This is page numbers 1661 - 1682 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was communities.

Topics

Secondary Diamond Industry Strategy
Members’ Statements

February 5th, 2013

Daryl Dolynny

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back, and welcome back to my colleagues.

After a long period of inactivity in the diamond polishing and cutting industry, I’m very pleased to see that the production start-up of Deepak International (DIL) has finally arrived in the Range Lake riding. This revitalization comes at a critical time in our territory’s future growth and the global diamond industry, and we look forward to working with DIL to put the NWT back on the international diamond stage.

However, many Members of this Assembly are concerned on the long process that DIL had to endure to get to this point in manufacturing, and coupled with little to no information from the ITI department, nor the Minister on this recent announcement begs to ask why so much secrecy.

Now, I realize the concern that many in the department may have had due to past manufacturer failings. However, this production start-up company was self-financed with little to no risk to the public purse. So, again, why the delays and why the non-collaboration with standing committee or the riding representative?

I want to stress that these are very exciting times for the territory and for DIL, but the lack of information leading up to this announcement puzzles many Legislative Members.

It is further concerning that the department and the Minister appear to be operating in the cover of darkness when it comes to our revitalization of the secondary diamond industry, and as a Member of consensus government, and as a home to diamond manufacturing, we do have to ask, again, that question why.

Recently, with no agenda given or a current secondary diamond policy, our Minister undertook a world tour to places like London, England; Antwerp, Belgium; and Gaborone, Botswana, all under the guise of drumming up business with future diamond producers. With the taxpayer laying down this blanket of money for such expensive travel, one has to ask what was the Minister’s strategy to revitalize this industry, and was this new mysterious diamond framework discussed in consensus and a collaborative matter with Members of this Assembly prior to such travels. We all know the answers to those questions.

We have the unique opportunity at a second chance in this diamond industry, and we are being scrutinized by the industry itself. It is important that we support hardworking upstart operators like Deepak International Limited, and place caution in moving forward into this industry with no compass or roadmap. We cannot repeat the scars of our past.

I will have further questions for the Minister of ITI later today to help answer some of these concerning questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Medical Evacuation Charters
Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lots of things about the North and how we deliver programs and services to our constituents is very unique to the North. Many rural and remote communities and, in fact, all of our communities have to occasionally rely on an employee, the use of medical evacuation charters. It is nothing like being in a large urban centre with a hospital where family and friends can support a family member through a medical emergency. It’s not even a given that a family member can fly later in a timely manner or travel by road if it is an off-road community, or can necessarily afford a flight or a road trip to accompany a loved one that has had to be taken out for medical assistance in emergency situations.

These times of medical emergency are often emotionally charged, or added to the stress of the threat to health and well-being, the separation from the moral support and calming support of loved ones. The patient is placed in a strange environment, not knowing what their future holds.

I’m not talking about medical escorts; I am talking about a plane that is transporting a patient in which there may be room for someone to accompany that patient. These charters are extremely expensive, and of course, we are thankful that our government freely provides this service to our constituents when a medical evacuation is necessary.

Today I am going to have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services as to what this government’s policy is about family members accompanying, or one person accompanying a family member that’s on a medical evacuation. If this is not the policy of this government and if this cannot be accommodated, I’d like to know why. We need to do things that make common sense. I can understand that if there is medical equipment or other medical personnel on that plane and there was no room, then certainly the safety and well-being of the patient takes priority. But if there is room for a family member to accompany a patient to a regional or territorial centre or to Edmonton or from Edmonton on a medical evacuation charter, I think that common sense should prevail.

I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services about this. Thank you.

Medical Evacuation Charters
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Today I would like to speak about the passing of a good friend of mine, Henry Fabien of Fort Resolution. Henry was born September 23, 1948, and passed away on December 3, 2012. Henry was the third son of Albert and Rose Fabien.

Henry was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. He had the utmost respect for anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Henry loved going out on the land. He enjoyed hunting and trapping during his lifetime. He took many hunting trips, trapping trips with his friends and relatives.

Henry sincerely loved his siblings and family. His times spent with them were his happiest times. He always loved teasing and spending time with his nieces and nephews. His jokes made light of any situation bad or good. That was his nature.

Henry enjoyed gardening, and every year he planted a garden in Fort Resolution. When his family came to visit, he would always cook up some wild food and fish, and have his fresh potatoes from the garden to serve with it.

Henry was predeceased by his father, Albert; his mother, Rose; brothers John, Louis, Lawrence; and his younger sister Georgina.

Henry is survived by his brothers and sisters, Eddy, Donald, Rita, Kaye, Angelina, Helen, Lorraine and his brother Robert Sayine Sr. Henry will be sadly missed by all of his friends and family, and my condolences go out to his loved ones. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Miltenberger.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to be able to introduce a constituent and friend from Fort Smith, Mr. Keith Hartery, visiting and contemplating becoming a nursing student to add further to his service in the North. Welcome. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Mr. McLeod.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

The success of a lot of the programs that we offer as a government is dependent on the people on the front lines that implement them. We have three gentlemen up here that work with the youth that are part of the Youth Ambassador Program. Mr. Peter Daniels from Fort Smith, Mr. Shane Thompson from Hay River, and Mr. Donald Kuptana Jr. from Inuvik, a constituent of mine. Welcome to the Assembly, gentlemen, and a job well done. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. I would like to clarify that Donald Kuptana is from Tuktoyaktuk. He lives in Inuvik right now, working.

---Laughter

Mr. Menicoche.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to verify that Shane Thompson lives in Fort Simpson.

---Laughter

I would like to welcome Shane Thompson, as well as Colinda Blondin, to the House. She is the newest constituent of Fort Simpson as well. Welcome. Mahsi.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Ms. Bisaro.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to welcome a constituent today, Mr. Jeff Corradetti. I would also like to recognize my former

colleague, Mr. David Krutko, former MLA for Mackenzie Delta; and Lydia Bardak, the executive director of the Dene Ko Day Shelter. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you. Mr. Moses.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member’s statement earlier, I’d like to recognize the hardworking and dedicated staff for the sport, recreation and youth division within MACA. I’d like to recognize Shane Thompson; a fellow colleague, Donald Kuptana; Peter Daniels; and new staff within the division Colinda Blondin, who I am sure she is going to do a great job with the Youth Ambassador Program and youth and volunteer sector. Welcome to the Assembly. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Mr. Bromley.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I would also like to recognize a former colleague, David Krutko, and the work that he is doing in the biomass industry. I think he is bringing that back home to us and sharing that with us. Very exciting stuff. Mahsi.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Blake.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize former veteran MLA for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. David Krutko.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Mr. Bouchard.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Shane Thompson. For the record, he is originally from Hay River. Thank you very much.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleague beat me to it. I was going to recognize Mr. Shane Thompson, a former resident of Hay River and it sounds like soon to be resident of Hay River again. Bring it on home. Thank you. You’ve heard it here first.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Mr. Yakeleya.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize David Krutko also, a former Member of the House.