Good morning, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that later today I will table Green Light: Signalling the Department of Transportation’s Commitment to the Environment.

Maintaining a healthy environment is one of the most important issues facing us today. Managing climate change, air and water pollution, and stemming the loss of wildlife habitat are some of our biggest challenges.

The residents of the Northwest Territories are fortunate to live in a vast and relatively unspoiled environment that supports subsistence harvesting, resource development, recreation and tourism. Northerners have a strong and enduring attachment to the land, which demands special attention to addressing environmental challenges.

The Department of Transportation has developed Green Light to highlight existing environmental practices and to further foster a corporate culture of environmental excellence within the department and throughout the northern transportation industry. Green Light lays the groundwork for improving operations and demonstrates the department’s commitment to continue efforts to get our own house in order, and to lead by example.

Green Light supports the vision of the 16th Legislative Assembly and the goal of an environment that will sustain present and future generations.

Mr. Speaker, Green Light is conceived and designed to spark action by individuals in each operational region of the NWT and throughout the

Department of Transportation. The action plan presents a guide for priority actions in the short term of the first two years and in the medium term of the next two to five years.

In the short term, the Department of Transportation will focus on determining appropriate roles and responsibilities to address priority environmental challenges by:

•

fostering employee commitment;

•

developing the Environmental Management

System;

•

researching best practices and policies and

procedures;

•

developing a greenhouse gas emissions

reduction plan;

•

developing a climate change adaptation plan;

•

developing

worksite-specific

plans;

•

engaging the transportation industry.

The medium-term actions will focus on implementing the required policies and plans under a new departmental Environmental Management System.

Mr. Speaker, Green Light provides a blueprint to improve the environmental performance of the Department of Transportation. It will inspire and guide the department to achieve new levels of environmental sustainability and stewardship, while fulfilling its main mission of supporting and enabling a safe, secure, accessible and reliable Northwest Territories transportation system. The department is proud to enter an era of increased environmental awareness and positive action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the significant progress being made by NWT community governments in planning and building

the infrastructure they need to deliver quality programs and services within their communities.

Since 2007 when most NWT communities took on responsibility for the planning, design and construction of their community public infrastructure through the New Deal, we have seen impressive results. Community governments are provided with capital formula funding from the GNWT that they can use to bank, invest and leverage other sources of funding so that they can develop their capital plans and construct capital projects identified as a priority by their residents.

Municipal and Community Affairs piloted a series of infrastructure projects with interested community governments in order to establish best practices, gain insight into community project management needs and identify areas where communities might benefit from additional support in implementing their new responsibilities.

Based on this pilot experience, it is clear that community governments are innovative and creative in their approaches and are forming the partnerships and making the decisions needed to ensure that their capital projects are completed on time and on budget.

The Hamlet of Fort Liard, after waiting several years to have a maintenance garage constructed through the government’s capital plan, combined their Community Capacity Building Fund allocation with funding from MACA’s capital plan to implement three project in one year in order to achieve economies of scale. The three buildings -- a fire hall, maintenance garage and community office -- were bundled into one project and were completed in one construction season. The buildings reflect the needs of the hamlet and incorporate design elements that make them unique to Fort Liard.

The Hamlet of Fort McPherson has been another successful pilot. The community government pooled capital funding from various sources to construct a fire hall and community complex. The community complex houses the hamlet offices and also includes the radio station and space for an elders centre and an area for youth, features that would not have been possible under the GNWT’s capital planning process. The project was completed in 2008 and is well used and a respected asset in the community.

The Charter Community of Fort Good Hope also planned and implemented a community complex that suits the needs and priorities of residents. Under the council’s direction, a local project manager interviewed architects and consultants to see what each could offer the community in reflecting their needs. This unique approach ensured that community interests were first and foremost in the planning and design. The final product, which opened earlier this year, is a

showpiece for the community and reflects Fort Good Hope’s culture, heritage and values.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, on September 21, 2009, an important milestone took place in Dettah when the Yellowknives Dene First Nation held the grand opening of the Chief Drygeese Government Building and Conference Centre. Using their community capital formula funding allocation, along with their own-source revenues and borrowed funds, the Yellowknives planned new offices for the band, meeting space for council, and a magnificent community hall and meeting place that can be rented out.

Many hours were put in by the representatives from the Yellowknives who worked with MACA to navigate through GNWT funding policies, federal funding applications and also with the banks and architectural and construction firms. As the only pilot project involving a band government, this was a learning experience for everyone involved so that we could work through the details of band ownership of infrastructure. I want to commend the current and past leadership of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation for their willingness to partner with us on this pilot and for their vision and leadership from start to finish. The end result is worth it, the Yellowknives have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, energy efficient building that will benefit Dettah and the band members for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, the success of these projects is proof that the New Deal is working and that this enhanced control at the local level is contributing to the development of community capacity. MACA’s continuing role is to support and mentor community governments to take on these responsibilities in a way that allows for the communities full growth and potential to be realized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Aklavik is located on the west side of the Mackenzie Delta on the Peel River. Shoreline erosion, river embankment collapses, sloping and mudslides are a common occurrence throughout the Mackenzie Delta.

Mr. Speaker, climate change is real. It is affecting the residents of the Mackenzie Delta in that the average year temperature in the Mackenzie Delta has increased by 1.7 degrees Celsius over the past century, and more than anywhere else in Canada, the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on

earth and, Mr. Speaker, the effects are seen by the residents of Aklavik and throughout the Mackenzie Delta.

Mr. Speaker, this government has to take climate change seriously and realize that we do have a major threat looming in regards to what we see happening in coastal communities throughout the Arctic with what’s happening with regard to communities in Alaska where they are now being classified as basically climate change refugees, because they have to move their communities from the coastal shorelines inland and the effects that climate is having.

Mr. Speaker, we have seen the effects in communities such as Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and also we can see it as we travel down our river systems, from shoreline erosions, major mudslides, and even in the mountain ranges where we can actually see large chunks of land which basically have slid into the creek beds. Again, with the rising temperatures and the effects that we see, we, as government, have to realize that we have to take this issue seriously and look at what we can do to shore up the safety and security of our communities. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, as a government, we should not be propping up industry; we should be propping up our communities to ensure they’re there for another century. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to leave a message for the government on two telephone issues. First and most pressing is the obvious need for introduction of 911 emergency telephone service beginning in our major communities. The Minister’s position on this can only be described as stubborn and illogical. The arguments for realizing the clear advantages of 911 service are overwhelming.

A well researched and documented feasibility study shows the service can be cost effectively introduced on a phased-in basis. Today’s media reports confirm that NorthwesTel, after 10 years of study and investment, is technically able and eager to introduce 911 in any or all communities.

Even when this government finally sets out to introduce 911 service, its installation will have to be phased in over several years. The basic reasoning that no communities can have 911 until all communities can have 911 simply doesn’t make sense. Would the Minister say that no community may have a paid fire department unless all communities have paid fire departments? Does he believe that small community residents are so

mean spirited that they would deny this service improvement to larger communities? Where and when we can, we must take steps to protect the lives and property of our citizens and do what we can and strive to do even better always.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister to reverse his unacceptable position and introduce his plan for phased introduction of 911 emergency service on the basis of the feasibility study’s sensible recommendations.

Secondly, I want to put my support on record with other Members for the introduction of a ban on cell phone use while driving. My colleagues have eloquently put forward the wealth of information proving this hazard and information on the example of bans put in place or planned by other jurisdictions. One constituent who called me said that while walking around the airport loop and narrowly being missed by several vehicles, she started keeping tally. She saw 32 drivers…

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. I am going to stop you there. Your Member’s statement is supposed to be on one topic. So we will stop you there. Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I wasn’t at all sure what I would speak about today, but then on my way home I took a detour and stopped at the multiplex for my flu shot. What great work our Health department has done, is doing and will do.

---Applause

Many people probably caught the news last night but didn’t get much besides H1N1 coverage. All across Canada, vaccination clinics have huge line-ups, four to five-hour waits, 2,000 people in line for 800 doses available at a clinic. That means 1,200 people were turned away there. But no one should panic. There will be enough vaccine to go around, just not this week. By Christmas, everyone in Canada who wants a flu shot will have had it. So contrast the experience in Toronto to my experience last night. Here’s my story.

First, a five minute wait -- hardly noticed as I chatted with someone I hadn’t seen for quite a while -- then a friendly face directs me to registration. Another familiar face there. Four to five questions, show my health care card, get a number. Hey, I’m number one. Like magic, no wait required. Nurse station number six is open and off I go. Another smile, we chat a few more questions. Here we go, she says. Ouch! I’m all done. I wait the obligatory 15 minutes, which again passes quickly as I chat with old friends and watch the parade of

families coming in for their shots. We are so lucky to be in the NWT and not Toronto.

---Applause

Just this morning at eight o’clock Toronto time, there were 500 people lined up for shots at a clinic that was due to open two hours later. We are so lucky to have smart, creative, dedicated health professionals in our Territory.

The YK clinic is a beautiful piece of work, efficient, pleasant and reassuring. Thanks to the medical personnel for all their hard work, and as the travelling teams depart for the communities outside of YK, I wish them safe travels, have fun and enjoy the tour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement is going to be on the vision of a Prime Minister from the past, John Diefenbaker, in terms of the Road to Resources and I am going to make reference to the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway in terms of the importance of this piece of infrastructure in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I was in on several briefings where there are some funds out in Canada that would not consider the Mackenzie Valley Highway as a piece of infrastructure that would be looked at by the federal government. That’s a crying shame that the federal government would not look at this important piece of infrastructure that would serve many communities down the Mackenzie Valley, starting from the community of Wrigley and ending up at the Beaufort Sea at the community of Tuktoyaktuk. This piece of infrastructure would put a lot of people in the position to enhance their business, employ many people to further their skills as equipment operators, project managers, put business in our small communities to work and enhance our communities, as well, by creating a lot of self-esteem, I guess, amongst our people there.

Mr. Speaker, I would again look at the issue of the federal government in terms of their requirements and some of their funding projects that would support more businesses in the communities in the Mackenzie Valley. It seems the federal government has an interest in resource development that would be beneficial to them, such as the diamond mines. However, it seems to me when you look at their responses, it seems like they favour more the diamond, actually, than the people in the Northwest Territories along the Mackenzie Valley Highway. This infrastructure such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway would strengthen and support the sovereignty of Canada’s Arctic to the Canadian

people and that would help the people in the Mackenzie Valley open up other resource opportunities such as oil and gas exploration and mineral exploration.

So, again, I ask this government here if they would encourage the federal government to look at the Mackenzie Valley Highway as a project that could be a legacy for all Canadians to enjoy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We were elected in October 2007, and immediately after being elected, we worked together as 19 Members to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the people of the Northwest Territories. After that, Cabinet was selected and given the task to lead the bureaucracy and implement the collective strategy plan.

As a Regular MLA, I feel that my role is to bring forward and help address constituent issues and concerns; review, discuss, debate and either support or reject bills; review, discuss, debate and make recommendations on government business plans; bring forward ideas and initiatives that are in the best interests of residents of the Northwest Territories and to hold the government to account. I take my role very seriously and I have no problem holding Cabinet to account when they stray from our strategic plan. However, I don’t believe my job is to criticize everything that Cabinet does or says.

When something is done well, I think it should be recognized. A lot of good has occurred in the last two years and a lot of important things have happened. However, in this venue, official session, it’s seems to be a lot more about criticism.

So today I’d like to actually break away from my normal challenges to Cabinet and highlight a positive: specifically, this government’s response to H1N1. I talk an awful lot in here in this building about breaking down departmental silos and departments working together. In responding to the threat of H1N1, I feel strongly that Health and Social Services, MACA and Education, Culture and Employment have broken down their silos and have found ways to work together to effectively respond to H1N1.

MACA, as an example, has played a key role through their Territorial Emergency Response Team. They have worked closely and collaboratively with the Department of Health and Social Services and Education, Culture and Employment to respond to H1N1. Health professionals have gone above and beyond and

have committed time beyond their normal business days to actually respond to H1N1.

I was at the clinic yesterday getting my H1N1 shot and I was very impressed by just the flow of people through that centre. It was smooth. It was effective. I was in there and I was out of there, and I had my shot and my arm hurts a little bit, but otherwise I’m fine. This is clearly evidence that these departments can work together for positive results, and I applaud the staff of Education, Culture and Employment, MACA, and Health and Social Services for their continued dedication and support to the people of the Northwest Territories. Without our quality staff, there are no services to the people of the Northwest Territories. So to our staff: thank you very, very, very much. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Most residents of the Northwest Territories, when they get sick, they go see a doctor. Many times people are given the standard advice when they develop symptoms of illness: consult with your family physician. But in Nunakput, doctors’ visits are few and far between. Sometimes it can go as long as six or seven months, Mr. Speaker. That’s not acceptable.

Compounded by another issue that is equally important, especially during the H1N1 swine flu developments, are that our nurses diagnose patients, and if in their opinion the situation warrants, then a patient will be referred to a doctor. Mr. Speaker, most resident of the Northwest Territories do not have to go through this additional layer in the waiting times. When they have a problem, they go see the doctor directly. When regional health authorities have shortages of doctors, it’s always the smaller and remote communities that are left behind. We’re put on the backburner. We’re not given a fair share of doctors’ visits, Mr. Speaker, and that’s a shame.

We are lucky in Canada to have equality of health care access to all residents. It’s a right, but that’s not always the answer and shared with all residents of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, recently in central Canada a perfectly healthy young boy passed away of H1N1 within days of catching the flu. During the years and flu season, this government must implement extra measures to monitor and treat all residents of the NWT equally and not just regarding the flu, but all medical conditions. We all know how fast medical

conditions can progress; even a one or two-month situation could mean a matter of life and death.

I expressed in several Member’s statements over the past two years I’ve been here that our community health centre staff and nurses are working very hard in trying to ensure the medical services they can, but they need this government’s help, Mr. Speaker. The government needs to devote resources to ensure the problems do not affect quality of care to all residents. The government needs to ensure that the shortages in small, remote communities aren’t always bearing the brunt of it all.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about Highway No. 6. I have raised the issue previously with the department, and the department has responded. I would like to thank the Minister for putting infrastructure dollars into the reconstruction of Highway No. 6 to a chipseal state from kilometre 67 to kilometre 90.

Mr. Speaker, the current allocation of capital is sufficient to complete that portion of the highway. The department has completed the work that many residents consider the most dangerous part of the highway.

Mr. Speaker, my contention is that the government must complete the chipsealing of Highway No. 6 100 percent. The residents of Fort Resolution would be interested to hear if the department has a strategy on completing this road. With the number of announcements made by the federal government in the last couple of years, I am sure we can identify funds to complete Highway No. 6.

To date, Mr. Speaker, the department has committed to complete aggregate production, culvert replacement, widening of the road, base construction and chipsealing for 26 kilometres of Highway No. 6. However, Mr. Speaker, there remains about 40 kilometres of that highway that is wide enough and needs to be brought to a chipseal state.

Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned before, this road is in need of some major reconstruction. I would like to see the department continue its direction. Highway No. 6 is 90 kilometres long; however, only 27 kilometres of this highway is currently chipsealed, with another 23 kilometres planned for chipseal. I would like to see the department implement a plan to complete this highway and make a commitment to chipseal the remaining 40

kilometres of Highway No. 6. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I wish to speak on vandalism and how it is hurtful to people. The Deh Cho Drum reports that it has been a very disturbing time for a family in Fort Simpson. The grave of Marc Andre Lapierre, who died at the age if 18 in 1996, was desecrated last week. Mark Andre loved fire trucks, so a model of a red fire truck was placed under protective glass as a memorial on his grave. However, vandals damaged the fire truck beyond repair and left the site in disorder. This is a terrible thing. It causes a resurgence of grief to the family. My sympathies, Mr. Speaker, go out to the family for this unkindness done.

Mark Andre’s cousin, Yannick Lapierre, is quoted in the Deh Cho Drum as asking: “Why would they do that? What is the point of doing something like that?” Editor of the newspaper, Roxanna Thompson, repeats that question. She also questions how it is the village of Fort Simpson could be a place where this could happen. Ms. Thompson thinks residents should speak out and let everyone know that vandalism isn’t acceptable.

Like other communities, vandalism occurs in Fort Simpson. It is usually in the form of spray painted words on signs, sidewalks and sometimes it goes as far as damage on empty buildings. Vandalism is a costly problem and can make a community look unsightly. It shows a lack of respect.

In this case, one or two people did something worse, with the desecration of a grave. The RCMP are treating this case very seriously and have asked anyone with information about the vandalism to phone the RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers. As the Deh Cho Drum said, this particular incident by vandals hurt and disturbed the entire community. I say let’s pull together so that we can, first, catch the vandals and, second, help prevent future acts of this type. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to remind NWT

residents of something they probably knew, but maybe from time to time need to be reminded of, and that has to do with coverage for medical travel.

Mr. Speaker, we have very good medical travel coverage for residents of the Northwest Territories. However, what people need to be reminded of is the only medical travel the GNWT pays for through your health insurance is travel that originates in the Northwest Territories. So, Mr. Speaker, when NWT residents travel, and I believe they travel very extensively and I believe statistics would prove that NWT residents probably travel in other parts of Canada and to foreign countries more than average on a per capita basis, but when we travel in Canada, if we got into a medical emergency situation, I believe that if we produced our NWT health care card we would receive medical attention at a Canadian institution that provides health service.

However, if you need to be transported to that medical attention in an ambulance, on an airplane from a site that was remote to medical help, that particular travel cost would not be covered by the GNWT because it did not originate in the GNWT. Especially to parents who have students who are attending school outside of the Northwest Territories, if you are a student, if your child is involved in an accident, for example in Edmonton or anyplace they may be attending post-secondary school, and needs to be transported to a medical facility by ambulance, again those kinds of expenses are not covered.

It is amazing, actually, how cheap medical insurance is if you need to purchase it. I know during the height of the SARS crisis, one of my sons went to Japan. I went to an airport kiosk and bought him medical insurance to bring him home if he got ill. It was actually quite inexpensive, but we need to remember to do that.

Mr. Speaker, thinking back to the time when I was Minister, too, someone was skiing in Quebec and broke their back. They received their medical attention, but they needed to get home, back to where their family was. Those are the kinds of things that can happen. A person driving from Inuvik to Edmonton had a heart attack on the Yukon side of the border. He needed to get to Edmonton for medical attention and again, because that incident did not occur in the Northwest Territories, that medical travel was not covered.

So today I just wanted to remind people of the NWT to buy medical insurance for travel. It’s inexpensive and you never know when you’ll need it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to a concern that several Members have raised quite well here in the House and it’s the concern for the lack of support for the Canada 55-plus Games that will be held next year in Brockville, Ontario, in 2010.

Mr. Speaker, the issue is this: our government has had a history of supporting this program in the past for $50,000 each and every second year. Mr. Speaker, the issue here is this year the government, out of the blue, has decided not to support this program. Mr. Speaker, it seems to be a bit of a shame when we have a $1.3 billion budget and there is nowhere in any cupboard of government finances we could find that type of money. Not looking in the little jars of MACA, not looking in the big pots in Transportation, not looking in the little slush over in Health? There is nowhere anywhere we can find a collective way of finding a little bit of money?

I think the point posed by Member Bisaro the other day of why couldn’t multi departments work together to help support our seniors was a great approach of saying this.

Mr. Speaker, we have seen many times supplementary appropriations come forward and ask for specific amounts of money for specific projects that are very important. I think supporting the seniors of the Northwest Territories is very important, Mr. Speaker. I would encourage the Government House Leader as well as Finance Minister, Mr. Michael Miltenberger, to consider this. He controls the purse strings of that supplementary appropriation if he ever needed to dip into it to support some important initiative. I would be very surprised if anyone from this House questioned it in a way of it being thought of as irresponsible. If anything, we would probably champion the government in thinking seniors are important. It is about time you show it.

Mr. Speaker, the seniors are looking for $50,000 to help their organization of the games to help book hotels, help coordinate jackets, and it really goes to the fundamentals of helping our seniors. They help the youth out there so they can participate in multi-sport games. When has anyone ever heard that not engaging our seniors and getting them out there is the right approach? Mr. Speaker, if anything, there are a ton of studies out there that say make sure you support them and keep them active and get their minds moving.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will have questions to the Minister of Finance, who should be taking a lead role. As well, we should be encouraging all Members of this House and anyone reading transcripts should be encouraging the people out

there to e-mail the Minister of Finance to support this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t often get this opportunity, but I would like to acknowledge two of the Pages that are serving in the House today, two fine upstanding young men from Fort Smith: Mr. Kyle Payne and Mr. Randall Maidl. I thank them for their work that they have done and they have been good ambassadors for the community of Fort Smith. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

I would like to welcome folks in the gallery today. Welcome to the Chamber. I hope you are enjoying the proceedings.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I spoke of the reconstruction of Highway No. 6. I have questions for the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, how much money is being spent on Highway No. 6 for the reconstruction over which period? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, the total investment for Highway No. 6 is $6.9 million over three years and will be focusing on key areas of that portion of road that needs upgrading and reconstruction. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, what should they -- Fort Resolution and people coming into the community on a highway -- see at the end of the reconstruction of Highway No. 6? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the intention of reconstruction of Highway No. 6 is to improve the road base in preparation of having a final chipseal service on the road, and at the end of

the project we should expect to have a safer road and certainly a smoother ride for all the travelling public and a very improved link in our transportation system. Thank you.

Beyond the three years that is currently in the infrastructure plan, is there a further timeline for reconstruction activities of Highway No. 6? Is there something planned beyond three years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the current plan is to have the road reconstructed and chipsealed from, I believe, kilometre 68 to the community. It will, as the Member indicates, require further investment.

Our goal as a department is to do the whole road over the long term. Right now we have not identified the resources to complete the last part of the project, but that is our intention, is to find the resources and bring it forward as part of our capital planning and when the time is appropriate to do so. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to have the Minister do any speculation, but with the assumption that money will be found to complete Highway No. 6, how long does it normally take to complete the reconstruction of approximately 65 kilometres of highway 100 percent to a chipseal state? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is asking a very difficult question because it really depends on the level of reconstruction and availability of materials and how far the design program has gone. In a lot of cases that we found, very much is dependent on how much resources we can secure for the completion of the road. So there are a number of factors that we have to consider, but the biggest one is being able to attract the dollars that are required to do the final part of this road and that is what we are working on right now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Environment and Natural Resources Minister about the environmental regulatory reform issues that I raised in the previous session. The point was that we could improve the regulatory processes by ensuring that board appointments are not allowed to lapse. The Minister replied to my request for information on which of our appointed seats were vacant and his information shows we have been diligent. I then asked what efforts are being made to see that our

federal and First Nations partners are keeping their appointments up to date. Part of my previous question, as well, dealt with putting measures in place to begin confirming new appointments in expectation of their coming vacancy. Can the Minister tell me what measures are now in place to ensure that there are timely appointments made? I will leave it at that for now, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue of board appointments ties clearly into the issue of regulatory reform and the challenge… There are two pieces, the challenge of making sure our appointments are up to date and then through the existing process, and we have a system in place to track that and we use lead time to consult the appropriate parties. But the bigger issue is the consistent demand we have made and are continuing to make to the federal government, that simple regulatory reform can start immediately by giving the Northwest Territories government the authority to make the board appointments for the positions that they are eligible to do so. That would avoid all the issues of quorum. It would give northern control over a very fundamental issue and would help speed up the efficiency of the regulatory process. That is the message we have been taking to the federal government. Thank you.

I appreciate that response from the Minister. I do agree with him. What progress is being made? What is the response that we are hearing back on that? I know that has been something we have been raising even probably in the previous Assemblies. I know it is getting additional attention here. What is the status? What is our progress? What can be done to expedite that? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has followed up in writing on the McCrank report. A number of weeks ago we were in Ottawa. We met with Minister Strahl to talk about the issue of regulatory reform. We talked about the board appointments, a clear definition of mandates, clearing up policy overlap. Where there are grey areas, we avoid things like the Giant Mine. We met again in Calgary a week or so ago. We raised the same issue very well and passionately by myself, by Minister McLeod, by other northern folks that were there. It is a political issue. The federal government could make the decision tomorrow. They are not yet ready to act on regulatory reform. For us the plan is clear. That is the plan we laid out for them. Thank you.

Again, I appreciate those comments and the update. Mr. Speaker, I feel strongly that this is the same issue. The other

aspect of regulatory reform was the appropriate level of funding provided to our regulatory agencies. It was acknowledged that that was insufficient. What progress is being made on that front? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in the position put forward by other governments and put forward by all the Ministers and the Premier when we meet with the federal Ministers, there is the issue of board appointments. There is the issue of land use frameworks. There is the issue of clarification and fixing up of the current process and adequately funding the system that is now in place, which is still a relatively young system. There is a package that we put forward that we think will help us move on regulatory reform that won’t require any legislative change. It won’t require the reopening of land claims. It could be done immediately. That is one of the issues that we put on the table to the Minister. Thank you.

Again, I agree with the approach being taken as stated by the Minister. What progress is being made here? Obviously, I am assuming from the responses, that we have not increased resources to these agencies. There has been no increase by the federal government. Is that the situation? Is there an expectation on when we might expect to see that? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has not officially responded to the McCrank report yet. We are using, and are continuing to use, every opportunity to press the case more and more for the need for regulatory reform. We are doing a lot of other things to get ready to take over, devolve authorities to us, our planning on water, the planning on our land use framework. Let’s get the regulatory reform done. We tell the federal government that regulatory reform as we are putting it out can be done now. It will move us very clearly down the path towards a more efficient system, provide certainty in the industry. We are doing what we can.

The federal government wants to make a decision. They haven’t decided exactly what decision they are going to make. But we are continuing to push our case at every table we have access to. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I would like to follow up on some of the comments he made in his Minister’s statement today. I would like to, first of

all, commend the communities that were involved in the pilot projects, the communities of Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Good Hope and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. I agree with the Minister that the New Deal is working, but I am still concerned for community capacity related to capital projects and community infrastructure. I would like to ask the Minister, the Minister stated in his remarks that MACA’s role is to support and mentor community governments to take on these responsibilities. I need to ask him how MACA supports communities that struggle to advance their capital program. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When a community has a project that they are working on, they require assistance from MACA. Our regional staff will go into the community at their request and assist them in working out their capital plans and also advising them of funding and anything else, any other help that they might need, then the community would take it from there. We are available from the regional office to assist the communities. Thank you.

Thanks to the Minister for that explanation. I appreciate that the regional staff are there to assist. I am sure they do that on a regular basis, but I am particularly concerned about the lack of human resource capacity to deal with capital projects, specifically the expertise that is required to manage projects and so on. I know that MACA often works with the NWT Association of Communities to address human resource needs at the community level. I know that there is a plan in the works to develop those needs. The technical expertise I don’t think has been addressed. I would like to know if MACA has any plans to fund the NWT Association of Communities for a PY or half a PY to assist communities with their capital projects. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, at this point there is no plan. This is something that we can have that discussion with NWTAC. I do know that the communities that do put forward a lot of projects, there are a few of them that have hired their own expertise. There’s a community that’s hired a consultant and their own project manager to bring the project forward. But we’re willing to have that discussion with NWTAC and we’ll go from there. Thank you.

Thanks to the Minister again. If communities hire their own expertise to assist with the project to be a project manager or to provide the technical engineering and architectural and whatever assistance, are those costs undertaken by the community? Are they available to be funded through the community infrastructure contribution

for capital infrastructure or through gas tax and other funds which communities receive? Thank you.

The Member is correct; the communities do have the option of hiring whoever they want to assist with their project, and that funding does come out of the capital money that’s advanced to the community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Thanks again, Mr. Speaker. Again I’d like to ask the Minister, with the increase in the number of community-owned buildings and infrastructure that is now coming on stream through the money that communities have, there are associated maintenance costs for these buildings. I’d like to know how MACA plans to assist communities with these extra maintenance costs. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it is true that there is more operation and maintenance required. The operation and maintenance budget is reviewed every two years and if adjustments have to be made, they’re made at that time. The last couple of years, recognizing the fact that there is new infrastructure, the O and M budgets have gone up for the communities and they’re well appreciative of that. But it is reviewed every two years and if adjustments need to be made, then they’ll be made then.

We continue to work with the federal government and bring our case for the need for more operation and maintenance along with some of the infrastructure dollars we’re receiving from them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Environment in regards to my statement and realizing that the implications we’re seeing with climate change, and especially that records have clearly stated that the Mackenzie Delta is the most impacted with global warming, with high rising temperatures, but, more importantly, the effects we’re seeing in regards to melting permafrost and the erosion on the riverbanks on the Mackenzie Delta, and also the effects we’re seeing on communities that I mentioned, Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik.

Mr. Speaker, we, as government, have to ensure that we’re proactive in regards to climate change, and not reactive and wait for something to happen. I’d like to ask the Minister of Environment exactly

what is this government doing to mitigate the challenges of climate change and, more importantly, the effects we’re seeing in our communities today such as shoreline erosion and the possibility of having to move our communities.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the issue of what are we doing to mitigate the impact of global warming, climate change, we, as a Legislature, have committed to put $60 million into alternative energy to be able to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, to look at expanding wind, biomass, hydro, possibly geothermal, all with an aim towards reducing our greenhouse gasses and doing our share as global citizens and being responsible. When it comes to actual on-the-ground issues, we are spending millions of dollars in communities to deal with things related to permafrost, related to shore erosion in Tuk, communities up in the north that have pilings that have gone rotten that have had to be replaced. We’ve spent extensive amounts of money doing that. We’re looking at converting to more efficient forms of fossil fuels like natural gas. It was done in Inuvik. If there’s a pipeline that goes ahead, there are studies to be able to look at converting communities that are close enough. We are looking at a hydro expansion out at the Taltson to get a line up into the North Slave Geologic Province, and if we do that, we’ll cut our current greenhouse gasses in half. So we at work across the board, trying to do our share and be responsible citizens of this world. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I have to chuckle to myself talking about greenhouse gasses here. Mr. Speaker, it is warming up to a point where we’re actually seeing the communities eroding to a point where they may have to relocate. So I’d like to ask the Minister, does this government have a program to deal with shoreline erosion which is a definite threat from climate change? Do we have a program such as that to shore up our communities so that we can ensure that those communities will be there so we can implement some of the programs the Minister is talking about, instead of having to possibly move our communities.

Mr. Speaker, we are of the opinion, as well, that climate change and the effect of global warming is no laughing matter and that it’s affecting us that live in the North the fastest and the most intensely. But we must also recognize that there are some nature forces that have been going on since the world began: the river valley erosion, the shore erosion. It’s being speeded up and accelerated by global warming. We recognize that. We’re spending millions of dollars to work with communities to deal with the

issues across the North. We’ve taken out some broad government-wide strategies that I think are very responsible to help us deal with that.

So we recognize that issue. Mother Nature is on the move. Some things we can deal with; some things we will have to adapt to. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, someone that drives along the Mackenzie River in the Mackenzie Delta between Aklavik and Fort McPherson can visually see how cabins are falling into the river. The riverbanks are eroding at such a fast rate that the communities are in the same situation.

I don’t think the Minister gets it. This is a serious problem. We have to do something to ensure that we shore up the infrastructure of communities such as Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk. We’ve heard from communities such as Sachs Harbour where they’re seeing the banks on Banks Island. This is a real problem and I don’t think we can slough it off by basically saying, well, we’re going to reduce our greenhouse emissions, because there may not be the infrastructure to emit those greenhouse gases so we don’t do anything about it.

So I’d like to ask the Minister again, what are you doing for communities like Aklavik to ensure that they basically have the security by way of finding ways of shoring up the banks along the river? It is in the centre of the Delta, it is along the shoreline, which basically their shoreline is eroding and it could possibly affect the community to the point where we may have to move that community.

Mr. Speaker, I believe every Member in this House gets it. I think every Northerner gets it when it comes to climate change. We’re not sloughing off anything. We’re spending tens of millions of dollars with communities to deal with their infrastructure issues, the issues and challenges they’re facing from nature. Some things we’ll be able to mitigate, some things we’re going to have to adapt to. In some cases Mother Nature will have the final say. We have to be prepared for that. But we are on this with communities and we all get it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe if the Minister really wants to get it, maybe they can have a program for communities like Aklavik, to ensure that we have a shoreline erosion program that’s there for communities that are along the shoreline of the river systems and in regards to lakes and whatnot. So when we see this erosion taking place, we actually have a program out there that people can access public funds to shore up their communities so that they are in the future. Can the Minister commit to that?

Mr. Speaker, there has been, and continues to be, work done

with our government through MACA, through Public Works, on the issue of shoreline erosion as it affects the community of Aklavik, as it affects the community of Tuk, the federal government is aware of the issue, and we’re going to continue to work with the communities to deal with this issue. As it accelerates, it may require different types of action, but this has been an issue that has been there for hundreds of years. The sad reality is it seems to be intensifying as the climate warms, and the ice melts and the water levels rise. But we are going to continue to be there working with the communities to deal with these issues. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve been here a couple of years and I hear about highways, highways and highways, even chipsealing highways and investment to the highways. Mr. Speaker, sometimes it’s really good to dream, if only we had a highway in the Sahtu.

I want to ask the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Speaker, if he could let me know when he’s going to table the economic analysis of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, the economic analysis has gone through its first draft. We’ve had opportunity to peruse it and there is still some review that’s going to have to take place. I don’t believe that it will be ready for this session, so I’m sure we’ll be able to table it at the winter session. Thank you

Mr. Speaker, I was hoping the Minister would give us the green light to table the economic analysis. In light of his kind response to the tabling, I would ask the Minister if he would give me some of the brief highlights as to what the economic analysis is saying about the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is asking if I’m going to table it and I’ve responded by stating that I would not be able to do that until the next session. I may be able to share the document with him in advance of that and make it public.

Mr. Speaker, in a nutshell, the review has come back and shows that investment into the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the $1.8 billion or $2 billion required will have a positive return and there are some really good opportunities as a result of having a highway built down the Mackenzie Valley and that’s reflected in the document. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to sitting with the Minister and sharing the document, hopefully on the winter road somewhere, that we can have a discussion on the dreams here.

I want to ask the Minister in terms of his comments on the good opportunity and positive returns, how this type of message gets to Ottawa in terms of would we have this information here. How can we further impress upon the federal government that this is a good investment in the Northwest Territories, a good investment for Canada and how do we get Ottawa to move on this? What else can the Minister provide this House as to get the attention of Ottawa?

Mr. Speaker, I think Ottawa has been very well versed as to our desire to see the Mackenzie Valley road project move forward. We’ve made a number of contacts over the years and more recently had some face-to-face discussion with a number of different Ministers. The Premier has also raised it as well as other Ministers.

Mr. Speaker, our plan right now is to take the economic analysis, package that up with more detailed information that we’re going to require, which is going to be reflected in what we are calling a project description report which will be done over the next while. That’s our focus at this time.

The portion from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk is being compiled, information is being compiled as we speak, and we are currently working to have a plan in place to do the remaining sections so that we can have a complete document that would build our business case. We’ll have a firm base study, we’ll have analysis and we’ll also have the economic analysis that could be part of the package which we would be able to present to the federal government and hopefully attract some investment for this new road that we all desire. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I take the view and the analogy of Ottawa just like a donkey, you know, in terms of the Mackenzie Valley Highway. You know the trail, you’ve studied the trail. It’s like putting the donkey in front of the trail and trying to make it go -- you’ve got to tug it, yell at it, push it, but it still won’t go even though all the benefits are over there. So I guess, in terms of this Mackenzie Valley Highway -- because so far now we have a goat road into the Sahtu region -- I want to ask the Minister regarding his discussions with his colleagues and also with the federal Minister in terms of sections of the Mackenzie Valley Highway. For example, like Wrigley to Norman Wells, I know he talked somewhat of the Inuvik and Tuk roadwork. Can we look at something like that to put in front of the federal Minister?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know if I’ll use his analogy for any of our discussions. I think the federal government has recognized that this is an important piece of infrastructure for the Northwest Territories and they have been continually investing over the last long term with all the different programs that have come forward. It has enabled us to improve a lot of the portions of the winter roads, for example, and great improvements in the Member’s riding. It has allowed us to build 34 bridges and most of them are in the Member’s riding, and it has allowed us to do a lot of improvement which has expanded the season, it has improved the safety features on the road, and they are intended to continue to do so.

Mr. Speaker, we are trying to work so that we can create a partnership, provide a document that will have a lot of the answers that the federal government may be asking, and really building a solid business case that will attract some serious consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Housing some questions. I just recently got a call from Trout Lake and a lot of the elders are getting letters asking for more information, T-4 revenue statements. These letters are directed to the elders, but they’re actually non-English speaking. Slavey is their first language and they’re getting these letters, and Housing, for good reason, is getting non-responsiveness. So when that happens, programs are in jeopardy of being cancelled or else transferred to other people. The band manager said can Housing at least cc the band office so that they can help and assist them with filling out the necessary paperwork that Housing needs and/or at least have staff visit the elders and translate these letters. I think it’s a very valid point. To expect an elder to reply to a technical request is I don’t think a fair way of doing things. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member makes a valid point and I think it’s a concern that we’ve heard on a few occasions. If there is an issue with the fact that some of the elders in his riding are unable to understand the letters, then I think we can work

with the band or whoever we need to, to make sure they have a very good understanding of the letters so then they’d be able to respond back to the department. Thank you.

How much work would it take to, like the band manager suggested, if they’re going to write a letter to an elder, to cc it to the band office so that they can at least know that there’s a request for more information to the elder or even, indeed, if it’s an approval letter, the elder is not even going to know that either, Mr. Speaker. Often -- and I’ve brought it up in the House before -- elders will receive a letter and they’ll just put it on the table until somebody comes along that understands English, had some schooling, et cetera, then they’ll open it up and ask what that letter is. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll commit to the Member that I’ll have that discussion with the department as to whether we can cc the band or not. If it’s confidential information, then I’m assuming that we’re not going to be able to. The elder could take the letter to the band, I suppose, and have a discussion with them, the interpretation. But I’ll follow up on the Member’s request and see if we’re able to cc the community government on the letters that are sent out to the elders. Thank you.

Another issue that the elders are raising there is the department officials usually ask for T-4s, Revenue Canada statements. So they’ve filled out applications before and they just don’t understand why they’ve got to keep filling out applications every time they ask for a program. Their situation is not going to change very much over a year, especially if it’s a senior. It’s like a fixed income. So they don’t understand why they have to keep filling out applications, Mr. Speaker. Do they have to fill out one application or for every program? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, usually the process is they would fill out an application for each program that they apply to. The only one that I know of that they don’t have to apply to every year -- their name is basically kept on the list -- is the Seniors Preventative Home Maintenance Program. Once they’re on that list, then they would just continue to receive the service year after year. But as far as I know, they do have to apply for each particular program. The Member is correct, though, the senior’s income usually doesn’t change very much and we may have to take that into consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In this community’s case, I think the request is simple, that the elders need a better understanding of how the programming works. So can the Minister look at, I don’t know if it’s an elder

workshop with a particular focus on the programs that they have for them? Can the Minister work towards that? It’s probably something that many, many small communities have challenges with throughout our North as well. Thank you.

That is a concern that’s raised across the Northwest Territories. Housing has taken some steps and they do have training workshops for folks that apply for particular programs. There was some concern that some of the seniors didn’t understand how the programs worked and would somebody else be able to take it in their place. The answer was yes. We made those arrangements. But we’re always willing to see how we can improve our services, especially to elders that don’t understand the English language very well. It’s not their first language. So we’re always willing to look at ways that we can improve our service to them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I raised the issue, as other Members have, of our concerns about the lack of support for the seniors who wish to go to the Canada 55 Games.

Mr. Speaker, if I had time today, of course, I’d question the Minister of...Sandy Lee as Minister responsible, and, of course, that’s [email protected]. But my questions are to Minister Miltenberger directly, because he is truly in charge of the purse strings on this initiative and I think he could bring forward some type of supp process. So, Mr. Speaker, directly to Minister Miltenberger, the Minister of Finance, [email protected], would he be willing to find a way to find $50,000 to help support the seniors? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories provides tremendous support to seniors. We have some of the best seniors’ benefits in the country. The Minister of Health and Social Services has indicated a willingness to work with the NWT Seniors’ Society to look at a regional type of games that would maximize the ability of seniors in the communities to actually get out and take part in an event much more egalitarian, much more widespread. That’s the focus, and business plans will come forward reflecting that commitment. The

Minister has already made that commitment in this House. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate our thespian Minister with his full-of-interest and wonderful-sounding answer. Of course, if I had time today I’d ask [email protected] the question about how we can do this, but the reality is the fact that we have to get the money from the Minister of Finance.

Mr. Speaker, they’re not asking for a lot of money and the government seems to keep turning around and saying it should be regional only. Mr. Speaker, what is holding this government back, from a finance point of view, of finding a way to find $50,000 in our $1.3 billion budget? Thank you.

The reality is that there are far more needs than there are resources. The reality is we make choices every day. The reality is that the focus of the government is on working with all the seniors in the Northwest Territories in all areas of their need, and when it comes to the recreation piece, the interest has been and the indication is that we do a lot of work at the regional level to maximize the involvement of seniors in the communities often who never get any other opportunity to take part in an event such as the regional games.

That’s the focus. I think it’s a very good idea, it maximizes input and that is what the Minister has committed to working with communities and the NWT seniors to try to make a reality. Thank you.

Well, if I may offer some reality, as well, because I would like to believe the Minister that this is the only reality, but I’m not sure I’m prepared to be deluded in that direction of lack a little faith on how good these things can be.

Mr. Speaker, the last Canada 55-plus Games brought about 100 participants and about 50 percent of those participants were from the communities. So this is a territorial initiative. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister of Finance, because he talks about finances and money not being available, how much money does this government make off interest base alone of our capital budget that isn’t spent? Wouldn’t there be enough money on interest alone to cover the costs for our Seniors Games? Thank you.

The issue is about choices and resources that we have and decisions to put the money to the best use for the maximum number of people. That is what we’re talking about, and we are. We are making a conscious effort in some areas to go into debt, there is no doubt about that, on the short-term basis to fund some of our capital to keep our priorities moving.

In this case, we’ve made a choice to look at putting the money to get max amount of involvement by

seniors at the regional level and I think it’s a good focus and the more seniors we keep active, the better.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really like the last comment from the Minister, which is the more seniors we can keep active, the better. Well, Mr. Speaker, there’s no proof that this isn’t just as good. So I’d like to ask the Minister, is it his individual policy position that this is not a go for seniors or is he going to work to see if he can find a way to turn this into a reality? Because it’s time we give our seniors a treat and stop tricking them. Thank you.

The reality remains, as we’ve said, the focus is going to be on regional type of games, working with the NWT Seniors’ Society and communities to get as many seniors as we can involved. The Member indicated there’s no indication that this isn’t any better, there is no indication that it is better. We know that we can get far more involvement by focusing on working with the communities and the Seniors’ Society. That’s where we’re trying to put the resources we do have available in this area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that recent developments of the H1N1 swine flu shows how fast it can affect people and, God forbid, communities, Mr. Speaker, and given other medical conditions deteriorate in a matter of months, will the government commit to providing double the doctor visits and detailed in policies with the Minister of Health and Social Services in our small and remote communities? I’m not just talking about Nunakput, Mr. Speaker, I’m talking about the Beaufort-Delta and Nahendeh and Tu Nedhe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently for the Beaufort-Delta region, doctors’ visits are scheduled for every five weeks. I do understand that under certain circumstances and weather conditions that doctors’ visits are longer than five weeks. Part of the Foundation for Change Action Plan speaks to an NWT medical model where we could have more flexibility to enhance doctor coverage in small communities and I look forward to working with the Members on the other

side through that process so that we can enhance doctor coverage, especially in small communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve been pretty flexible lately. These past two years I’ve been here trying to work with her and she is doing a good job, Mr. Speaker. Given that the medical staff is in demand all over Canada and the Northwest Territories, and the small, remote communities are always left behind during staffing problems, Mr. Speaker, I’m asking the Minister of Health and Social Services to provide Nunakput a listing of how many medical positions have been budgeted for Nunakput, and how many positions are vacant, and what the ministry to planning on doing in response to the additional strain placed on the system during these demanding times. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I agree that the Member has been flexible for the last two years. What I meant is that our medical model is not as flexible to respond to the needs of our communities. Mr. Speaker, right now we don’t have a permanent doctor in our NWT communities and regions other than Yellowknife and Inuvik. In all other places, even if there are doctor PYs funded, we’re just not able to have permanent doctor residents. We’re lucky in the Beaufort-Delta that we have Dr. De Klerk and his staff and he attracts a following, so to speak. I believe there are about six to seven doctor positions there. The challenge is recruiting and retaining them. So when I’m talking about flexibility, the physicians have shown interest in creating an NWT medical model so that we could hire doctors and then give them incentive to travel to smaller communities so that we could have better coverage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.