This is page numbers 4545 - 4582 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd 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 education.

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Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, it's much sadness and grief today for my people of Nunakput as we have been so many loved -- so many loved ones have passed away since our last sitting here at the Assembly. I'd like to pay respects to the families and friends in Nunakput who have lost their loved ones recently.

In Sachs Harbour, well-respected elder Frank Kudlak will be dearly missed by family and friends, and thoughts and prayers for the Kudlak family. In Paulatuk, Mary Green, well-respected elder who will be dearly missed by her family and her long-time husband Tony, and prayers go out for Tony, Tony Green and the family. In Tuktoyaktuk, Josh Gruben. Thoughts and prayers out to his wife Roberta, Sharon -- his mother Sharon and his brother Justin and their children. Christian Mangelana, thoughts and prayers go out to Dawn, his mother Dawn, grandparents, Catharine and Clarence. Keith Anakeena, thoughts and prayers go to Nancy and Kenny, his grandmother Jean Gruben and the rest of the family, brothers and sisters. Rex Teddy Jr., thoughts and prayers go to Rachel Kevik and his father Rex Sr. D.J. Pokiak, thoughts and prayers go to Darren and Kayla and the Pokiak and Felix family. I lost my uncle Henry Steen, an elder in the community of Tuk, a well-respected elder and one of the smartest guys I've known in regards to technology, and he will be sadly missed. My nephew Morgan Wilhagen passed away this summer. Thoughts and prayers go out to my sister and to all her family.

We are deeply saddened for these losses, and I'd like to pass on to the families our prayers and love and may the All Mighty God have mercy on us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and region at this time. Members' statements. Member for Nahendah.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, George A. P. Jooris was born on the 15th of June 1951 to Daniel and Jeanine Jooris. He passed away on January 29th, 2022, in Fort Liard.

George left Luxemburg as a young man to see the world and leave his mark upon it. This was the same way he had an impact on the residents of Fort Liard's lives. George's parents had instilled with him the values such as open-mindedness, kindness, care, and love towards his peers. Although some did not understand it and considered it a sign of weakness, George considered it as his strength and a brand of his family even when he tried to hide it behind his gruff character.

Mr. Speaker, I am going to use some of Koty Loe, words that were shared at his funeral: I first met George when I was a young man. I remembered George's accent that I only heard in movies. In true George fashion, when he spoke to people it was not as a child but as a person. People remembered having very interesting conversations with him. Even though they didn't always agree, his perspective on things were very enlightening.

Mr. Speaker, George first met his love of his life Shirley in 1989 at the Fort Liard Northern store, and they've been together ever since. George married Shirley in 1995 during a ceremony at Whistle's Landing, an event which people still remember as if it were yesterday. They built two homes and have cared for and raised three strong, intelligent boys together - Jason, Liam, and the three boys nicknamed as Bah. When speaking to other youth, remembered him fondly.

George spent a lot of time on land around the Fort Nelson First Nation's territory, especially Burke and Needlay families during his time there, and he gained the nickname George Needlay.

George was an established welder by trade and worked for several years in the ENR warehouse managing their supplies. He was always very politically active in local matters, as those of us who remember him well can attest to. He held firm to his principles throughout his life and defended them in the same manner, a trait which we could all benefit from. George named his big grey welding truck Big Bertha after his grandmother. She was a tiny little lady, but she got louder and threw her weight around enough that everybody around her acknowledged her authority. He thought that was very funny.

Mr. Speaker, George had touched many people's lives everywhere he had been and will be remembered well by especially those in Fort Nelson and Fort Liard. He will be especially missed by those of us whose life he has managed to influence during his time among us. Rest well on your journey, George.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendah. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community at this time. Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the Minister of Finance, I would like to welcome the UNW executive to the House today. We have Ms. Gayla Thunstrom, the UNW president; Melvin Larocque, 1st vice-president; Josée-Anne Spirito, 2nd vice-president; Brad Brake, equity vice-president; Kevin Butt, regional vice-president North Great Slave; Randy Thompson, regional vice-president Sombaa Ké; Kenzie MacDonald, regional vice-president Beaufort Delta-Sahtu; Lauraine Armstrong, regional vice-president Fort Smith; Jeff Groenewegen, regional vice-president Hay River; Craig Black, regional vice-president Kimberlite; Geraldine Penney, Local 345 vice-president. Welcome to the Chamber. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River North. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyananni, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Kenzie MacDonald who is a constituent of mine for Inuvik Boot Lake. Welcome. Quyananni.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to welcome Kim Bailey. She's the Union of Northern Workers director of finance. She lives in Frame Lake. Welcome to the House, Kim, and welcome to the rest of your team as well. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

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Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Brenda Bernhardt. She is my new constituency assistant for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize my constituent Melvin Larocque, who is the UNW 1st vice-president, as well as the rest of the UNW. I thank the Minister of Justice for taking on that task because I was also asked to introduce them as well. So welcome them all to the gallery. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.

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Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a constituent, Mr. Jeff Groenewegen from Hay River. And also a past constituent, Mr. Melvin Larocque. Welcome to today's proceedings.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendah.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize two former constituents from my riding. Rebecca Jumbo, I met her in 1992 when I moved into the Nahendah riding. She has now moved to Yellowknife, and her son, Ace Jumbo Verdock, who is one of our pages. So welcome to our Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendah. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Colleagues, please draw your attention to the presence of Mr. Floyd Powder in the gallery today. Mr. Powder is a retired and long-serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces who served our country both in Canada and overseas. Mr. Powder is an Indigenous northerner from Fort Smith and a keen observer of the Legislative Assembly. Welcome, Mr. Powder. Thank you for your service and for making us proud as northerners.

---Applause.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Welcome, everyone. If we have missed anyone in the gallery, welcome to the Chamber, and I hope you are enjoying the proceedings. It is always nice to have an audience with us.

Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the questions I have are for the Minister of Infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, every spring the issue of dredging in Hay River is discussed, more so now due to the extensive flooding that took place in Hay River this year. We have watched vessels being pulled off sandbars all summer which adds up to a financial and safety cost.

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm what the financial cost has been to MTS due to flooding in Hay River this year? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after each MTS sailing season, we conduct an end of season review. So we looked at a number of things, like the full impact of factors that's influencing the season, the associated costs can only be understood once all the invoices are received once we have completed our review. This analysis is typically completed prior to the end of December. Mr. Speaker, I can commit to providing information to the Member as well as the committee once I've had to review the analysis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to receiving that information from the Minister.

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm what impact silt buildup in the Hay River harbour had on MTS's shipping season; were there delays? Thank you.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a successful sailing season is dependent on many factors, including some that are beyond our control. The factors that influence its success are complex and interconnected. Adjusting sailing departures and schedules are a reality for shipping industry. Silt buildup will be number one factor that will be assessed during the end of our season review. Other factors we will need to include, but may not be limited to, high and low water, barges that washed out at the channel during the spring flooding, the deployment of buoys and weather. At the end of August, MTS barges became stranded in the channel, as the Member had pointed out when I was visiting Hay River during the flood season, which was leading into the Great Slave Lake and had to be towed back to the channel to the terminal, lightened in order to get them out of the harbour.

Mr. Speaker, we know that even a delay in a few days at the front end can result in longer delays back at the end as the barges move north. And encountering changing weather resulting in longer delays to get communities that are requiring a resupply. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm what, if any, discussions have taken place with the federal government on the issue of dredging the Hay River harbour? Thank you.