Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today in my Member's statement I indicated that I think the Beaufort-Delta is being left out again with projects. I'm speaking in terms of the mention of a Deh Cho Bridge and everything over the last couple of days. I understand, Mr. Speaker, that the new highways are the responsibility of the federal government, but at the same time with the recent announcement by the federal government about $25 million over seven years. My question is for the Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Menicoche. I understand that right now they're still trying to find out how that money can be spent. So I'd like to ask the Minister, has his department determined what the stipulations are with regard to that funding, or can that funding be used to construct a 22-kilometre access road to Tuktoyaktuk from source 177? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier, yesterday in his sessional statement, indicated the Mackenzie bridge would proceed as planned. Once again I feel the Beaufort-Delta has been left out on major projects. However, I stand here today to lobby and ask the government to allocate $15 million to construct the 22-kilometre access road from Tuktoyaktuk to source 177.

Mr. Speaker, the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk and members of the Tuk Highway Committee and I have met, on numerous occasions, with Premier Handley, the deputy minister of Transportation, and recently with DIAND Minister Prentice, to lobby and allocate infrastructure funding for the construction of a 22-kilometre access road. Mr. Speaker, if this government can allocate funds to the construction of the 22-kilometre access road, it will provide employment, training and economic stability for local people and regional businesses.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Tuktoyaktuk requires granular material to upgrade their road and prepare for lot developments. The Premier, in his sessional statement on May 9th, 2007, indicated, and I quote, "a lack of infrastructure is perhaps the single biggest impediment for further development in our territory." The Premier further mentioned a base of $25 million annually infrastructure funding will be available for the next seven years. Mr. Speaker, the Premier's promise holds true because if the infrastructure funding is not in place, we will not progress as a territory. By investing some of the $25 million into the construction of the 22-kilometre access road, it will generate employment and contracts for local businesses.

Mr. Speaker and Members, construction of the access road will be the start of an all-weather road between Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to invest some of the $25 million towards the construction of the 22-kilometre access road from Tuk to source 177. Mr. Speaker, by investing into the 22-kilometre access road, it will eventually lead to the construction of the Tuk-Inuvik highway, therefore enabling all Canadians to travel from coast to coast to coast. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege and honour to work with Mr. Garret Ruben and Mrs. Winnie Carpenter during the intense land claim negotiations between COPE and the federal government. They both provided their expertise and knowledge of the land in these negotiations and to eventually promote the signing of the Western Arctic Inuvialuit final settlement claim.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, once again, on behalf of the constituents of Nunakput, I would like to extend my condolences to the families and friends of the late Mr. Garret Ruben of Paulatuk and Mrs. Winnie Carpenter of Sachs Harbour. Although I cannot be there during their time of sorrow and grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, may their families continue to draw the strength and courage to carry on their lifelong traditional values. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome my colleagues from a safe journey to the Sixth Session of the 15th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit and everyone in the Northwest Territories have always shown respect for their elders. In our culture, the elders are respected for their protection of their children and great-grandchildren, and for their knowledge in ensuring the fish, wildlife, water and environment are protected and cared for for future generations to come. Mr. Speaker, I say this because as I was growing up as a child, I was taught some important values from my parents that I still use today and I have passed on to my children.

Mr. Speaker, having said that, I rise today to send my deepest sympathy, regrets and condolences to the families of the late Mr. Garret Ruben of Paulatuk and Mrs. Winnie Carpenter of Sachs Harbour. Both these individuals were very well-respected elders and leaders in their respective communities.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Garret Ruben leaves behind his beloved wife, Olga, children and great-grandchildren. Olga stood beside her beloved husband, Garret, during his long battle with his illness. Mr. Ruben held many portfolios during his lifetime, which included mayor, councillor, COPE board of director, and a director of the hunters' and trappers' committee. Garret was also a distinguished leader in the growth of Paulatuk, and as a hunter, trapper and businessman. He will be greatly missed by his family and his friends along the Beaufort-Delta and across the Northwest Territories. I understand the funeral for the late Mr. Ruben is being held today at 2:00 p.m. in Paulatuk.

Mr. Speaker, another well-known respected elder, Mrs. Winnie Carpenter of Sachs Harbour, passed away peacefully after a long battle with her illness. Mrs. Carpenter leaves behind her husband, Mr. Andy Carpenter, Sr., children and great-grandchildren. Mr. Carpenter and the late Mrs. Carpenter played a very important role and were instrumental in the growth of the community of Sachs Harbour. She was also a COPE board director but, more importantly, a dedicated wife to her husband, Andy Carpenter, and her children. As one would always say: behind every man, there's a good

woman. In this, it held true for Mr. Carpenter. Mr. Speaker, she will be greatly missed by her husband, Andy, her children and great-grandchildren, and to her many friends from the Beaufort-Delta and across the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to seek unanimous consent to complete my statement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister, can his department contact Mr. Voudrach in terms of giving him as much information as the department can give so that at least he will have that information? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister in regard to patients going out for surgeries, what is the protocol for the patient getting surgery? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the protocol, if the coroner is involved, I am just wondering, how long does it usually take for the coroner to make his report? Can it be made public for the family that is involved right away? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Member's statement about the sudden death of Mrs. Voudrach at the Stanton Territorial Hospital, my question is for the Honourable Floyd Roland, the Minister of Health and Social Services. I'd like to ask the Minister, when a death occurs in the operating room, does that cause an immediate investigation on the cause of death? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The sudden death of Mrs. Voudrach of Tuktoyaktuk shocked husband, Paul, his family and residents of Tuktoyaktuk. Mrs. Voudrach broke her wrist by slipping outside the Rosie Ovayuak Centre on February 2, 2007, in Tuktoyaktuk. After complications in her wrist, the local head nurse decided to send her out to the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife on Monday, February 19, 2007, for a wrist operation. My understanding of the situation, she was to have the surgery the following day, on Tuesday, February 20, 2007. Mr. Speaker, for some reason, the surgery was performed on the same evening she arrived at the hospital. Is this a normal practice for people that require surgery on the same day? Complications arose during the operation and eventually Mrs. Voudrach became asphyxiated during the operation and suffered a cardiac arrest. The doctors and staff tried to revive Mrs. Voudrach, but she died on the operating table.

Mr. Speaker, many residents rely on doctors and nurses during minor and major operations. They are specialized in the profession they take and we respect that. However, the question that remains: Did the doctors and staff make the appropriate decision to operate on Mrs. Voudrach that evening? I understand an autopsy was conducted on Mrs. Voudrach and the report won't be available for eight to 10 weeks. Is this a normal time to release information on cause of death?

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Voudrach has publicly announced in the newspaper by asking questions why the operation was conducted on his wife, Norma Voudrach, that evening; why the report of the autopsy will take eight to 10 weeks to become public; and why the Department of Health and Social Services cannot provide him with information on the cause of death. I understand that Mr. Voudrach may be seeking a legal opinion on his wife, Norma Voudrach's death with the Department of Health and Social Services.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, these questions raised by Mr. Voudrach and his family need to be addressed by the Department of Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause