Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Small things, like repairs on public housing units or getting a service man who lives in Inuvik to do work on your property, can turn into a big deal if they don't get it done on time because you're waiting for the ice to freeze. Our ferry operators have an important job. They rely on employment for the ferry in a region where there is very little economic activity at the moment and jobs are few. We want to avoid forcing these people out of work. We see the real cost of unemployment when we look at the strain on our social safety nets.

Mr. Speaker...

Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to leave for the summer, I just want to ask the Minister of Housing a couple of questions here. You know, we were supposed to get a couple units barged on the Mackenzie River. I just want to make sure that, you know, I know all the buoys should be in place by now and so I’m going to make sure that everything’s on track and will these mobile homes actually be shipped down the river over the summer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, when the Minister says reduced services, what does that entail? Is it a full closure or just limited services?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know in the community meeting that was held this spring the department said that they would look into possibly getting water from the Peel River which would bring down the cost of delivering water in the community. Is the department looking at that for this coming fall? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, with earlier discussions with the Minister, I know that we are awaiting the audit to get things back to the way it used to be. I would like to ask the Minister what is being done to stabilize local water rates and other municipal services in the community.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, residents of Fort McPherson are paying astronomical water bills as the hamlet tries to correct a difficult financial situation on the backs of homeowners. Mr. Speaker, I heard a number of concerns this week from constituents whose water services are being reduced to once a week. People were aware of the hamlet’s financial problem and how that impacts their bills, but now they are in arrears, Mr. Speaker. People who make an honest effort to make payments on time and provide clean and healthy homes for their families. Mr. Speaker, these people do not live in...

Mr. Speaker, I know we only have two months here of barging season. I know it should be three. But you know, by the time September comes around, the water is so low that, you know, the barges have difficulty here. If these units do not make it to Tsiigehtchic and also Aklavik too is supposed to get a couple there, I believe. You know, what’s the department’s plan if that doesn’t work out again this summer?

Mr. Speaker, I just want to ask the Minister, this wouldn’t affect any medical travel or anything that’s already booked that may happen during this time?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just have a couple questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I just got a memo here that, you know, there will be reduced nursing services in Aklavik between June 30th and July 9th. I’d just like to ask the Minister, what’s the reasoning behind this? Is it due to holidays? Or just what’s the reasoning for this? Thank you.

What I meant to say was the actual water rates that people paid before. Mr. Speaker, people in the community are paying twice as much as any other community in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister agree to look into the most recent issues and help Fort McPherson manage its water services in a way that is affordable and adequate for the residents?