Calvin Pokiak

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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister providing information but again, I think, this is a gravel source that’s really required by the community and I think it’s really important that if government wants to help people build pads and build roads, access roads and stuff like that, I think for the community of Tuktoyaktuk, this is one issue that’s really important to their hearts and that it’s really important that they find the funds for the allocation from Tuk to Inuvik, the 22 kilometres. Thank you, Mr, Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister, has the government decided which priorities are in place right now with regard to spending that money and is the access road to source 177 to Tuk one of the highest priorities? Thank you.

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...

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...

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. 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. 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. 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. 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...