Herbert Nakimayak

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the costs of living in Nunakput. Nunakput communities have among the highest community price index in the Northwest Territories. Prices are almost twice as high as in Yellowknife, and Nunakput communities do not benefit from highway or infrastructure. Goods are barged or flown into the communities. Still, labour and professional services are not always available. For example, doctors and tradespeople are flown in. People fly to Inuvik or Yellowknife for medical treatment. A flight from Inuvik to Ulukhaktok in one of our...

Adding to that, is the department doing anything to build on these programs?

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Suicide is a major concern in the NWT and particularly in the Beaufort-Delta region where we have the highest rates of suicide in the territory. Suicide is preventable and most people who die by suicide show warning signs. What is the department doing to prevent suicide and raise awareness of the issue in the NWT? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide some examples of things being done in the Nunakput riding to address suicide? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

There is no single cause of suicide, but one of the warning signs is withdrawal from family and friends. What resources are available to directly support someone who might be thinking about suicide if they are withdrawn from those who might have intervened to help them?

Quanani, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to acknowledge Geoff Ray in the gallery. I was with Geoff Ray when his team won the $600,000 of the Arctic Inspiration Prize, so welcome, Geoff.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide assurance that the department is implementing its environment stewardship responsibilities for this project? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Another aspect of capacity building is in delivering training opportunities to residents in the region. Can the Minister detail the training opportunities available to residents?

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to wish the Team NWT athletes participating in the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Iqaluit, Nunavut and Nuuk, Greenland all the best as they gather to display sportsmanship and fair play during the circumpolar celebration. I'd like to commend the following athletes from Nunakput who are attending Arctic Sports: Gemma Gruben, Agnes Kregnektak, Cassandra Kuptana, Sophie Dufour, Dawson Elias, Jacob Pokiak, Blaine Pingo, Robin Raddy Jr., Mikayla Jacobson, Jewell Kuvik, my nephew Joel Thrasher Jr., and their coach Mr. Charles Komiak. I'd also...

During the environmental assessment for the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway project, the Department of Transportation made many commitments about reducing its impacts on the environment and the people of the Inuvialuit settlement region. My question is: how does the department track its progress on these commitments, and how is the department measuring its performance against those commitments?