Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this summer a constituent reached out to my office, and their story left a lasting impression on me. Their child, like one in five Canadians, has dyslexia, which creates challenges in learning to read. The child was not diagnosed until grade 5 however, when their family took the initiative to get them assessed in the private sector. This family was lucky enough to have insurance through their employer which covered the assessment, but this is not the case for all NWT kids. The assessment report was forwarded to the school who developed the learning plan, which is a good step. But, Mr. Speaker, this disability should have been detected sooner, and I am concerned about how many kids in the territory with learning impediments like dyslexia are going undiagnosed.

Literacy is foundational to learning, Mr. Speaker, but we have very little data on our progress on literacy in the NWT. The last time a comprehensive study of adult literacy was done was over 20 years ago in 2003. These data indicated that at the time, roughly 43 percent of working NWT adults performed at literacy levels 1 and 2, which are considered below the level needed to function in modern society. The NWT has not taken part in more recent global literacy surveys, such as the OECD 2024 program for the international assessment of adult competencies. Meanwhile, our last territorial literacy strategy covered the period 2008 to 2018 and, to my knowledge, it has been not renewed or updated since.

Other jurisdictions are well ahead of the territory on this issue, Mr. Speaker. In Alberta, in 2022, literacy and numeracy screening assessments became mandatory for students in grade 1 to 3, ensuring that students are receiving essential foundational learning in the critical early years of their education. BC and Saskatchewan are also rolling out mandatory early screening intervention and outreach in their provinces' schools. Mr. Speaker, the Yukon presented their renewed literacy strategy in 2023. It is the result of working group recommendations for culturally responsive teaching methods based on the latest research, and it includes early screening done in the territory's schools.

Making sure our children are given every opportunity to develop their literacy skills shouldn't be an afterthought, Mr. Speaker. We need to make sure early literacy screening and assessments are done in our schools and that schools are equipped with trained staff and proven instructional methods to ensure our students are not falling behind. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake.

Colleagues, I'd like to recognize newly elected grand chief for the Tlicho, former Member of the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th Assembly. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Jackson Lafferty in the 18th and 19th. So welcome to our Assembly.

Member's statements.

Colleagues, on March 16th, 2025, Reginald Bellefontaine, also known as Reg, passed away in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Reg was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, known for his boundless generosity and his knack for turning life into an adventure. A master of laughter and magic, Reg had an extraordinary ability to bring joy to those around him, whether through his memorable treasure hunts for his children and grandchildren, his quick wit, or the countless projects he took on.

Reg moved to Fort Simpson in 1996 with his wife Lois who was a nurse at the Fort Simpson Health Centre for many years. Reg was a businessman and started Rightway Coatings and Energy Efficient Technologies Incorporated. Later when he retired, he had a vision to open a bed and breakfast. Lois and Reg spent a few years renovating their home, which used to be the old RCMP barracks, and turned it into the Mackenzie Rest Inn. The Inn overlooks the Mackenzie River where guests could sit and watch planes take off like the red DeHavilland Beaver that his son Troy Rennie used to fly for Simpson Air. They hosted guests from all around the world and even some notable Canadians like former Prime Minister Paul Martin and singer John Landry. Reg also loved animals and established a dog pound to ensure stray and unwanted dogs could be cared for and transferred to no-kill shelters in Yellowknife and cities in Alberta rather than being destroyed in the community.

When Reg first moved to Fort Simpson, he was involved with the Lions Club and helped run community dances. This is where I got to meet him, through his volunteerism. He did magic shows for children at community events and was even asked to be Santa at the Northern store a few times.

As an unofficial greeter and ambassador, Reg could be found at the Pandaville or Nahanni Inn welcoming visitors to the community. He would often delight them with a magic trick or a joke. He had the ability to tell stories and keep people captivated.

Reg returned home to Nova Scotia to build a home on the site of his parents' homestead. He dedicated a lot of his time to landscaping the property, building a foundation in the front yard, and developing a pond. He was sad the day his health prevented him from ever being able to return to the NWT. He was a proud Acadian who became a true Northerner.

Above all, Reg's greatest love was his family. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lois; his sons Troy, Kris, and Josh, and his stepson Troy Rennie. He cherished his time with his family and grandchildren, creating memories that will live on for generations. His legacy of kindness, adventures, and unwavering devotion will forever be held in the hearts of his family and friends. He will be sadly missed.

Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like many in here, I've spent countless hours in recreation facilities in our territory, either as a coach or a volunteer or an enthusiastic fan, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, in 1969, the Arctic Winter Games were created in part by leadership from Commissioner Stewart Hodgson. At the time athletes be able to participate that may not otherwise have that opportunity, Mr. Speaker. I was saddened to hear that snowshoeing will not be an Arctic Winter Games sport.

Mr. Speaker, Arctic Winter Games represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for kids from the regions, from smaller communities, and certainly from our capital in Yellowknife. So, Mr. Speaker, is it time that we kind of ask ourselves is the Arctic Winter Games about medals, or is it about participation, Mr. Speaker? Is it about getting everyone involved in the Arctic Winter Games?

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the physical activity support and recreation fund has had some challenges. Our lottery funds have been reducing. We haven't put any additional funding into it through GNWT. We have had conversations around here. My colleague, the Member for Yellowknife Range Lake, Mr. Speaker, has brought forward a proposal for iGaming where we can actually look at increasing that fund and get that funding necessary to continue to grow that sport and to make the sport available that opens up doors for kids rather than have sports based on where facilities are located, Mr. Speaker, and I think that's very important.

So, Mr. Speaker, going forward, I would hope, and I will be supporting certainly the Minister -- and I know the Minister is keen on this, the Minister of MACA -- of what's happening around Arctic Winter Games. I am hoping to see, Mr. Speaker, regardless of what we have in our lottery fund, going forward with this year's budget that we do properly allocate this funding. Given what's happening in our territory right now, Mr. Speaker, with addictions and with all the bad things that our youth can get involved in, it's so important that we continue to support sport, to continue to provide opportunities for people in our capital, for people in our regions, and certainly for people in our smaller communities that may not have those opportunities, Mr. Speaker. We can hold trials in the regions. We can get outside of Yellowknife as well and ensure that everybody, the intent, the spirit of Arctic Winter Games, remains intact and what it should be, that kids get an opportunity to do things, a once in a lifetime opportunity, Mr. Speaker, for these children, to get out, to see parts of the country they haven't seen before, participate, to share their culture and their values, and, Mr. Speaker, I will be advocating, as I said, for funding for Arctic Winter Games as we move forward and for Sport North. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also wanted to recognize former Member and former Speaker who I worked with as deputy Speaker and current grand chief of the Tlicho government, Mr. Jackson Lafferty. Great partner to the GNWT and has been great to work with him to help advance some of these projects that the territory desperately needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Hay River North. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize my supervisor, constituency assistant from Hay River South, Myrtle Graham, who is in the gallery today. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Hay River South. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just had a meeting with a very passionate 10-year-old student advocate, Ms. Sadie Begg, who is in the gallery today, from Ecole St. Joseph School. I just wanted to thank her for her time and her passion.

Thank you, Member from Kam Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wish to join the Premier in welcoming Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty here to the chamber. I had the honour of serving with him in the 18th Legislative Assembly, and I consider him a very good friend. So thanks for being here today, Grand Chief.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Monfwi.

Mr. Speaker, [Translation] *insert [Translation Ends]. Masi for being here.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

I'd like to recognize my favourite pilot, who seems to be my pilot that every time I get to fly to Yellowknife, Mr. Oweden, and I guess better half or less-better half, of the Member from Kam Lake. So welcome to our Assembly.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to your chambers. As I've said numerous times, we like to thank you very much for allowing us, the 19 of us, to represent the people of the Northwest Territories for four years. I hope you are enjoying the proceedings. It is always nice to have people in the gallery.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't have the exact details of the overall wait times or anything. But what I do know is that the amount of staff that's allocated through our budgeting process is full, and they have been increasing the amount -- like, the amounts of referrals for blood work have been increasing and therefore there is work to be looking on -- you know, I mean, through our business process on this area as a prioritized area for access to care. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the staff are unable to meet the demand, what's the solution? Is it to hire more staff, or is it to send samples of the lab techs, what they take, to Edmonton? Can the Minister reveal the solution to this particular problem; because I've got them. I want to hear what the Minister's doing about it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the solution is that the demand is higher, so we are working through the business process that would look at the right amount of staff for the right amount of tests that we have to decrease the amount of tests that we have to send out. We need more lab technicians. We need more lab, you know, assistants. We need different hours. So what has happened -- and just to be more clear -- is the service providing downtown clinic is the same staffing that has always been the allocation for the Stanton lab. So now they're just kind of spread out in two different locations, which is not working. And so I will say that this area is what we've been kind of working on so that hopefully that, you know, in the new year we'll be able to have a better solution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Mr. Speaker, the next comment is no reflection of the staff, but it seems like the staff are unable to keep up with the pace and the demand that's there, which is sometimes reality, Mr. Speaker. And the constituents -- last point I'll make -- is they show up there, unlike the DMV they can't take a ticket, some of them can't stand because they're elderly, they're waiting for 35 people for 32 spots. It's quite a depressing experience, Mr. Speaker. So in short, Mr. Speaker, if Stanton has an addiction to deficits, as we all know -- and I have a lot of experience around this -- why doesn't the Minister take some bold action to go out of her way and say, we're hiring new staff for these clinics and we're going to make this service equal, fair, and accessible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member has said, that the health authority has a history of doing that process but not being able to do it in a way where we need to ensure that it's done in the proper process, and that is what we are doing right now. We are ensuring that the proper process is being followed and that we are going to look at the correct amount of staff to staff -- to look at what the staffing needs is for the Stanton Territorial Hospital to support. As the Stanton Territorial Hospital supports the rest of the territory, we need to make sure that when we do go forward, it's going to be the one size that's going to target everybody right across the territory. We're going to be able to run those tests that we need. We're going to be able to service the emergency departments. We're going to be able to open up those clinics so that, you know, that the appointments are being -- there is enough staff to do them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.