Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The maintenance program that I am referring to is just like going in there in the communities in the summer making sure the lines are connected properly to the poles, making sure they are grounded out in high wind areas, and seeing if we could also get local qualified people in the communities that represent the Power Corporation being able to fix these situations that we know that happen periodically in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the Minister for that reply. I am just wondering if we could set up a backup system for each community on the coast, and in Inuvik as well, or making sure that when the power goes out in the middle of winter when it is 40 below and you have a blizzard, it is usually for three days. We have some sort of system in there that we could... What could you do to make it happen in regard to having a safe system that we could rely on?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October 4th and 5th the community of Ulukhaktok experienced a 27-hour power outage. Here is the assistant SAO Joseph Perry’s report. It’s with great pride that I write you about the recent power outage. The community lost power last Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. and it was restored Wednesday afternoon, affecting over 20 households as well as the airport. Special thanks goes out to the housing foreman and his crew, airport maintainer and his crew, municipal foreman and his crew, recreation director, administration, and all of the other teams that worked together and set the...

Mr. Speaker, for the maintenance program in regards to the low outlying communities, is there one in place for the summer months or for the communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of the Power Corporation. In my Member’s statement today, the community of Ulukhaktok on October 4th and 5th had 20 households with no power, including the airport. Nunakput at this time of the year on the coastline communities, there is fog and freezing rain. I am just wondering if the Minister could speak to the Power Corporation to see if we could send crews into the communities that they represent to clear the ice off of the lines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to welcome all Members and the staff back from our summer break and our Thanksgiving weekend. I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and safe summer as well.

There are many Inuvialuit traditions that are very important in my daily life, Mr. Speaker, and how I serve my constituents.

One of those traditions is that I pay respect to my elders, which is all you guys. I respect you.

---Laughter

And I pay respect to my ancestors, the people that have shaped us into who we are today and who have passed away.

I always start my Member’s statements by paying respect to the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am happy to rise up as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and thank Mr. Whitford for all the commitments he has done for the people of Nunakput and all the youth in the schools, because I was home after session and my daughter came running up to me. Hey dad, where is this guy? She pulled out the pin. It was Tony’s pin. She forgot your name, Tony, but I don’t think she will after I told her a story and pulled a book out. She will ever be in debt to you and she will always remember you -- all the youth in Nunakput -- and you coming and visiting and taking the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the program is not enough. The funding that the people are getting for social assistance is not enough to provide proper clothing for the kids, not enough to buy food for the month -- it’s lasting three weeks. I get calls every third week of every month in my hometown. People need help. We’re not helping, Mr. Speaker, and I’m going to hold them accountable in regard to that. Will the Minister commit to me to come to the communities and walk through the stores once this food implementation program gets kicked off, to see if there’s any change in prices of...

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the Minister. He’s referring to the breakfast program for the schools in the Northwest Territories and I am thankful for that. Mr. Speaker, there are many federal government programs that this government can tap into to provide the communities with affordable healthy foods. I wonder if this government is taking full advantage of these programs. I see, with the federal government changing the Food Mail Program, the subsidy will go directly to the stores in the communities. I wonder if the government had anything to say about the change. Would the prices really go...

I also would like to thank Ms. Alana Mero from Inuvik Search and Rescue and Frank Pokiak that was in the helicopter and also Jack Kruger. Jack has been part of Search and Rescue in the Northwest Territories for years, out of Hay River, and Jack told me that if it wasn’t for Devalin keeping her wits traveling 50 kilometres by snow machine to Mr. Dillon’s camp during the snowstorm putting the search in motion, the outcome could have been tragic. Mr. Speaker, I really want to thank Devalin for her courage and give her a big round of applause. Thank you.