Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on an issue of public safety and security that affects residents in the Northwest Territories: the provision of a 911 emergency telephone service for northern communities. Just over a month ago, Yellowknife lost a 35-year-old business in the city to a massive fire. 911 was called, but the call didn't reach emergency responders. Instead, the fire hall had to be alerted by someone driving there. The business was lost, along with the associated jobs and economic activity. Thankfully, it was no worse than that. The City of Yellowknife has long been a supporter of 911. Other NWT municipalities are on board too. In the previous assembly, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs studied the viability of a 911 service and concluded that we are very well positioned to implement it.

So why haven't we moved ahead? We invite visitors to join us in the North through our tourism promotion, our film and television industry, our festivals, fishing camps, canoe trips and hospitality industry. At the same time, we have recently experienced severe fire seasons. We can be grateful for a cool and quiet month of May, but we have the lesson of Fort McMurray to know how important it is to be prepared for emergencies and mindful of public safety. A basic 911 service has been budgeted to cost just over half a million dollars to establish, and only $266,000 a year to operate. Last year, MACA noted that the research is complete for a 911 system. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has recommended that since the value of life-saving potential of a 911 system far outweighs the small cost, it urged the department to move forward with 911. Now is the time for concrete steps to put this important public safety system into place. Mr. Speaker, I'll have questions for the Minister of MACA at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like some of my other colleagues, this is my first budget presentation to be a partner with. It saddened me to say here during our reception, I just found out from the Fort Good Hope leadership our elder, Bernadette Manuel, who is in the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital right now is going to be taken off life support, so I ask my colleagues for support so I can dismiss myself to be with the elder. Growing up, she was a great giver of hospitality and generosity, and I think it is only respectful that I show her the same, so I thank my colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members’ statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize three people in the gallery here. Respected elder from Wrigley, Gabe Hardisty, Mr. Nitsiza from Behchoko, Yellowknife, or wherever, colleague and friend, and Ms. Jennifer Williams who I had the opportunity to perform her wedding in Fort Simpson on Mackenzie/ Fort Liard River. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to recognize my wife, Judy, who is with us in the gallery today who came down to support me during the Budget Address. I appreciate her being up in the gallery. Thank you very much.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the mayor of Fort Smith, Lynn Napier-Buckley, who is in the gallery. I would also like to recognize the victim services coordinators who are here. Unfortunately, I don't know all of their names but I would like to acknowledge and recognize them. I think they are at the back row. Thank you.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize three members of the Status of Women Council, Lorraine Phaneuf, Annemieke Mulders, and Samantha Thomas. Thank you for being here. We appreciate it. Lyda Fuller from the YWCA was here. I am not sure if she is here any longer. Amanda Mallon who was a huge help within my campaign. Faith Woodruff who used to be our prenatal worker and went to the government, so glad to have you on this side because she was a great prenatal worker. And David Wasylciw, who is within the Range Lake constituency. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the constituent of the riding Inuvik Boot Lake, Ms. Judy McLeod. Welcome. It is always great to see you here. I would also like to welcome the victim services coordinators. I appreciate all the work that you guys do throughout the Northwest Territories and also like to thank the Stanton Elders’ Council for the work, guidance, and wisdom that you have shown us throughout the Northwest Territories as well. Thank you.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I talked about the work of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Elders’ Council. I wanted to take this opportunity to once again thank the members for their contributions and their dedication to ensuring that our health and social services are culturally appropriate and that service providers are culturally competent for the people that we serve. I would like to recognize a couple of the members of that council that are in the audience today. Gabriel Hardisty, Ernest Pokiak, Mary Teya, as well as Florence Barnaby are with us today. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Faaizah Joita from the Great Slave riding, who is one of our pages here today. She is a grade 7 student from William McDonald School and is paging for us this week. I would like to thank all the Pages for the incredible work they do and for being here with us today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There were a lot of friends and even family in the gallery today. Not so sure if she is still here, she may be sitting behind me, but I did want to recognize my wife, Suzette Montreuil. Merci.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a well-respected elder in Fort McPherson, Mary Teya. I seen her earlier in the gallery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize several people from my riding. Chief Lloyd Chicot from the Kakisa First Nation. At the same time, I would like to acknowledge and recognize the National Chief Bill Erasmus from the Dene Nation as well, also some former elders that I had worked with in our community, especially Elder Gabe Hardisty from Wrigley First Nation. I don't know if he is still in the audience, but perhaps other members that might be here from the Elders’ Council including James Christy. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.