Masi, Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I am going to talk about tuberculosis or TB. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, residents of Tuktoyaktuk were tested for tuberculosis or TB after finding out a recent visitor had an active case of this disease.

TB is a bacterial infection that typically affects the lungs. It is also a shameful part of Canada's colonial history. From 1950 to 1969, it is estimated one third of Inuit in Canada contracted TB, a disease brought north by settlers. During those years, thousands of people were taken south for medical treatment and many were never able to return to their homes. Today Canada has one of the lowest overall TB rates in the world, but Mr. Speaker, some regions and peoples are still hit much harder than that. First Nations Metis and Inuit are the most likely to have current TB diagnosis. Nineteen per cent of reported cases in 4 per cent of the country's population. In that group Inuit would have the highest rate of 154.2 per 100,000 population. Let's put that into perspective, Mr. Speaker. The rate for non- Aboriginal Canadians is 0.6 percent per 100,000.

Last year, researchers traced a strain of tuberculosis common in the Canadian North right back to its arrival in 1919. These researchers also found that this strain was not any stronger than others, despite the prevalence of TB in the North. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that TB's impacts are magnified by Northerner’s limited access to affordable healthy food, regular health care, and housing without overcrowding.

Thanks to the quick work of health officials, the risk of additional infections in Tuktoyaktuk as a result of the recent incident is very low and all potentially affected residents have been notified. However, we must still be vigilant to address the root cause of Northerners' heightened vulnerability to tuberculosis. This incident is a reminder. Later on, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the South Slave, we have many of the traditional tourist attractions: the waterfalls, wildlife, campgrounds, and miles of sandy beaches. We have to continue to preserve and promote these attractions. However, we need to think beyond these traditional forms of tourism. There are exciting and unique opportunities in my region that we need to capitalize on in order to diversify our economy and insulate us from fluctuations in global commodity prices.

The government is working on the commercial fisheries revitalization strategy. As home of the commercial fishing industry in the territory, breathing new life into the fishery can be a boon to Hay River's tourist sector. One just has to look at the popularity of Pike Place Market in Seattle or the Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco to see that commercial fishing brings significant tourist potential. In fact, the Fisherman's Wharf in Hay River is already the most popular summer venue in town.

While designing our new fish processing facility, we must also keep in mind and capitalize on its potential as an integral part of the overall tourism strategy. Tourists have also expressed interest in going out on the lake on a working commercial fishing vessel, and this is something that we must explore as well. Because of jurisdictional issues, we will need this government's supports to work with the feds on policy and regulatory changes to allow this.

Hay River is also lucky enough to be the home of the Northern Farm Training Institute. NFTI, as it is known has garnered international attention from those interested in agriculture and the environment, as well as from academics in the scientific community. It is uniquely positioned to be a agri-tourist and ecotourist destination as well as a venue for scientific and agriculture conferences. This is truly something unique that very few places can offer. Because of the work NFTI has already done, it is a member of a world-wide network and has access to potential tourists from around the globe. It has also created a three-year tourism plan and is working hard to build its own capacity.

This government needs to embrace and support efforts like this. Mr. Speaker, these are just two examples, but I could go on. By thinking outside the box and supporting these and other unique opportunities, we could help turn Hay River into a true tourist destination. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members’ statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Colleagues, I would like to draw you attention to the people in the gallery. We have a former Member of the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Jim Antoine is here with us. Thank you. Masi. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to also recognize Jim Antoine, his wife Celine Antoine, Tumbah Antoine, who graduated from Dechinta this past Saturday after two months in the bush, as well as Deneze Nakahk’o, former resident of Deh Cho, Fort Simpson, the Liidlii Kue First Nation and as well I'd be remiss not to recognize one of my sons, as I call him, Wade Vaneltsi. Welcome. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize the group from Dechinta there, and more specifically Rachael MacCauley, who graduated this past Saturday evening, and her mother Helen. Welcome to the House.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to welcome everyone from Dechinta here, as well as Mr. Jordan Peterson. He's running in an upcoming election for the Gwich'in Tribal Council and it's good to see young guys like yourself getting into politics and doing the better good for your people. Welcome. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in gallery. Member from Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize one of my constituents, Dennis Inaheko, who is living out in Kam Lake now after relocating from Fort Simpson. I'd also like to recognize all of the folks here from Dechinta for the great work they do and the journey they've taken. Thank you, Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Iris Catholique. She is a former resident of Lutselk'e. Her family is still in Lutselk'e, I think she resides in Yellowknife now. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize the Dechinta graduates, the on-the-land graduates including Tumbah Antoine and other students as well as program leaders that made this program quite possible. I'd like to extend congratulations to them, also acknowledging Celine and Jim Antoine and their family being present in the gallery, and also Denezeh Nahkeko as well. And last but not least, I'd like to recognize two Pages from my riding of Kakisa, Maverick Canadien. His parents are Terry Simba and Julie Canadien. He's in grade seven; he's 12 years old. I'd like to welcome here to the Assembly, at the same time, Sadee Simba. Her parents are Nora and Wayne Simba and she's in grade 8 and she's 14 years old. I believe their chaperone is Nora Simba. Mahsi.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from MacKenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to welcome Wade Vaneltsi also my cousin from Fort McPherson. Also I'd like to recognize Jordan Peterson and also everybody from Dechinta who just spent two months in the bush, Mr. Speaker. It's good to see. Mahsi cho.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd also like to recognize Jim Antoine in the gallery today. Jim is the chair designate of the new Territorial Health and Social and Services Authority and I look forward to continuing to work with Jim over the coming years as we move to one authority. Thank you, Jim. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to, first of all, congratulate everyone who was part of the Dechinta University experience this time around. And I would like to recognize and introduce my partner Janice McKenna. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had the opportunity to attend the Dechinta grad on Saturday and just for the record I'd like to let Members know who's all here and which community they're from. Congratulations once again Rachael MacCauley from Tulita, Tumbah Antoine from Lutselk’e Fort Simpson, Barbara Ann Blancho, Colville Lake, Sheila Karkagie, Tulita, Wade Clifford Vaneltsi, Fort McPherson, Chelsea Marie Migwy, Behchoko, Kayla Tulugarjuk from Igloolik. So we're also getting students from Nunavut as well. And Thumlee Etthenegon-Foliot. Once again, congratulations. I'd like to thank the staff for all their hard work and also welcome Jim and Celine Antoine here joining us today and a good friend

Deneze Nakehk’o

. Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the proceedings. Thank you.