Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to mention the Marine Training Centre in Hay River. This centre has proven successful achievements for a few of my constituents with the training they received. No doubt this will improve safety and security of NWT marine operations.

This has a very positive outlook for the Mackenzie Delta. We have two ferries that operate in my riding, the Abraham Francis on the Peel River and the Louis Cardinal on the Mackenzie River. The way I look at it, the more participants we can encourage to take this training means more employment for local and regional residents...

I know that the department is trying to sell you on how its switch would free up other spaces. Has the department sold any units to date, which the department can now replace?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a few questions for the Minister of Housing. Pretty much every one of my constituency meetings, I get concerns about long waiting lists for housing, upwards of three years. I'd like to ask the Minister: are there plans to increase our housing stock in our communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have said a number of times in this House what a good job the department is doing, building new homes, but a lot of times all we're doing is replacing units, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask: when can our residents expect to see our number of housing units increase rather than staying at the same level?

Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Today is World Climate Change Day. It is important to note that this is a very significant day. We all need to do our part in preventing impacts to the Northwest Territories, Canada, and the rest of the world. There is evidence over the past years that our land is drastically changing. This, of course, is due to climate change.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has taken a strategic approach to developing renewable energy sources. Mr. Speaker, more planning and promoting on our part should be taken seriously. These energy-efficient solutions ensure the...

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The motion is in order and is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will now rise and report progress. Thank you, committee.

Thank you. Committee, we have agreed to consider Minister's Statement 131-18(3): Sessional Statement. I will now open the floor to comments on Minister's Statement 131-18(3): Sessional Statement.

Seeing no comments, does committee agree that we have concluded consideration of Minister's Statement 131-18(3): Sessional Statement?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, the Peel River is clear. There is no debris in the rivers, on the river. Will the Minister and the department put the Abraham Francis in first, before the Louis Cardinal? As I say, the community is almost out of gasoline. We only have one supplier left in the community, and people want to restock their supplies, as well.

These inspections have never been an issue in the past. Is it because of increased changes to the inspections, or what is causing the delays of those inspections?

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome everyone back to the Assembly for our spring session.

Mr. Speaker, one of the communities in my riding of the Mackenzie Delta, Fort McPherson, is situated right along the Peel River. The Peel River ice reports state that the ice first started moving on Monday of last week and was clear last Thursday. The ice conditions in Tsiigehtchic reports say that the Red River is clear, the Mackenzie ice is thinning, and the water levels are quite low.

At the end of April, both ice crossings on the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers closed for the season. I have...