Another aspect of capacity building is in delivering training opportunities to residents in the region. Can the Minister detail the training opportunities available to residents?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Transportation regarding the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, specifically about the progress the department has made to fulfill the social and environment commitments made before construction began. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to wish the Team NWT athletes participating in the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Iqaluit, Nunavut and Nuuk, Greenland all the best as they gather to display sportsmanship and fair play during the circumpolar celebration. I'd like to commend the following athletes from Nunakput who are attending Arctic Sports: Gemma Gruben, Agnes Kregnektak, Cassandra Kuptana, Sophie Dufour, Dawson Elias, Jacob Pokiak, Blaine Pingo, Robin Raddy Jr., Mikayla Jacobson, Jewell Kuvik, my nephew Joel Thrasher Jr., and their coach Mr. Charles Komiak. I'd also like to commend the following athletes for the snowshoe biathlon: Lucy Anokina and Jacob Klinkenberg. I would like to wish all the athletes safe travels to and from the Arctic Winter Games. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Medical travel escorts is something I hear a lot of concern about from my constituents, especially for elders. Could the Minister explain how decisions are made about escorts and how the process is being improved? Quyanini, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister mentioned that the department is working to modernize the medical travel program. Could he please tell us more about the project, and what progress has been made?

Quanani, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Medical travel is an important part of health care in the NWT, especially in Nunakput where all communities are fly-in communities, so accessing services outside the community requires air travel. This is a necessary but significant expense. Could the Minister tell us what the cost of medical travel is for the NWT, and if you're going to look at ways to reduce that cost? Quanani, Mr. Speaker.

Quyanini, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the Pages who are here working at the Ledge this week. Welcome all of you. Welcome to Mitchell Inuktalik who is a grade 8 student in Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok. Also, welcome to Kolton Inuktalik who is a grade 9 student from Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok. And also to their chaperone, Gary Okheena, who may be in the gallery. I do not see him on the other side. Gary has spent time volunteering and was recently at the Northern Dene Games Summit in Inuvik two weekends ago. Thanks, Gary, for volunteering your time towards youth and keeping our culture strong. Quyanini, Mr. Speaker.

Quyanini, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my last point: Midwifery education is important as mothers-to-be are being brought to Inuvik during the most vulnerable time before giving birth, while this should be the very strongest part, as women need support from their families during their last month of pregnancy. This concludes my statement. Quyanini.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.