Jackie Jacobson

I'm thinking, with these rapid testing, why did we get them in the first place? My six people can say, "I'm having the flu. I'm not feeling well," so I could get six tests brought over to the hotel and get them tested so they could go home and grieve properly with their family? That's not right. If we are going to provide that service of rapid testing, why can't we use them when they come off the plane? Rapid test them. We are legislators here; we could make changes. I want to know: when is the Minister going to take back control from Dr. Kandola and start doing that job?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I am bringing up rapid testing across the territory. We have been having so many deaths in the communities. We are having some problems getting family members into the community. For instance, I have six members from my riding in hotel rooms in Inuvik right now. They're unable to get hotel assistance. Under the rules, it doesn't state that you have to be from the territory. If you are coming home from a funeral, it's not their fault they are going to school or they have to work elsewhere because there's no work in the communities. It's not their fault, but the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I'd like to bring up the rental assessments for our local housing authorities back in the Delta or across the territory. I'm getting a lot of constituents coming into my office and asking why aren't they able to go and get their rental assessment redone and have it done soon because the high cost of living back home for all your bills, your power, your food, everything that comes up with that. That being said, when they're going in, it's not being done.

Mr. Speaker, I'm asking the Minister today to pass on to make sure all local housing authorities are given...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Public Highways Act, be received by the Assembly to be moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Could the Minister commit to me today that she will talk to the LHOs in the Delta, in my riding, to make sure, when somebody is going in to get an assessment, that they work together with them to get that assessment done? Because the cost of living is a lot more than it is here in Yellowknife, and anything helps, like I always say, for the constituents that we represent. If the Minister could just commit to working with our local LHOs in the Delta for that?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just hearing that debate, you have to remember we work for the people of the Northwest Territories, and we have to respect everybody in the House in regard to working together. Today, Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of housing. We have seasonal workers in the communities who are coming home from work. When are they eligible to get the reassessment done on their rent? How quickly can we get that done? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your hard-working Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment is pleased to provide its Report on Bill 3: An Act to Amend the Public Highways Act and recommends it to the House.

Bill 3, An Act to amend the Public Highways Act, clarifies the duty and liability of the Government of the Northwest Territories with respect to primary highways and an incident occurring on highways the GNWT does not construct, maintain, or control. On March 13, 2020, Bill 3 had its second reading in the house and was referred to Standing Committee on Environment and Economic...

I thank the Minister for that. When the seasonal worker goes in to get a reassessment in the LHOs, local housing authorities, are they able to do that right then and there when they are asked, or do they get told to come back another day? That's the problem we've been having. Is the LHO able to do that assessment that day?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to give my condolences for Jana Blow in her passing in Tuktoyaktuk last week. Speaking to her mom, Barbara Panaktalok, she is survived by Barbara; her brothers, Ellery, Ross, Darcy, and Dale; her sisters, Lennette, Tina, Amanda, and Eva; her two daughters, Dana and Bobby Joe; and her grandchildren, Ricky Lee, Nicky Anne Kikoak, Jared Adam Kupon, Jolena, Selena, Marie Mabel, Jace, Anne, Joe Dale, Josie, Amelia Lena, Haisley, and Joe Matthew. Jana leaves behind nine grandchildren. She is predeceased by her dad, Joe Blow, a well-respected elder, and her...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just in regard to that, teams, again, that's what we need in regard to community health and wellness. That's what we need to be doing, especially small communities, remote communities. My last question is about the escorts. Is there a way to let our community health centres know how an escort is approved? If the doctor approves it, it's approved. Correct? If not, they need clarity on that, and it should be brought into our health centres across the territory in regard to that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.