Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister to provide me with a brief project update before I return back to my constituency so I can provide it to the community so they can expect the work timelines?

Certainly Trout Lake has been looking forward to the completion of this project and to have it delayed by another year…. What date was the anticipated completion date for the project?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to speak about a project that is very important to the residents of Nahendeh, which is a replacement of the Fort Simpson Health Centre.

This item has been bumped from the capital item for another year. I just want to make note of that. I understand that it is tentatively on the books for planning in 2013-2014 with construction beginning in 2014-2015. I want to make sure to keep to that schedule.

There has been a patchwork of renovations and retrofits that have kept it running over the years but these are band-aid solutions, and expensive ones at...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that, on Friday, February 17, 2012, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that this Legislative Assembly opposes any reductions to Canada’s Old Age Security benefits;

And further, that this Legislative Assembly recommends the Premier of the Northwest Territories champion this issue to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to ensure that Old Age Security benefits are not reduced for current or future NWT seniors;

And furthermore...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I will be voting against this motion and I hope government has heard. Well, I can only speak for myself that I continue to be cautious and concerned as we proceed forward with the, people keep saying the project, and the government keeps assuring us that we’re taking baby steps, and that’s just what I’d like to see.

I do want to see the project description. I do want to see the total cost estimate. I’m concerned that the federal government maybe will maintain that their only contribution will be the $150 million. However, we have to show them the amount of work...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 3-17(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2011-2012, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 3-17(2) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Can the Minister provide a list of all of the lakes in Nahendeh that have had public advisories regarding the consumption of fish over the past five years?

Can the Minister provide details of how and when these lakes were tested?

Can the Minister advise whether the GNWT or federal government has any concrete plans to conduct future sampling or detailed studies of these Nahendeh lakes?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services about the public advisory on Ekali Lake and other lakes in the Nahendeh riding. I’d like to know the communication plans that the department has to advise the public about eating fish from these lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 2-17(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2011-2012, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 2-17(2) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just some general comments about how our government miraculously finds money for the Inuvik-Tuk highway and Betty House and the millions of dollars. I’ve been here seeking some certainty and funding for Highway No. 7 time and time and time again, yet the capital budget shows nothing for Highway No. 7. I don’t know how else to make the case that we have to spend money there. I am concerned that our priority of the Inuvik-Tuk highway will cost a reduction of any future capital dollars for Highway No. 7. I’m not too sure how we’re going to manage it and I just...