Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a couple of quick general comments in regard to…(inaudible)…department. I’d just like to say a few things in regard to what’s been happening in the smaller communities, Madam Chair. The first comment I’d like to make is, as we all know, there’s a shortage of nurses in the small communities. Plus we get a lot of information from the department with regard to the reduction of services, especially in the small communities.

Having said that, I’d like to refer to page 2 of page 5 of the Minister’s opening comments. They estimate that $4 million in new initiatives is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister of Public Works and Services indicate exactly when that problem will be rectified? He mentioned that they're looking at maybe changing the pipeline. I'm just wondering, when can the people of Sachs Harbour have the water treatment plant running in correct order? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s not very often I get people from back home to come down to the Assembly here in the gallery. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my brother, Ernest Pokiak. Mr. Pokiak is the regional airport manager for Tuktoyaktuk, Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk. He’s also a board member of the Arctic College Board of Governors. I would like to welcome him today.

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Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a quick question for the Minister in regard to page 4 of 5 of his opening remarks. I am just going to refer to the toll-free health line. In 2005, they indicated there were 5,000 calls. Can the Minister just quickly explain what the actual cost was for the toll-free line and give an example of what kind of nature of call it was? Was it just for a cold or something more serious? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm just wondering, I know last week I asked the Minister in regard to if the contract was given out. I'm just wondering, this is 2004, the summer of 2004. It's been very costly finding the contractor, the freezing up of the problem. When I made a visit to Sachs Harbour in early January, Mr. Speaker, you know, I talked with the Minister about this on my return visit back to Yellowknife and it appears that early January to now, and I don't know how much longer it's going to take to rectify the problem. I'm just wondering, what more can the department do? The people...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I did a Member's statement in regard to the water treatment plant in Sachs Harbour. I understand that early last week they had major problems again with the treatment plant freezing up in Sachs. Mr. Speaker, the project started in the summer of 2004, and we're in 2006 now and they're still encountering the same problems of freezing up at the water plant and also the pipeline intake. My question is for the Minister of Public Works and Services. Can he give us an update from last week in regard to what the department has done to rectify the problem? Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I read the list of participants chosen to represent the Northwest Territories at Arctic Winter Games in Alaska. Today, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the athletes from the riding of Nunakput. If I may, Mr. Speaker, I would like to list them individually.

In arctic sports, from Paulatuk - Marion Green, Arlin Ruben, Jonathan Dillon; from Tuktoyaktuk - Jenne Kotokak, Matthew Anikina, Craig Gruben, Steven Kotokak; from Ulukhaktok - Tyler Inuktalik, Joey Kunana.

The alternates in arctic sports, Mr. Speaker, from Ulukhaktok - Shane Alikamik, Adrianne...

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just for clarification in regard to the 73 public housing replacement units. I have 185. I think for clarification, if you replace 73 public housing units, that is not really addressing some of the housing shortage. How can I rephrase the question? Seventy-three replacement units; will those be new units over and above the 185? I just need clarification. Thank you, Madam Chair.