Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Bella Jean Stewart, one of my constituents from Aklavik; also Lauren Ross, the daughter of Richard and Sally Ross from Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, barely two years ago the government released its long-term Transportation Strategy. Improving our ferry system is consistent with the strategy's priorities and actions.

Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Delta relies on the Louis Cardinal ferry. Before making reductions to this critical piece of infrastructure, let's consider where we want our transportation system to go.

Getting new capital projects is a slow process, Mr. Speaker. We have to take steps toward approving a replacement for the Louis Cardinal ferry now -- and if not a new...

Under the definition here, maybe it should be specified for specific to that organization because, under this heading here, it should be almost proposal-driven, the way this is labelled here. When you read this here, it seems like anyone can access this. Maybe you should be more specific in the future. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Next, under the seniors’ fund, $205,000 available funding to support eligible applicants in their activities towards promoting the independent and well-being of seniors and elders in the NWT. As the Minister and deputy may know, in my riding, a number of elders still live on the land, whether it is at 8-miles or down the Husky River or along the Peel, throughout the Delta. Would they be available to access this program? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a few comments to the budget. You know, I was hoping to see, once again, staffing for nursing in this budget. I haven't seen that yet, but I know the department is doing a good job in that department. I'll just mention the community at Tsiigehtchic really appreciates when we do have the nurse during freeze-up and break-up. Really, the community comes together and welcomes whoever comes to the community.

One thing: during my last constituency meeting someone brought up a great idea which I will be doing a statement later during session on, but, you know what, they...

The future prosperity of the Northwest Territories depends on a strong transportation system. How does the Northwest Territories transportation strategy consider their placement of ferries?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my Member's statement I have a few questions for the Minister of Transportation. I would like the ask the Minister: what is the life span of the Louis Cardinal ferry and what is the plan for its ends of life? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, to start, I'd like to take you on a virtual tour of life in the Mackenzie Delta.

Say you were from Aklavik, Fort McPherson, or Tsiigehtchic. You'd likely be Aboriginal, often Gwich'in or Inuvialuit, and chances are you were actually born in Inuvik, where the closest hospital is.

Life wouldn't be cheap, Mr. Speaker. Maybe you'd be one of our residents making less than $15,000 a year. That's 41.9 per cent of people in Aklavik, 33.3 per cent of people in Fort McPherson, and 36.4 per cent in Tsiigehtchic.

If your family income hovers around the local average of $70,957...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Louis Cardinal ferry needs to be a higher priority. The Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway will be finished later this year, opening the region to industry and bringing more traffic to the ferry crossing.

Mr. Speaker, the Louis Cardinal is an old vessel. It's been sailing for close to 45 years. There has been talk of replacing it with the Merv Hardie ferry, Mr. Speaker, but the Merv Hardie is even older. Things have changed a lot in Mackenzie Delta in the last 45 years. Transportation technology is improving. Instead of retrofitting an old ferry, we could...

Under the current funding here, it should be available to all seniors. It seems pretty specific to one area whereas, say in the Delta, we don't have much for NGOs up in the Beaufort Delta region; there are very limited programs that elders up in that area can access. Thank you.