Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk. They were Amanda Nasagaluak, Charlene Steen, Curtis Wolki and Fred Voudrach, Jr. This event was well attended by proud parents and family members, teachers and members of the public. I know my colleagues here in the House join me in wishing these students every success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, another event that took place was the name change for the Tuktoyaktuk airport. The Tuktoyaktuk airport is now known as the James Gruben Airport. The naming of the airport after James Gruben will serve to acknowledge the skills and achievements of the late James Gruben. Mr. Speaker, James was well liked and respected by many. This was reflected by the fact that the air terminal was packed by well over 200 friends and relatives, including Nellie Cournoyea, chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, and Freddy Carmichael, a lifelong friend and distinguished bush pilot himself.

Mr. Speaker, James spent many hours operating his bush plane out of the Tuktoyaktuk airport, as well as the Tuktoyaktuk Harbour. He was a highly skilled and trusted bush pilot who many local residents, including myself, had the pleasure of flying with. Mr. Speaker, as you enter the air terminal building in Tuktoyaktuk now you will be greeted by a life-size bronze statue carved to the likeness of James Gruben. There is also a plaque alongside the statue outlining the achievements of this famous young pilot.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Tuktoyaktuk, I wish to thank the Honourable Joe Handley, Minister of Transportation, and his department for their cooperation in allowing this name change to go forward. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Tuktoyaktuk, I wish to invite and welcome all Members of this House to the James Gruben Airport in Tuktoyaktuk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Colleagues, I'd like to draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of a former Member of the 12th Assembly, Mr. Fred Koe.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize two constituents from Weledeh. First of all, Reanna Erasmus. I invite all of the Members to go and visit the excellent head start program that Reanna runs down in Ndilo. It's one of the best in Canada, in my view. As well, I want to recognize Major Karen Hoeft, a long-time friend and supporter for all the people in the Northwest Territories, in particular the homeless. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure today to recognize in the gallery a very dear friend of mine and, might I also say, my campaign manager, Joy Stewart.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize all the people from the Western Arctic Aboriginal Head Start Program; from the northern secretariat Health Canada, Tracey Cameron; also, running one of the best head start programs in Canada, Joyce Villeneuve, from Fort Providence.

---Laughter

---Applause

Also, another head start program coordinator from Hay River Reserve, Nancy Lafleur. I'd like to welcome them here to the House. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Mr. Ed Hunter and Denise Yuhas, as well; constituents of mine and very good people from Fort Smith. Thank you.

---Applause

For situations like this perhaps we should have a written recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.