Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. I recall last year the Minister was saying that the ferry would be ready for replacement if an emergency was to happen, so that ferry should be operational.

I’d like to ask the Minister, will the Minister replace the Louis Cardinal vessel with the Merv Hardie? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to ask the Minister, what was the estimated cost of damages to the vessel this fall? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to wish one of the most respected elders in the Mackenzie Delta a very happy 99th birthday.

Gwich’in elder Mrs. Mary Kendi, from Aklavik, is to be commended for reaching a milestone on living a healthy lifestyle. Mary has singlehandedly raised her children and provided a safe home for them.

Mary, in her life, has hunted, trapped and even owned her own dog team. In her 99 years of living, I wish to acknowledge Mary for promoting the Gwich’in culture and for speaking the Gwich’in language to many of us who know her.

Mary Kendi has a huge...

For a minute there, I thought they were going to replace both those buildings.

Just on another note, it has to do with forestry as well. Two of the communities, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic, are looking to do some preparation around the communities in the way of firebreaks. Both communities are in line with the forest and we need to ensure there’s some kind of break in case of a major forest fire.

Would the Minister be willing to work with the communities to ensure that happens? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, March 6, 2014, I will move that Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the first time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In January the Minister of Transportation accompanied me on a tour of the Mackenzie Delta and while we were in Tsiigehtchic the community asked a question to the department, so I’d like to also ask the same question to the Minister.

Has the department considered starting at 8:00 a.m. until midnight as suggested by the community of Tsiigehtchic?

Will the department also be repairing the Merv Hardie this year? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past fall was the first time the Department of Transportation extended the ferry service in Tsiigehtchic. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation, when will the work begin to repair the Louis Cardinal ferry for service in June? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That was my next question. When will the department make necessary changes to their policy to allow a nurse to be placed in a community such as Tsiigehtchic? Thank you.

Back in I believe it was 2001 we did have a nurse in Tsiigehtchic that did work very well in the community. I think all we need to do is amend those policies to what we had in 2001 and that will fix the situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.