Jackie Jacobson

Thank you. Will the government commit to pushing the all-season road from Inuvik to Tuk with funding sources such as with the federal government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement was regarding the Mackenzie Valley Highway in between Tuk and Inuvik and right down to Wrigley. Mr. Speaker, due to the pipeline being delayed, I think this is a good go for it to keep our people busy in the region and up and down the Valley. So will the government lobby the federal government to show the serious commitment by elevating options such as the P3 leaseback arrangement, not just internally but to local government leadership, aboriginal groups and corporate leaders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Lastly, this project would generate $140 million to $250 million worth of construction activity in the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk portion alone. It would be a huge shot in our economic environment in the region and in our Territory. Only with the completion of the highway, the federal government and the territorial government must say that Canada is truly linked coast to coast to coast.

I will have questions for the Minister of Transportation and Industry, Tourism and Investment at the appropriate time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government, in regard to the all-season road from Tuk to Inuvik, the federal government must see the potential, not the potential, but the resources there in the community and for a deep sea port for the Western Arctic, I think the Western Arctic, and my point has been left out. Everything that’s driven by the federal government that’s been given out to any sort of funding has been going to the Eastern Arctic. Mr. Speaker, we have to step up to the plate and get something done in regard to this highway. Not only the highway but for the pipeline and to get the...

Thank you. Will the government devote lobbying resources and attention to the mega project of this size that it deserves, and will the government involve MLAs up and down the delta or in the valley, community leaders and corporate leaders to push forward the true form of an inclusive campaign group to head to Ottawa? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am happy to recognize my wife, Jenny, my daughter Chelsey, my daughters Kirstin and Mikayla and my son Matthew. I am really happy to have you here this week. I also would like to congratulate Ms. Miki O’Kane and Mr. Fred Carmichael who used to work up in Tuk when I was just a young guy, probably about 14 years old pumping floats off his float planes all the time and getting free rides from him. I want to congratulate everybody and welcome to the House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is on the Mackenzie Valley Highway. Two years ago we embarked on the very important project of the construction of Access Road 177. This $12 million three-year project involves local contractors and local suppliers and employs 75 to 80 people. The majority of the locals are all Inuvialuit. The project is an excellent start to what will one day become the Mackenzie Valley Highway, but it is only the start.

Recently the Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik road project required $975,000 towards the project description report and preliminary design. Currently...

Mr. Speaker, I see the government continues to spend millions out of province in support resources only for participants to return to their home communities without aftercare. That’s not only not compassionate, it makes no business sense, Mr. Speaker.

The root of all problems comes from these issues: kids not doing well in school, people in an endless cycle of social assistance, and dependencies on drugs and alcohol. The fact the communities lack real support from returning from substance abuse treatment is a shame, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to say hello to my son and welcome my son Matthew and my daughter Kirstin here in the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As mentioned in a previous Member’s statement, during my community visits in Nunakput I speak to the mayors and the community leaders, all identifying the lack of professional and social support as one of the most serious issues in our communities, Mr. Speaker. People are very passionate about these issues and they have lots to say. As a government, we must listen. We must act, Mr. Speaker. So I ask the government to review the current territorial strategy with addictions in the community counselling programs to conduct a comprehensive community-based discussion to develop and to go forward...