Jackie Jacobson

I just want a commitment from this Minister in regard to putting contracts aside and making sure the people are served first. Is the Minister willing to commit to that in the House today?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The sealift is a vital lifeline from the remote coastal communities in my riding, Mr. Speaker. It is the only way families can lower their food bills once a year, by ordering large amounts of food that bring everything into the communities that you could imagine, such as dried goods, building materials and supplies, cars, trucks, heavy equipment, and bulk petroleum; you name it. If someone can order it, then I guarantee you it has been delivered on a sealift to Nunakput.

In 2016, the Northern Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Inuvialuit Corporate Group...

That's my first yes, I think. I ought to thank the Minister for that, and letting the people know that we'll be providing service for the people first. Will the Minister come to Nunakput to meet with my leadership in coastal communities, which MTS provides that service to, and meet with them to see the proper sailing dates and stuff like that, that work that with the communities to ensure that, you know, for housing, if their material lists are coming in, and equipment lists, to make sure that they're providing the service?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today was on MTS, and providing services to our communities on the coast, and making sure that the MTS is a lifeline to our three communities; Sachs, Ulukhaktok, and Paulatuk. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to make sure that the Minister is committing and ensuring the schedule for the planning 2020 sealift is under way. They have a schedule out, but where is this Minister standing in regard to talking with their department on going forward with the 2020 season? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just in regard to that, Madam Premier, is there a way that you know from the hospitals, like in the Beaufort-Delta and for Inuvik, loaning nursing staff to our communities to make sure that people are being seen? When it is being shut down, you have to make appointments in the small communities. Staff is overworked, but the appointment part, people have to be seen. Is there any way that they could help out, I guess, on the HR side? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, in regards to that. Thank you, Madam Premier for that. I really like what I hear. I look forward to working with different health departments on getting some help for the people that we represent because we know everybody back home. Everybody, we know the troubles that everybody is going through. Just because somebody is smiling, it doesn't mean it is okay. Thank you for those answers. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just on the timeline, fall 2022, is there any chance of that moving up to getting our front-line workers help into the small communities? They are overworked now, and they need help. It is not so much training; it is just maybe an extra person to give them a hand. Thank you, Madam Chair.

April 4th.

---Laughter

This government is openly considering a pilot project in Nunakput to make the improvements to help my seniors age in place. If so, I would be happy to work with the appropriate Minister on the proposal as it goes forward. I think that is the Minister of Health.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the mandate we are approving here, enabling our seniors to live at home with dignity. The three Ministers that are given responsibilities, the Minister of ECE, the Housing Corporation, Health and Social Services: are their responsibilities separate as Ministers, or are they going to be working together? Question is for the Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we come and represent our people on the floor of the House, we are passionate about what we are doing here. We want to be here to help. On the point of order, I think that the "working together" part of the House, I mean, we could bring up anything we want on the floor, anything. It is up to the Member who wanted to bring something forward who is passionate about it and wanting to seek clarity. That is all that I think that was. Working together, it is in black and white, Mr. Speaker. I really think that this House, all the Members, have to reflect why we are here...