Good afternoon, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. At the appropriate time today, I will table our action plan, “A Shared Path Towards Wellness – Mental Health and Addictions, 2012-2015.”

The new action plan will help improve mental health and reduce addiction in the NWT. A Shared Path Towards Wellness will create a more efficient system that will allow residents to receive assessment, treatment and support services when and where they need them. The three-year action plan builds on the existing system and incorporates innovative ideas from our stakeholders to better coordinate and integrate our services.

The action plan has three key elements.

The first is community focus and engagement. Communities have said that they are in the best position to determine their own culturally appropriate solutions. This plan will let communities drive and guide community-based mental health and addiction programs with our support, not the other way around.

The second key element is collaborative partnerships with other departments and agencies. This plan ensures that departments and agencies will work collectively to address mental health and addiction issues. An example is ensuring that effective additcions programming is available for residents in our correctional facilities.

The third key element is to develop an integrated continuum of care. The action plan will be building upon our existing integrated services delivery model. Service will be integrated to ensure that

front-line service providers will work together. There will also be integration from community-level services through regional services to territorial services to create a seamless system. While every effort will be made to make services available at the community level, there will still be some specialized services that can be more efficiently delivered at the regional or territorial level.

Mr. Speaker, this action plan was developed by engaging key stakeholders in the addiction and mental health fields. It included health care professionals, social services professionals, GNWT departments, Aboriginal governments and community groups. We also talked to people from across the territory who have experienced mental health and addiction issues and have been clients in our system. I would like to thank everyone involved in the creation of this action plan.

This action plan sets out the direction we will be heading during the next three years. It already builds on work the department is doing to strengthen our service delivery by focusing on four goals:

•

promoting understanding, awareness and

acceptance;

•

focusing on the person;

•

improving the availability of services; and

•

improving the effectiveness of services.

The strategy will lead us to expand culturally appropriate on-the-land healing programs delivered by communities. It will support offering more community-based addictions treatment programs like the Matrix program in Fort Smith. It will ensure that existing services like the Nats’ejee Keh Treatment Centre and detoxification services are effective.

We have heard from so many people that addictions is the key issue in the NWT. We know that addictions break families apart, destroy communities and rob individuals of a happy, productive life.

To better understand community issues and community solutions to addictions, I will be establishing a public forum. This forum will include experts in the addictions field and members of the

public. I have asked MLAs to nominate individuals who they feel would be an asset to this forum.

We can accomplish a lot in the next three years to achieve this Assembly’s vision of strong individuals, families and communities. However, for this action plan to be successful, we will need to work together. Government departments, Aboriginal governments and community groups need to make a collective commitment to improving access to services and building strong communities for their people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The discovery of diamonds at Lac de Gras in 1991 marked the beginning of a new economic era for the Northwest Territories. Since then, the mining industry has become the backbone of our economy, creating over 2,600 direct jobs and an annual economic impact of over $750 million. However, we have not had a comprehensive plan in place to ensure we make the most of our mineral resources. Today I would like to talk to you about this government’s plan to develop a mineral development strategy.

First, I would like to mention that this is NWT Mining Week. We celebrate the substantial contribution this industry makes to our territory. On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to thank the people whose efforts ensure the continued success of the mining industry and encourage everyone to take part in Mining Week activities put on by the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

Mineral exploration and development has driven our NWT economy and offered unprecedented opportunities for investment, employment and business development. This has been especially true for our northern Aboriginal community. Our approach, to date, has been to maximize the benefits of our resource development by building business capacity in our communities, corporations and businesses.

We are also investing in the education and skill development of our youth who will eventually empower and guide its growth. We have had success in these areas, but there needs to be a long-term plan. Our vision is to realize, responsibly and sustainably, the full potential of our rich resource base and use it to ensure lasting prosperity for NWT residents and their communities.

A mineral development strategy will allow us to do this and will guide decision-making for development of this resource into the future.

This mineral initiative complements our work on a comprehensive sustainable economic development strategy. And, like the work we are completing on that project, this strategy will be a collaborative effort. We will work in partnership with the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to develop this strategy, with the GNWT as the lead.

The next step towards realizing this mineral development strategy is the development of a discussion paper and project charter that will set the stage for full regional and stakeholder engagement.

Throughout the process, we will be seeking input from Members of this Legislative Assembly. The collaborative approach that we have identified will also incorporate input from Aboriginal governments, communities, industry, small businesses and NWT residents to ensure its long-term success.

This extensive engagement process will ensure that all voices are heard and will result in a strategy and action plan that reflects the needs and potential of all regions of our territory, one that is responsive as economic circumstances change and which meets the standards set by the GNWT’s sustainable development policies.

Through the comprehensive communications plan that will accompany our work, we will increase awareness of the value and importance of mineral development in the NWT and greater understanding and support for effective, planned and responsible mineral development projects.

Moreover, the development of a mineral development strategy will send a clear signal of the value we place on our mining sector. It will demonstrate certainty and stability during this time of devolution negotiations and transition, and it will serve to increase industry confidence as well as exploration expenditures in our region.

The mineral development sector employs hundreds of NWT residents and results in more than half a billion dollars in annual purchases from NWT businesses. The work that we are doing to create this mineral development strategy will build on this success.

It will ensure that mineral exploration and mining industries have the opportunity to provide sustainable economic investment, activity and employment in the NWT for many years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Abernethy.

Mr. Speaker, June 10 to 16, 2012, has been designated National Public Service Week. This week provides the opportunity for Canadians to celebrate the work, accomplishments and contributions of public service employees. This year’s theme is “Celebrating our Commitments!”

Everyone in this Chamber has witnessed the remarkable dedication of public service employees and can attest to their commitment to serving the people of the Northwest Territories and to implementing our vision of Believing in People and Building on the Strengths of Northerners. On Wednesday the Premier’s Awards for Excellence will be presented in our Great Hall to recognize public service employees who have demonstrated excellence in their work. Congratulations to all those who have been nominated.

Recently members of the public service had an opportunity to hear the president of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada address the career challenges and opportunities in the public sector. This group promotes good practices and innovations in the public sector and helps to educate citizens about public administration matters and issues. The launch of our new regional chapter is welcome news and I am looking forward to seeing the development of this association dedicated to excellence in the public service.

Recruitment and retention of resourceful, dedicated staff is essential in building a professional public service. We are fortunate in the North to have employees of high calibre, who consistently display commitment, innovation and creativity. As you are aware, the GNWT is currently recruiting summer students who represent the next generation of public servants and who bring new energy to the workplace. I am pleased to advise that as of yesterday, 241 summer students have been hired by our departments, boards and agencies; 52 percent are indigenous Aboriginal students and 46 percent are indigenous non-Aboriginal students.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is mindful of the challenging economic times we are currently facing. Departments, boards and agencies are ultimately responsible for determining their student hiring, depending on their specific needs, operations and budgets. The Department of Human Resources provides guidance and assistance to managers on the summer student hiring process, including the application of the Affirmative Action Policy.

The Summer Student Employment Program is a win-win for both the students and the territorial government. Students gain hands-on experience to complement their formal education and the

government benefits from the innovation and creativity of young Northerners. To ensure GNWT summer students understand their role in the public service and to provide them with a positive work experience, the Department of Human Resources has redesigned the summer student orientation sessions. The orientation introduces them to employment practices such as use of Internet and cell phones and benefits such as leave for medical appointments. Summer students also get involved in discussions on topics like intergenerational communications and how Cabinet works in a consensus government. Orientation sessions are being held in Yellowknife and regional centres.

It is also my pleasure during Public Service Week to recognize the array of public servants who have had long, distinguished careers with the GNWT and who are now looking to the next phase of their lives: retirement. Just a few examples of such accomplished and respected employees – and believe me, there are many more – include:

•

Mr. Sholto Douglas, renewable resource officer

with Environment and Natural Resources in Fort Smith, retiring after 37 years with the GNWT;

•

Mr. Carl McLellan, maintenance coordinator

with Public Works and Services in Norman Wells, retiring after 36 years of service;

•

Ms. Bronwyn Watters, deputy minister of

Justice, retiring after 34 years in various departments and roles; and

•

Mr. Dan Daniels, deputy minister of Education,

Culture and Employment who retired in May after nearly 33 years in service.

When individuals commit the majority of their professional lives to furthering the values and initiatives of a single organization, this is no small accomplishment. I would like to offer my thanks to all our hardworking and dedicated public servants for their hard work, commitment and service to the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is committed to continually improving our education systems, including curricula.

The department is implementing a new student information system for all schools in the Northwest Territories. The new system will hold functional grade levels, Alberta Achievement Test results, student support plans, classroom assessment and student attendance together in a single student’s

electronic file. This will allow schools, school boards and the department to more accurately track student information and assist in the overall accountability of the education system.

Aboriginal Student Achievement initiatives remain a focus of our department, Mr. Speaker. In early May we brought Aboriginal and education leaders together to discuss ASA initiatives, ensuring that their voices were heard and their expertise applied to our plans and initiatives. Our strong, independent North is built on partnerships. We cannot move forward with ASA initiatives without the support and involvement of these leaders. We have gained their commitment to ensure that ASA remains a priority within their communities and throughout the North.

In early childhood development and child care, our focus has been on child and family resource centres in full partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services. Research shows that early childhood development, from birth to age five, is directly correlated to a child’s success in adult life. Parents play a critical role during this time. We need to focus on our children from birth in order to prepare them to become active, productive, healthy citizens of the North. On the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning, $1.25 million has been re-profiled to support early childhood development.

In family and student support, our focus has been on parent and community engagement. We know that there is a dramatic relationship between parental and community involvement and a child’s success at school.

In support of Aboriginal language and culture curriculum and resource development, the Dene Kede Trails to Becoming CD-ROM resource continues to be used in schools. As well, the department recently launched language-learning applications in the five Dene languages. These apps are being used on modern tablets such as iPads and are available for free on iTunes.

In literacy, our focus has been on literacy coaches and libraries, ensuring that each region has trained literacy coordinators in their schools. Funding for five new school and community libraries was allocated, and additional training in reading instruction was offered to teachers. To assist in literacy, a series of elective courses were created to help students succeed in English courses.

Mr. Speaker, I will keep this House informed as the work in the areas of early childhood development and Aboriginal Student Achievement moves ahead. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

[English translation not provided.]

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker, Premier McLeod, Cabinet and MLAs. As we come to the close of our spring session, I would like to wish you all a happy and safe summer.

Elections are taking place for the Gwich’in Tribal Council. Good luck to all the candidates. I look forward to a positive working relationship with the leadership. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

[English translation not provided.]

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am happy to be here for the presentation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It is obvious we can have very little movement towards reconciliation without understanding the reason why people were stolen and the overall impact of the residential school.

Through its work, the commission has reached certain conclusions about the system of the residential school. The commission also asked Canadians to think about and look at the country differently. These are some hard truths, but this truth, this story leads us to look at what we have to think about. We can’t really build a true reconciliation without thinking about what really happened.

The conclusion of the commission reflects the impact of residential schools on children, on their families and on their Aboriginal culture. It also shows the repercussions that the residential schools have on our governance and our society. As Canadians, we must not forget what happened in our history and we must educate our children about the nature of Aboriginal societies and the residual effects of the residential school system. It’s going to take time and a lot of effort to be able to do that and learn about this past.

We had these residential schools for over a century. Millions of people were affected. A lot of Aboriginal people were affected negatively. We will

need some time to re-establish respect and the healing for the number of people that were affected. If we could commit all Canadians, with the help of the Canadian government, we can work together to eliminate the separation and to lead our efforts to a successful conclusion.

I would like to leave you with a quote by the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, president of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, who summarized it magnificently: “The road that we’re going down has as much importance as the goal we’re trying to achieve. There is no shortcut. When we talk about truth and reconciliation, we must all go the full distance.”

I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to express myself in my native tongue.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize my colleagues today for using their first languages and their second languages. I only know English, so I’ll be doing my statement in English. Thank you. It’s my first and only language.

I have a constituent. She’s confined to a wheelchair. She has MS. She has to attend at the Hay River Hospital from time to time for medical treatment. In the common areas of our hospital we do not have a washroom facility that is set up for a person in a wheelchair.

I have been talking about this for a long time, and about six months ago I made arrangements for my constituent to be picked up and brought to the Hay River Hospital to sit in the office of the CEO with the public administrator to explain firsthand what the challenge and what the problem was. They heard this and we were quite excited to think that we were going to get a toilet facility with gripper handles that go horizontal as opposed to on an angle, so that when someone in a wheelchair needs to use a washroom at a hospital, that they would have a facility that they could use. We were understanding that some of the money that was going to be turned back, which was the Hay River Health Authority surplus, was going to be held back so that this renovation could be done.

I cannot tell you how dismayed I am today to hear from our public administrator – and it is not his fault; I want to say that clearly it is not his fault – but they have received an updated cost for this bathroom renovation of $55,000, which is due to a CSA inspection control standard Z317. They have no money budgeted for this renovation.

This is an embarrassment. I am ashamed to have to go back and tell my constituent that this problem will not be rectified. If we should not have facilities for people with disabilities in a hospital, where should we have them? No one could go out and build a commercial building without having proper and adequate washroom facilities for people with disabilities, and yet our government owns an institution in Hay River, the second largest community in the Northwest Territories, where I have a constituent that cannot access a washroom in a public area in the hospital.

We as a government have lost our way when we have to spend $55,000 to do a bathroom renovation. I would like to get permission from the government to go and buy the gripper handle and to install it and put a raised toilet seat in a washroom in a hospital.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

I guarantee that the concerns of my constituent could absolutely and completely be addressed for less than $5,000, including labour. How many plumbers and carpenters do we have working for Public Works and Services in Hay River? How many are on staff at the hospital themselves that could not reinforce the drywall and put a horizontal bar in a washroom so that a person in a wheelchair could use the washroom?

It is a sad day; $55,000 for a washroom renovation. I am embarrassed. I am disgusted. I can’t even go back and tell my constituent. I am offering today to pay to have this fixed. I’m going to have questions, I don’t know, for the Minister of Public Works or the Minister of Health. This is not acceptable. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.

[Translation] Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to say a few words in French today. I want to thank my parents, who all spoke to me in French, and I think that helped me in my life. [Translation ends]

…a few words in French. I’d like to thank my parents for speaking French to me and my siblings all the time. I think it has helped me and my siblings during our life. The knowledge of language helps people understand different cultures, the history of different people, and in the North it is a great example. We have eight different languages, and with these different languages, everyone knows that we have a diverse culture. We do believe that

this is one of the greatest spectacular assets of the North.

All 19 Members of this Assembly need to work to make sure that languages are encouraged and promoted throughout the North.

The development of language must start at an early age in children’s lives. Last week the Member’s statement promoted early childhood development as a very important asset, and language must be part of that development. I want all Members here to encourage language development, encourage youth of the North to learn as many languages as they can. Thank you. Merci beaucoup, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Wrigley is a small community at kilometre 548 of the Mackenzie Highway in the beautiful Deh Cho region and Nahendeh riding. With its view of the Franklin Mountains, a trip between Wrigley and Fort Simpson is one of the Northwest Territories most scenic drives, yet it is another area of untapped tourism potential.

As a traveller on this highway said, this is where the Deh Cho becomes extraordinary, but this section of Highway No. 1 is also where the Deh Cho becomes extraordinarily dusty. The Department of Transportation website reports road bans in effect between kilometre 188 and 551. Otherwise, driving conditions are fair and very dusty. Also I make note that there is a narrow section which is only one lane.

Once again, highways in the Nahendeh are doing a disservice to our communities. This is not good for a highway registered on our national highway system. Rain also wreaks havoc on this section of the highway. When it rains, the road turns to clay. It gets very slippery and once it’s dried, tire tracks get cemented in place like bad pottery.

In the last government, a lot of work was done around the feasibility of extending the Mackenzie Highway north from Wrigley. With oil and gas activity increasing in the central Mackenzie Valley, industry will need an all-weather access to the region. We can argue that the Government of the Northwest Territories is not in a position to develop the highway north of Wrigley, but it cannot argue that Highway No. 1 should not get the same attention as other roads in our system. Just because the volume of traffic is lower, it doesn’t mean there should be less maintenance. If anything, regular maintenance could bring more opportunities to Wrigley and Fort Simpson. Unlike

Highway No. 7, the road does not need to be rebuilt; it just needs regular maintenance.

The people who travel that road are not asking for a new one. We are asking for a road that we can drive safely and comfortably, a road that is key to economic opportunities, a road that lets us show every traveller and visitor that the Deh Cho really is extraordinary. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

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

Koana, Mr. Speaker, qujannamiik. I want to pay tribute to the Wiilideh language and to the community leadership dedicated to its support and promotion. Wiilideh is a unique language, not Chipewyan and not Tlicho and not yet an official language. While funding support is provided for some community programs, formal efforts to preserve and promote the language rely heavily upon a determination and professionalism of community language specialists.

Thanks to the efforts of the Goyatiko Language Society under the expert leadership of Mary Rose Sundberg, great strides have been made. Goyatiko delivers Wiilideh education materials, community programs and supports, and expert advice to teaching assistants who promote languages in the schools. Volunteers provide after-school programs and the young ones attend eagerly.

In his February 14

th Minister’s statement, the

Education Minister spoke positively of his visit to Alaska and the programs for inclusion of elders in the schools there. The presence of elders, an established and much beloved feature in our K’alemi Dene School, a model I commend to the Minister as he researches introduction of elders programming in all our schools.

Progress has been made in piloting an Aboriginal Interpreter Translator Pilot Training Program. The purpose of the training is to establish a pool of certified Dene interpreter/translators to provide quality language services in the communities. Aurora College’s Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program is helping train and certify our next generation of language professionals.

We have placed priority on the promotion of Aboriginal languages and committees, and Members will continue to push for greater achievements. We have recognized the opportunities presented for enhancing the capacity to learn languages through a focus on the early years of child development when children lay the foundations for lifelong language skills.

Language is the basis of flourishing cultures. We in the NWT are blessed beyond all provinces and territories in having a mosaic of 11 languages; some might say 12. In national and even global terms, we enjoy a birthright to be envied and cherished. Let’s continue to treasure that richness and keep our efforts for Aboriginal language promotion strong. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise again today to remind the Minister of Health and Social Services that the downtown day shelter still needs a lot of support. I spoke in the House the other day about how we need focused hope and purpose for people. We have an opportunity to give people purpose. As I said in Committee of the Whole the other day, we could be providing good focus and opportunity to treat addictions; we could be working on employment and even health clinics in this particular facility.

The government has committed financial resources as well as good brain power on the excitement and opportunity presented for people. So the issue before us here today is what are we doing to support that hope and what are we doing to provide those services to good folks.

I’ve spoken about the continued bad behavior there that we need to put an action to, and I’ll be asking questions of the Minister of Health and Social Services to see what he’s going to do from an action plan context as to how to help people there.

Today we heard how he’ll later table the Shared Path Towards Wellness. I hope he has not forgotten about the opportunities that could happen at the downtown day shelter to help people find homes, to help people find work, and certainly to help fight those demons known as addictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week we received new rulings from the Supreme Court, which were submitted on June the 1

st . The French rights are in the federal law and

Francophones in the Northwest Territories have fought for many years to obtain equal school access identical to what their English colleagues get... [Translation ends]

…through a Supreme Court decisions regarding French language schooling in the NWT, decisions rendered on June 1

st of this year.

French language rights are protected in federal law and NWT Francophones have been fighting for years to get school facilities on par with their Anglophone counterparts. One decision forces the GNWT to expand both Francophone schools, Ecole Boreale in Hay River and Ecole Allain St-Cyr in Yellowknife. Ecole Boreale to accommodate 160 students and Ecole Allain St-Cyr to accommodate 250 students. It all must be done by September of

2015. Needless to say, the Commission Scolaire Francophone Territoires du Nord-ouest is very happy.

This ruling has huge implications, Mr. Speaker. The GNWT, in three years’ time, must have completed the infrastructure enhancements ordered by the judge. Considering the time frame alone, never mind the cost, it’s a daunting task. And the cost will be significant. At minimum, four specialist classrooms and a gymnasium are required. How this government will fit that expense into our minimal capital budgets over the next two years remains to be seen.

My own view is that the judge was somewhat overzealous with the schedule in their decision, but then the GNWT has been ignoring a previous judgment directing the GNWT to expand Ecole Allain St-Cyr for some 10 years. So maybe this is payback in the court’s view.

My hope is that the Commission Scolaire Francophone and the GNWT can sit down together and discuss and agree to realistic construction timelines. The work must be started immediately, no question about that, but completion by 2015 could be hard to achieve. There must be a willingness to move ahead, but with some consideration for flexibility.

It would be the best if all of our Aboriginal languages had the same rights under the law as the Francophone minority does. Maybe in time we will get there. For now, our government must accept the rulings and move ahead. Merci, monsieur.

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

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today is language day. I will be doing a part of my Member’s statement in Chipewyan.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to Alphonse King of Fort Resolution. He’s also known as “The Fonze.” Alphonse King was born April 5, 1949, and passed away June 8, 2012. He was only 63 years old. He died of terminal cancer.

[English translation not provided.]

Alphonse King spent the first quarter of his life in Rocher River. Like many people from Rocher River, Alphonse had to move to Fort Resolution when the school in Rocher River burnt down. He was a trapper and he had moved at a young age. He used to live on the Taltson River and trap and hunt up there with his father and his stepmother and many of his brothers and sisters.

Alphonse is survived by his spouse, Georgina Biscaye. His daughter is Priscilla Calumet, his step-daughter, Lacy Biscaye, and some grandchildren also.

[English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

[English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to pass my condolences on to the family of Alphonse King, who died way too soon. I’m sure that he will be sadly missed by his entire family in Fort Resolution.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

[English translation not provided.]

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

I’d like to draw your attention to the presence in our visitors gallery today of Ms. Therese Boullard and Ms. Deborah McLeod from the offices of the Human Rights Commission. Ms. Boullard was the very first director of the Human Rights Commission, appointed under the NWT Human Rights Act. She was first appointed in 2004 and since then has overseen the implementation of our made-in-the-North human rights legislation. This summer Ms. Boullard will be relocating to her native British Columbia after more than eight years of outstanding service to the people of the Northwest Territories and this Legislative Assembly. Ms. Boullard, you have made a lasting impact on the Northwest Territories during your time as the director of the Human Rights Commission, and we thank you for your service here in the Northwest Territories.

Yesterday we confirmed the appointment of Ms. Deborah McLeod to take over from Ms. Boullard as the director of the Human Rights Commission. Ms. McLeod has served as the deputy director of Human Rights since November 1, 2004. Congratulations on your new appointment, Ms. McLeod, and we wish you good luck in your new responsibilities.

The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to acknowledge and welcome to this House Mr. Sonny McDonald, a Fort Smither, long-time government employee, imminent northern artist, all around good guy, and he sits on the Mackenzie River Basin Board representing the Northwest Territories. Welcome to the Assembly.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to welcome a Frame Lake constituent, Ms. Lyda Fuller, executive director of the Yellowknife YWCA. I’d also like to recognize one of our city councillors, Ms. Lydia Bardak. She’s also the executive director of the John Howard Society. Thank you. Welcome to everyone who’s here.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to echo your comments to Ms. Boullard. Thank you very much for your service, and I recognize her attendance here today. As well, Ms. McLeod, best wishes in your new position. I’d also like to recognize Sonny MacDonald. Sonny is a well-known, skilled artist from Fort Smith and he’s been a huge contributor to the arts and craft industry here in the Northwest Territories. It’s an honour to have him here in the gallery today. I also wanted to recognize Lydia Bardak, Yellowknife city counsellor. I also see Arlene Hache, I’d like to recognize. As well, a constituent of mine, Emily Lawson. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize the residents of Weledeh including Therese Boullard, and thank her very much for her good work on the human rights office. Also, Lydia Bardak and Arlene Hache, both well-known and also doing good work on behalf of the NWT residents. Also, of course, Lyda Fuller, YWCA. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to welcome Mr. Roland Rogers, the housing manager in the community of Aklavik to the gallery. Welcome.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Mr. Peter Huskey, who is here with us today. Welcome. He is from Behchoko and actively involved with the meetings that are occurring. I’d just like to welcome him here. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. I’d like to welcome all our visitors in the public gallery here today. Thank you for taking an interest in our proceedings in the Legislative Assembly.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated in my Member’s statement today, I have a constituent who has an issue that should be of concern to all of us. My constituent is a very articulate person, and when we met with the public administrator and the CEO of the hospital, she was very clear on what it would take to make the washrooms at the hospital accessible and useable by someone in a wheelchair such as herself. I am sad to say that since that meeting six months has gone by. The hospital is operated by Health and Social Services, but Public Works and Services would be involved in any kind of a renovation. What was indicated as being required is a commercial base on a toilet that is raised up, that is higher off the ground, and instead of diagonally placed gripper handle, that they be on a horizontal so that you could put downward pressure on them in order to lift yourself. I know this is getting into detail here, but lift yourself up off of a higher toilet seat. That’s what she said she needed. That’s all we needed. Now we have a quote from Public Works and Services for $55,000, and there’s no money available to do this.

I would like to ask somebody’s permission, if the good, capable maintenance folks at the Hay River hospital could please go in and take the base off the floor, change it out for a commercial, higher toilet base and install those gripper handles with any kind of backing they may need to make them safe. Could I please have permission and instruction that this could be carried out? I guarantee you it’s a low ticket item. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Minister responsible for Public Works, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, Public Works and Services does not actually maintain this asset, but we were asked by the Department of Health and Social Services to give them some information and some expertise given that the department does do this type of thing. The problem is, obviously, for any upgrades in that bathroom to meet code, they have significant codes that they have to meet for safety and public

safety. That’s why the cost has ballooned up to $45,000.

I hear what the Member’s saying. I clearly hear what the Member’s saying, and I’m happy to work with the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services and the authority, to see if there’s anything that we can do to minimize the cost so that we can actually put something in there, keeping in mind that that hospital is temporary – it’s going to be gone soon – but see if we can do something for the short term. Thank you.

Here is the insanity of the situation. If we’re going to put in something that works, it’s going to have to be up to code, which is going to cost, according to the latest quote from Public Works, $55,000. How can we have a facility that is up to code but not useable by a person with a disability that’s in a wheelchair? I mean, there’s no code standard with something that is unsafe and unusable for a person with a disability. Do I need to tell my constituent to go and file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission or something? I mean, it’s not acceptable that she cannot go to the Hay River hospital and use a washroom that is not unsafe to her, because although the washroom that’s there right now may be up to code, it is not safe or operable for her to use.

I don’t know what to say about code. I mean, it can’t be code right now. If I was building a commercial building right now, I would have to put a washroom in there that was accessible by people with disabilities and that would have to be up to code. I’d like to ask the Minister of Public Works, will he find out if it is possible to install gripper bars in the washroom and put a new toilet base in there which is raised up. Thank you.

Like I said, Public Works and Services will absolutely work with the department and the authority. I do understand that there is a barrier-free bathroom downstairs, which is completely accessible by elevator, so the person can get to an accessible bathroom on the downstairs floor, but as far as that bathroom, we will work with the Minister and the authority.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister for Health and Social Services. I wanted to follow up on his Minister’s statement today.

I’m really pleased to hear that he will be later tabling the Mental Health Action Plan. It’s, I think, well known that our territory has many problems. We have people that suffer from mental health

illnesses. We have people that suffer from mental health illnesses as a result of addictions. The Minister mentions in his statement that this is a three-year action plan. I believe it’s intended for 2012 to 2015. I appreciate that we have to start somewhere, but I’d like to ask the Minister what are we going to do beyond this three-year time period. What has the department got in place for long-term plans for a mental health and addictions strategy? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. We’ve had many discussions about mental health and addictions since I’ve become the Minister of Health and Social Services. This action plan has been in the works for quite some time. The plan right now, as a department, we’re seeing something with a shorter time frame that’s more of an action plan rather than a strategy is something that we need in order to start to move forward and try to make some progress in the mental health and addictions field. This doesn’t mean that we will stop working on mental health and addictions at the end of three years. It is hoped, and I can confirm that for sure, by continuing to work with the departments and provide the information to the Member, that there will be something beyond 2015 as well. Thank you.

I appreciate the answer from the Minister, but I have to say that I think it’s going to take a lot longer than three years to fix the problems that we have within the territory. I appreciate that this is intended to be an action plan. There probably are very valid actions within there and things that we do need to do, but I have to ask the Minister, if we have actions that we are doing over the next three years that are unrelated to medium-term and long-term goals, which apparently we don’t have, I wonder whether or not we are doing bits and pieces without any end goal in sight. Do we really know where we are going? Do we know how we want to get there? I appreciate that something is going to be developed, but are we waiting until 2015 to develop our midterm and our end long-term plan? Thank you.

No, we are going to start this action plan and then we are going to start using the business planning process to either renew this action plan or build on to this action plan. We’ll see how this goes. We’ll have a good lay of the land on what we have out there as far as mental health and addiction issues and then, from there, we will build on something that is longer term. We are not going to start at the end of this, but we will start during this action plan. We will start to develop that longer-term strategy. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the Minister. I have to reiterate I find it difficult to understand how we can put specific actions in place without knowing what our end goal is, without knowing where we are going.

In some of the media information that was provided to Members, it indicates that the plans are developed to respond to service gaps. I would like to know from the Minister, does this plan identify service gaps. If that’s the case, how is this plan addressing the service gaps that we know exist in our territory? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it’s fairly obvious what the issues are in mental health and addictions from our perspective. We are trying to develop a plan that moves forward. There are gaps in the system. That’s what we need to address. This action plan, we’re trying to develop something that moves us forward, gives us a better view of what those gaps are, what those issues are, and then the whole base that through business planning process we will be able to fill those gaps and develop something on the longer term.

We do actually know where we are trying to go. We have a pretty good idea that we have addiction issues now. We’re trying to address those issues for the future so that we have a healthier Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate from the Minister that he knows where he wants to go. Maybe the department does, but I don’t see that written anywhere. That is a bit of my concern. I don’t know if this plan identifies where we want to go. To the service gaps, if they are identified in the plan, I would like to know from the Minister whether or not the gaps identified in the plan will be addressed by the actions that are going to happen over the next three years. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the gaps that are easy to fill can be identified and done within the next three years with this action plan. I’m sure that there will have to be more resources put in or resources moved around. That’s part of the issue; is right now we’re not sure if we need a lot more resources, because the whole nature of a plan like this is so that in the future we are avoiding a lot of costs, a lot of health costs, a lot of costs on treatment and so on, because if we go into prevention, in the future we don’t have to treat.

I think this plan is going to give us at least the ability to start to look at filling the smaller gaps and then going through a business plan process, if there needs to be resources put in or whether the resources are going to be requested or moved around internally. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Beaulieu. Mr. Bromley.

I would like to follow up on my Member’s statement with questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and note that in the past I’ve described a situation where funding for the Yellowknife Dene Community Language Program is filtered through the Tlicho and Akaitcho governments, and there have been some issues coming from that, late transfers, late in the fiscal year and so on. The Minister of ECE, in correspondence to me in February, committed to exploring the possibility of improving the flow of funding in partnership with the Akaitcho Territory Government. What is the progress on this work recently, since February? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Mr. Speaker, this funding through the committee that deals with the TLC, teaching and learning centres, we have come across some challenges when it comes to dealing with the funding with Detah and Ndilo. So we’ve looked as a department and how we can mitigate and resolve that issue. We did re-profile this particular funding for Detah and Ndilo as part of a proposal being submitted on an annual basis from Goyatiko to our department based on that dispersing of the funding. That is the establishment that should resolve that issue, because I understand Mary Rose Sundberg is the one coordinating this approach and we have met with her. This is a concern that was brought to our attention, as well, through the MLA. I think we found a solution of re-profiling the funding through our department based on proposal. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, thanks much to the Minister for those comments. It sounds like good progress happening there.

I have been very encouraged that the steps being taken to increase the number of interpreters/translators through the piloting of a new program and the announcing of first graduates of the Aurora College Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program. What are the plans for taking the interpreter/translator program forward now and beginning delivery and continuing programming now that the pilot is near completion? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is referring to the ALCIP program that we graduated students out of Inuvik and Aboriginal Language and Culture Instructors Program, but we

are also delivering interpreter and translation training through the five different modules in the Deh Cho Yamozha Kue Society. We contribute on an annual basis for them to deliver the program. We are currently re-evaluating how we deliver that program through the Yamozha Kue Society because a lot of ideas and suggestions were brought forward. We are currently looking at and re-examining how we deliver that program in the Deh Cho riding through Yamozha Kue Society to provide a more effective delivery program. The ALCIP program has been very successful to date. We will continue to deliver that to regions as well. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the Minister for those comments. It is something that I hadn’t grasped and I still could use a little more clarity on whether the interpreter/translator program is a stand-alone or is it a sort of a subset of the ALCIP program. Maybe I can get the Minister to help me understand that situation.

I understand that the interpreter program, whether it is a subset or part of ALCIP, was a pilot project. I think the Minister said they are evaluating it now and will decide. If that is the case, I would like his confirmation on that. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, based upon the completion of the interpreter training pilot delivery series, we are currently re-examining the deliverance of the program itself. Yes, the Member is correct. It was a pilot project that we initiated with the Yamozha Kue Society, and Aboriginal Language Culture Instructors Program is through the college. It is a two-year diploma program that is geared towards an area that they’ll be certified and qualified to start teaching in the classroom setting. These modules were just a pilot project, but currently we are examining that. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Minister for that clarification. I just want to note the Yellowknives Dene First Nation consider the Wiilideh language a separate language, and I had requested official language status and the Minister has been interacting with YKDFN from time to time. In his February correspondence to me, the Minister said a suggestion was made to the Akaitcho Government to carry out a research study on the Wiilideh language to document its unique nature. Now, this is going to involve hiring a linguist and an academician, but I’m wondering if the Minister can say what progress there’s been on his research and has his department provided resources for such a study. Mahsi.

Mahsi. There has been discussion with the Akaitcho Government, as well, on this, especially with the executive director

identifying a feasibility study on the Weledeh dialect.

As you know, we have the nine Aboriginal official languages. Within that it also contains different dialects as well. So we have to be careful what we’re talking about here. Wiillideh dialect is part of the Tlicho dialect as well. So there’s different dialects that are involved; the Chipewyan dialect. So those are just some of the areas that the executive director was going to do some more research on in this area. But I can provide the latest update on what we have as a department from the Akaitcho Government, if they can provide that. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are also for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in regard to a report, I believe in the last Assembly, called the Health Talk Report. There was a recommendation made in terms of having a translator in each of the regional health authorities to assist our growing population of seniors who need medical attention and services, but whose first language is their official language and English is their second language. So they might have some difficulty with the terminology or getting the proper information for the best care that they need. Can the Minister of ECE give us an update in terms of has anything been worked with the departments to address this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Language is very important to all the departments, especially when it comes to terminology, interpreting different words. We are currently working with each department, such as the Department of Health and Social Services more specifically dealing with the regional health authorities. Stanton has hired on-call interpreters, as well, even translators. So each department has their own roles and responsibilities to hire their interpreters and we do what we can as a department to identify the needs.

At times we did receive requests from constituencies across the Northwest Territories. When there are no interpreters, for example at Stanton, then right away, immediately a request would go to Health to deal with that matter. So it’s a coordinated approach between the departments.

So we’ll continue to monitor that and work closely with the Ministers. Mahsi.

The Minister mentioned earlier with going on with my other colleague asking question with the ALCIP program and the other program I believe in the Deh Cho, with the five modules. Would any of those programs be able to address the issues needed within our government system, such as Justice, Education or Health, in terms of terminology and getting the information to residents of the Northwest Territories where English is their second language? Do either of these programs address that concern and that issue? Thank you.

Mahsi. The Yamozha Kue Society out of Hay River delivers pilot projects on five modules and it is a basic, entry-level language. So it does capture, to some degree, on some of the interpretation, whether it be in a hospital setting. It is a basic level, but we are, as I stated, re-examining that area where if we can provide more effective and efficient course delivery that would capture and identify the terminology that’s used in hospital and school settings and so forth. So, yes, to some degree it does capture that, but it’s just very basic language that they’re being taught as part of the pilot project. Mahsi.

Can the Minister provide us with details on how many individuals did participate in that program that he mentioned out of Hay River, and if he’s looking at putting it into an advanced course and offering it to languages right throughout the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Mahsi. Yes, I did commit to re-evaluating that particular program as part of the Yamozha Kue Society and considering delivering that same or advanced-level courses into the Aboriginal language groups, into the communities. So that is our overall goal, is to capture the regions to the best of our ability as we were doing with the ALCIP program. So we’ll continue to address those needs. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to our growing seniors population which will result in more visits to the hospital, as well as the new crime bill coming through, we’re going to see more cases before the court system. Would the Minister commit to increasing some kind of funding pot for local interpreters who might be readily available? Would he be looking at creating some type of program where our local regional people can get some jobs in helping our elders, as well as those in the justice system with this type of thing to expect in the future? Thank you.

Mahsi. When I talked about re-examining our delivery program, that would definitely capture that. I need to work

with the departmental perspective, as well, the respective Ministers, how we can best deliver those programs and courses and work closely with the college as well. Aurora College has been successful in the past and now we’re re-examining that area as well. So, yes, that would be part of the discussion as we move forward. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today will be for the Minister of Health and Social Services. A couple of months ago the issue of the Edmonton city airport closure and how it affected our medevac flights was brought into the House and discussed here by some of the Members, and we did get some solid responses back from the Minister of Health. Most recently, updates to the Edmonton city urban site, or website, and I quote, “The city will continue to offer land at the City Centre Airport for use of Alberta Health Services to support helipads for medevac services.” It goes on to say there will be major development and redevelopment in the future, but it does not talk about fixed-wing development. Can the Minister, as he was promising back then, give us an update as to what’s happening right now in the city of Edmonton with medevac services?

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our deputy minister has been meeting with the Alberta Health and Wellness people and they last met in April of this past year. They had indicated that they had promised that they would provide us with some continual updates as things change at the Municipal Airport as they go for closing the Municipal Airport. Recently the DM has asked if she could participate in the Transition Advisory Committee at Alberta Health and Wellness, but we have not received a response on that yet. Thank you.

It’s promising to hear that we’ve got some steps in place. I heard the word “transition,” which is good to hear. In our previous discussions, there was talk about the Edmonton/Villeneuve or Edmonton Garrison Airport as potential alternative destination for medevac flights from the Northwest Territories, including northern Alberta and northern BC. Has the Minister made strides in this area to see if that could be secured earlier, while we’re waiting for Edmonton to come up with a battle plan?

I’m not aware of any discussions with the Garrison Airport since the time that was brought up. I had recently met with the retired nurses from Alberta and the NWT; they were not aware of that as well. We spoke a bit about that. So I could get some updated information on the Garrison Airport and provide that information to the Member.

Thank you to the Minister. Recent public consultation workshops have ended here in Edmonton and they have claimed that by November of this year, November 2012, they are going to have what is called a Redevelopment Master Plan. As I said, in the website, they’re talking about still maintaining helipads for emergency services but did not talk anything about fixed wings. Can the Minister indicate if there is some type of master plan where emergency services are still going to be offered with heli services, and will there be some changes potentially in how our patients will be delivered in the downtown corridor of Edmonton?

At this time their plan is to move our medevacs to the international airport. At this time there is no plan to continue to keep a strip open at the Municipal Airport. However, like I have indicated, our deputy minister is continuing to have discussions to see if that is a possibility. They are currently using some flights that are going to the international airport as a backup for the Municipal Airport, and it’s been working fine. So far it seems like individuals have a fear that the international airport is a long way out. I think it’s about 45 minutes, and that could mean a matter of life or death. We’re continuing to talk with Alberta Health and Wellness, who are dealing with the City of Edmonton.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I couldn’t agree more. I think people are gravely concerned with the distance of the Edmonton International Airport, and trying to get loved ones and people who need medevac services as quick as possible to the hospitals. I think that’s the big question here. I’m hearing about, we’re part of a Transition Advisory Committee, but it seems that we’re working on the mercy of Edmonton and Alberta Health and Wellness. Does this government, does this department have a transition plan? Are we using alternative sites? Are we using alternative hospitals, Grande Prairie, other areas of that nature, to come up with a plan in the event something does not work out for the benefit of the Northwest Territories? Do we have a plan? Because I haven’t heard one yet.

As I indicated, the DM has asked to sit on the Transition Advisory Committee. What I can do is go back to the deputy minister to

see if we have worked out some sort of plan with the City of Edmonton or Alberta Health and Wellness, to see if there is a plan that will support our medevacs, to see if there is an alternative closer to the uptown, such as Garrison or that some emergency may be kept open. I can have that information for the Member before the end of session.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My follow-up questions are directed to the Minister responsible for seniors. [English translation not provided.]

I wanted to ask the Minister what kind of current programs and services are available from the GNWT in the interest and care of elders.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Minister responsible for seniors, Mr. Tom Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know recently that a seniors handbook was published which lays out the programs from the various departments. For Health and Social Services, we are offering things in the health area. We offer home care for independent living, long-term care for elders and seniors that need it, and also for other health programs and extended health benefits which provide prescription drugs, medical travel, medical supplies, appliances, prostheses, hearing aids, dental services and eye glasses.

I wanted to thank the Minister for the general response. Currently the elders population is fairly low with the number of elders over the age of 65, but with the current estimates, I believe within 10 years those figures will dramatically change and we’ll have an increased population of elders. How is the government preparing to try and meet the needs of elders at that age? How is this government preparing for that eventuality?

As is across the country, the NWT recognizes that the seniors population will be growing quickly, and it’s been an issue, I think, for at least 25 years when they started to do the projections and recognizing that. For the Department of Health and Social Services, we have some senior citizens consultants to consult about what type of rehabilitation services are going to be needed, the extent of what type of services will be needed within the department. Aside from that we are funding the NWT Seniors’ Society. We give them now close to $200,000 a year for them to work with the Seniors’ Society on a Seniors Advisory Council and the Community Outreach

Program, so that they can try to keep their membership advised of what is up and coming.

I’d like to thank the Minister for pointing out that there is at least an engagement with elders of the Seniors’ Society, in terms of trying to prepare for the eventuality that indeed we will have more elders perhaps within the next 10 or 20 years in terms of population, my next question is in regard to the federal government’s recent discussion of raising the retirement from 65 to 67. What’s the position of the GNWT on that?

We haven’t engaged the federal government in this area at this time because this is still going through the budget process. As soon as the budget process is through, I think we would be… As the Minister responsible for Seniors, I know that we are having an FPT meeting and I’m sure that will be one of the topics coming up. If not, I could ensure the Member that I will engage the other federal Minister responsible for Seniors to see how that is going to impact the Northwest Territories.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the section of Highway No. 1 that goes up to Wrigley. Residents of Wrigley have always brought it to my attention that the maintenance cycle is not what they think it should be. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation what level of attention they pay to this section of the road. Residents often say that they do not maintain it as often as regular, and they do not pay too much attention to that road. I’d like to ask that to the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. David Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d be more than happy to look into the intervals on maintenance on that section of highway in comparison to other sections. It does have, and I do know this, something to do with the amount of traffic that is on the road, but I will get the information for the Member and then we can do a comparison. If there are issues with maintenance, the Member and the communities can certainly bring that to my attention and we will address that.

I’m glad the Minister offered some kind of mechanism, because that is truly needed. They often bring their complaints either to the ferry operations at Ndulee and/or call the regional office. Often they don’t get adequate

responses that they feel they should. If the Minister is offering a route that the community or community leadership can contact his office directly, I’d be pleased to hear about it.

Safety is our number one priority, so again, if the Member feels there are maintenance issues on that section of highway and he wants to bring that to my attention, I would be more than happy to look into those concerns for the Member and for the community.

I guess the key thing is the maintenance cycles. It seems that the department often skips it because of the lower volume of traffic. I don’t think this is right, because this highway is on the national highway system and it shouldn’t be dismissed just because there’s a lower amount of traffic. It’s equally important to that community and for the whole North as well.

The Member brings up a good point and we’ll take that into consideration.