Herbert Nakimayak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Transportation regarding the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, specifically about the progress the department has made to fulfill the social and environment commitments made before construction began. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister mentioned that the department is working to modernize the medical travel program. Could he please tell us more about the project, and what progress has been made?

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the Pages who are here working at the Ledge this week. Welcome all of you. Welcome to Mitchell Inuktalik who is a grade 8 student in Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok. Also, welcome to Kolton Inuktalik who is a grade 9 student from Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok. Also to their chaperone, Gary Okheena, who may be in the gallery. I do not see him on the other side. Gary has spent time volunteering and was recently at the Northern Dene Games Summit in Inuvik two weekends ago. Thanks, Gary, for volunteering your time towards youth and...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.

Medical travel escorts is something I hear a lot of concern about from my constituents, especially for elders. Could the Minister explain how decisions are made about escorts and how the process is being improved? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Quanani, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Medical travel is an important part of health care in the NWT, especially in Nunakput where all communities are fly-in communities, so accessing services outside the community requires air travel. This is a necessary but significant expense. Could the Minister tell us what the cost of medical travel is for the NWT, and if you're going to look at ways to reduce that cost? Quanani, Mr. Speaker.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my last point: Midwifery education is important as mothers-to-be are being brought to Inuvik during the most vulnerable time before giving birth, while this should be the very strongest part, as women need support from their families during their last month of pregnancy. This concludes my statement. Quyanainni.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'm going to talk about the healthcare system in Nunakput. The Nunakput region is served by the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority based in Inuvik. Pharmaceutical products are flown into the community health centres from the hospital pharmacy in Inuvik. Medical travel allows people in the Beaufort-Delta to access the same quality and standard of care enjoyed by most Canadians. The services in the communities: each community has a health centre, two nurses, except for Tuktoyaktuk which has a staff of five nurses who typically work a...

That last comment is leading to my next question. In my region harvesting seals is important both feed and a source of cash income. What is Industry, Tourism and Investment doing to maximize returns to harvesters?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier on in my statement the questions for Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. My first question is to the Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment. can you please outline the types of support that are available to trappers under the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.