Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a follow-up to my Member's statement, I have a few questions for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. Even though this topic does include Infrastructure, but from previous commitments, I have questions for the Minister. I would like to ask the Minister: when did the Department of Public Works and Services, as it was previously known, advise that a major retrofit or a replacement of Moose Kerr School was not necessary? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have in the past, I rise today to speak about the needs of Aklavik's Moose Kerr School, needs that are just not being met. Let us review what we know. We know that Moose Kerr School was built close to half a century ago, in 1969, the same year as Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik. Samuel Hearne Secondary, though, was demolished in 2013, while Moose Kerr continues to support approximately 15 teachers and 160 students, not to mention a wide range of community and sporting events year-round.

We also know that, although various small projects and...

Mr. Speaker, what criteria indicated to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment that a major retrofit or replacement of Moose Kerr School was not necessary?

I thank the Minister for his reply, but I think the department does need to do a better job. Will the Minister ensure that, in the future, when this ferry is closed, they will work with the community? They have CBQM, which is well known throughout the territory. They give constant updates, you know, as people go on the radio. During the weekends, nobody is updating the ferry situation. Will the Minister and the department ensure they work with the communities in the future?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my Member's statement, I have some questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister: can the Minister describe the criteria that the department uses to assess whether or not the Abraham Francis Ferry will operate? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, how often is a refresher or professional development training made available to the marine division, who makes the call to operate or to shut down the operations of our ferries? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This most recent disruption lasted for six days, with many people waiting day to day. How does the department communicate service disruptions or provide advance warning of possible service disruptions to Northerners and visitors?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, I'd like to welcome my colleagues back to the House. As we all know, this will be a busy sitting as our second session draws to a close. Today, though, I want to start with an update from the communities of the Mackenzie Delta.

Mr. Speaker, most of last week disruption in the operation of the Abraham Francis Ferry stranded residents, students, tourists, truckers, and essential services like fuel and groceries on the south side of the Peel River. Fortunately, residents of Fort McPherson stepped up to the plate to help stranded drivers, travelling by boat to bring...

Mr. Speaker, let me acknowledge a couple of people who have served the NWT for several years in their respective departments.

Ms. Debbie Greenland, manager for her department for three communities of Fort McPherson, Aklavik, and Tuktoyaktuk. Debbie Greenland was employed with the Health and Social Services Authority since 1980 until 2017, 37 years of service, dedicated to her field of helping families and assisting with our schools, working as a community liaison to ensure families are safe and living in a healthy family environment. Let me congratulate and thank Debbie for all the years of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Sorry, I didn't catch you there. I just have a question under forest management under Fort McPherson, Schiltee Lookout Tower Upgrade. From what I understand, the plan was to move the location of where the department was planning to put it. I would just like to verify that, thank you.