Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d first like to start by congratulating the Department of Transportation on winning the Silver Award from the Institute of Public Administrators of Canada for the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project. With that, I have a few questions on the project itself. I know a decision has been made formally approving the Inuvik-Tuk highway, which is the first step of the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project.

Thank you. I do realize that it does cost more to operate the Merv Hardie because it actually runs longer than the Louis Cardinal does. So I’m not sure if the Minister is aware of that. Two hours every day over the duration of the summer adds up. I strongly believe that that’s the reason that it costs more to operate. Also, that ferry is open a lot longer than the Louis Cardinal. I know we are getting close to the end of October and there is no ice on the river yet, on the Mackenzie. The main thing is to keep the cost of living down for the Mackenzie Delta, and I strongly believe that having...

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just going to the budget. I’d like to stress the need for an extension to the airport in Aklavik. I do not see it in the plans over the next few years but I just wanted to stress that it is needed for the community to expand the runway there, just for safety reasons. It was done in Fort McPherson, and I believe there were plans to do the same in Aklavik and I would just like to stress to the Minister that I would really appreciate it if that was in the budget for the coming year.

I’d like to ask the Minister when equipment will start moving and people will be working in the Beaufort-Delta region.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the former Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. David Krutko. I’d like to thank him for all his hard work over the years.

Thank you. Long-term care, I feel, is the department’s responsibility and I’m very glad for what Housing is doing, but I’d like to ask the department to actually put it in their budget for next year’s plans to do a capital infrastructure for an actual elders facility.

WHEREAS Section 2(1) of the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act prescribes that an Electoral Boundaries Commission be established within two years after the day fixed for the return of the writs for the 2011 general election;

AND WHEREAS Section 2(2) of the act requires that the commission shall be composed of a chairperson and two other members appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make such a recommendation;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Northwest...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member’s statement, I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services: Will the Minister increase the funds provided to the community of Tsiigehtchic for the wellness worker position? Thank you.

I thank the Minister for his answers there. I look forward to working with him on an ongoing basis. Thank you.