David Ramsay

Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of our people is a priority for each of us here. I rise today to give you an example of what we can accomplish when individuals take up the challenge to be safer every day and make smart choices.

Prevention, education and awareness are priorities for this Assembly and the work is showing encouraging results. The year 2011 was a very safe year on our roads, trails and waterways. For the first time on record, there were no fatal collisions. There were no pedestrians or snowmobilers killed. No one was involved in a fatal ATV collision. And there were no drownings...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, titled “Northwest Territories Marketing Plan, 2012-2013.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I know we do work with the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of ECE, and to the specifics of whether we’re working with the rec associations around the Northwest Territories, again, I think if we’re going to have continued success in delivering safety, it is important that we work with partners around the Northwest Territories. I again will commit to getting back to the Member on how we have interacted with those organizations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s a great idea and that’s how ideas are born. I think we need to be looking to Regular Members to supply us with ideas on how we can enhance public education and awareness when it comes to safety on the water, on our roads, on our trails. Certainly as we move forward, we’ll be looking for partners to help us deliver that safety message. I appreciate the Member’s comments.

We are in the process of putting together another plan that will just lead again to stressing the importance of our transportation infrastructure here in the Northwest Territories and how we can avail ourselves of some substantial capital dollars to carry out the work that is required there. So I think the Member can look forward to us continuing to pursue that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The condition of Highway No. 7 is important to the Government of the Northwest Territories and the folks who live in Nahendeh and the Deh Cho region. We certainly will be trying to set up a meeting with my counterpart, Minister Lebel. I will be in Ottawa from the 27th to the 29th, and I’m hoping to have the opportunity to sit down with Minister Lebel at that time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve had many discussions with the community of Trout Lake. We continue to pursue the relocation of the airport in Trout Lake. It has been delayed, but we continue to work with the community to maximize the benefits for employment and training at the community level. We will continue to work with the community of Trout Lake to finish the project.

My belief is that there are many individuals in the smaller communities who could benefit from becoming field assistants when it comes to prospecting and that’s the angle that I’d certainly like to see the department continue to pursue so that we can get people to work in the smaller communities, helping prospectors out on the land.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a great pleasure to welcome the Grade 5 class from N.J. Macpherson located in the great riding of Kam Lake. I’d like to welcome all our young visitors to the Assembly today.

In particular I’ve got a few constituents I wanted to recognize. Sade Blondin, Brady Harbin, and Julia Bikbaeva. I also believe Aidan Drew is my constituent, as well, so I’ll recognize Aidan as well. I once again thank them for wearing pink on Anti-Bullying Day and welcome to the House.

I’d be happy to provide the Member with that timeline and an update on the status of the relocation of the airport in Trout Lake.