Legislative Assembly photo

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Calvin Pokiak is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 2007, as MLA for Nunakput

Lost his last election, in 2007, with 12% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Recognition Of Nunakput Athletes In Arctic Winter Games March 15th, 2004

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement is with regard to recognition of Nunakput athletes at the Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Today, I rise to recognize a number of young athletes from my riding of Nunakput who were representing the NWT in Arctic sports and basketball at the recent Arctic Winter Games held in Fort McMurray, Alberta. These young athletes came from the small communities of Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk, Holman and Tuktoyaktuk. I am confident that each athlete represented the NWT professionally, competitively and with sportsmanship.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to name the following young athletes who participated in this event.

In Arctic sports, from Holman, Victoria Akhiatak, Dale Kigiyok, Bryon Okheena, Heather Okheena and Gary Okheena; from Paulatuk, Jonathan Dillon; from Sachs Harbour, Chelsey Elanik and Christine Esau; from Tuktoyaktuk, Kristy Anderson, Matthew Anikina, Craig Gruben and Steven Kotokak.

In basketball, Randal Emaghok from Tuktoyaktuk. Honourable mention should go to Logan Gruben from Tuktoyaktuk as an alternate in basketball. Thank you to Corrine Carpenter for chaperoning and Edgar Kotokak for coaching these fine athletes.

Mr. Speaker, many of these young athletes had never before competed in such a highly-recognized sports venue. Without the support of MACA, Sports and Recreation and Sport North, these young athletes would not have been able to compete. I would like to encourage Sports and Recreation, the Department of MACA and Sport North to continue to support all young athletes for future competition in events such as the Arctic Winter Games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Health And Social Services Staffing Levels January 19th, 2004

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to speak about health and social services and staffing in my riding of Nunakput. For the past number of years, the Nunakput riding has experienced reductions in services and staffing. A number of other concerns are raised by my constituents, such as elderly patients traveling without escorts and the lack of translation services. Recently, Mr. Speaker, on my return to Yellowknife, I received a short memo from the Minister of Health and copy of the letter indicating the closure of the health centre in Paulatuk, from January 6th to the 9th, 2004. This concerns me as well as my constituents.

The Inuvik Regional Hospital may at times provide translation services. Plus, let's not forget the Inuvialuit. There are different languages, dialects. How can this be addressed to ensure my constituents receive proper translation services? Also, Mr. Speaker, escorts for elderly patients should be reviewed because our loved ones may not feel comfortable when traveling alone to an urban or city centre.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, these reductions in services and staffing cause great frustration both to the nurses, doctors and the public. So where do we go from here?

In closing, Mr. Speaker, again, I will follow up with the Health Minister on these issues sometime during the next session of the legislature. Thank you.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery December 10th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my son Darren Pokiak up here and his uncle Rick Kikoak. I would also like to recognize my daughter, along with Gilbert Thrasher and his wife Lottie from Paulatuk, and also my brother Ernest Pokiak from Tuktoyaktuk and also Blake Noksana. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Appreciation To Constituents Of Nunakput December 10th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations on your election as Speaker and to Premier Handley on his election as Premier. First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my wife Lucille, and my sons, Bertram and Darren -- you'll have to excuse me, I'm getting emotional right now -- and my daughter Letitia. Without their full support and commitment over the next four years I would not have considered running in this election. Thank you to them very much. I would like to thank the constituents of Holman, Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk for electing me to represent them as their MLA for Nunakput.

The constituents of Nunakput are the true winners because my voice is their voice in this legislature. I will be back home pretty soon visiting them to talk to them again and raise the concerns and issues that they told me to bring up in the legislature in the new year.

Thanks also to my brother, Charles Pokiak -- he was my campaign manager and official agent -- and the 15 individuals who signed the nomination form for me to run in this election. It showed that they had the confidence in me to represent the people of Nunakput.

I also would like to say thank you to Vince Steen for running a good campaign and challenge. I wish Vince Steen and his family all the best in the future.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, congratulations to all the elected and acclaimed MLAs in the House today. Together we can make a difference for our constituents and for the NWT. To my constituents, as I was campaigning, remember: Cal is your pal. Mahsi, kuyananni, thank you.

---Applause