Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given my Member’s statement today, given all across the Territory community government organizations are saying the same thing, that communities’ number one problem is not enough counselling support, will this government commit to a long-term, small, fully functional, around-the-clock, fully equipped addictions centre? We have the nurses but, Mr. Speaker, we don’t have the counsellors in every community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is on substance abuse programs. Communities all across the Territories are continuously struggling with severe substance abuse problems. I’m sad to say that we’re leading in Canada in many of these areas as this problem progresses. Even more sad to say is that communities are coping with these challenges alone and there is very little support from this government.

I have spoken with the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk. He appreciates a contribution commitment for the years to run their centre. We hope we can start helping the people in similar ways as...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is in regards to the JRP report. When I was the past mayor of Tuktoyaktuk, I was in full support of the pipeline on a go-forward basis. I am still a big proponent of the push that I would like to see this project go.

Mr. Chairman, people in the Beaufort-Delta right now need jobs. People are not working. There is nothing going on. You have almost highlight companies that are almost going under right now due to lack of work and the lack of the federal government. I wish they would put more to the all-weather road between Tuk and Inuvik to keep businesses both in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to go back to item 5 on the orders of the day. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

The key word in that reply was “most,” Mr. Speaker. Will the government adapt a duel system that will provide an equal number of days for post-program assistance in their home communities once the person, for example, a participant spends 30 days in an addiction program, will the government give a minimum of 30 days’ professional support in their home communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline, I just want to make sure that our government is taking the proper steps in pushing forward this project so the people of the Territories... This is probably going to be the biggest project ever for us in Canada. Everybody wants to do it right. We have to find some stimulus to get people working up in the delta. Just want to make sure there are timelines and we have to stick to them.

The Minister said keeping on the timelines. Last year they took almost five years for this. I really hope that the federal government and our government don’t take that long regarding hearing back from the NEB. Will we be working with the federal Minister and our Minister regarding keeping the timelines and keeping them on track on the date that is set already, and when is that date?

Now it is time this government works with the federal government and the ministerial offices of Tony Clement, Minister of Industry; and Chuck Strahl, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs; and the Minister of Canadian Northern and Economic Development Agencies, to ensure getting the prioritization it deserves. This government must devote resources and attention to this megaproject that it deserves. Without this commitment we don’t look very serious. I’ll have more questions for the Minister at the appropriate time regarding the pipeline.

This report took five years from the JRP to get handed in. We have businesses in the delta that you know of in Inuvik and Tuk and Aklavik that are relying on this project. Not only this project, the people are having... There’s no work up there, no economic benefits and nothing going on right now other than building, if you’re a carpenter. No roadwork or anything. At the end of the day, this government has to take a step.

I thought we were too lax on not pushing this thing forward as hard as we should have. The Minister is doing a good job on working with the federal Minister, but I think the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement was regarding the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline and the government’s stance on going forward. I just want to ask the Minister if the government is devoting the resource and attention to this megaproject and if the government will involve the MLAs up and down the delta, up and down the valley, community leaders, to push forward from an all-inclusive campaign group to work with this project.