Kevin A. Menicoche

I think the Minister agrees with me that the best teaching space would be a new school. That’s what the community wants; that’s what I want. I’ve got support from the Members of the Assembly on this side of the House. I’d like to know what stage is his department looking at it in this business planning cycle of 2011 for 2012-2013. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to advise the House of the passing of a charismatic, true man of the North: Mr. Edwin Lindburgh of Fort Simpson. He was 81 years of age on May 3, 2011. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Lindburgh’s wife, Sue, his daughter, Carol, and all his family and many friends. He will be greatly missed by the people of Fort Simpson, Nahendeh, and people from all over the world who met Edwin Lindburgh over the years.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to congratulate the 2011 Nahendeh graduates of Aurora College who travel to Fort Smith and Yellowknife. The people of Nahendeh and the Northwest Territories appreciate the valuable skills you will bring back to your communities and the contributions you will make to the workforce.

Graduation is a significant milestone. I want to recognize your hard work and dedication in achieving your goals. Your commitment shows leadership and sets a good example to students who will follow in your footsteps.

I also want to recognize the graduates’ families who...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize my constituency assistant, Ms. Leona Pearl Norwegian, who worked with me in Yellowknife all this week. Mahsi cho.

Also, her birthday is Saturday, so please join me in wishing her a special public happy birthday.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. There was also Chief Lennie, as I indicated in my Member’s statement, who was impacted. His health was impacted. He has serious concerns. He would like to know when will the Department of Health and Social Services take a role in this incident, advise the community of the health concerns of potential H2S and the effects of just the odours, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to get some certainty that even the Department of Health and Social Services can contact the community. Mahsi.

I spoke with Chief Tim Lennie last night and he said that none of our regulatory bodies or even federal regulatory bodies contacted his community to offer assistance, to advise him about the nature of the incident or anything like that. In fact, the only person that reached out was, of course, the people that spilled the oil, which is Enbridge Pipeline. I’d like to know what our government’s role is in contacting the community, offering assistance, advising them where they can go for health concerns, environmental concerns and safety concerns, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. If I can get the Assembly’s attention one more time on a report.

Your committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the Office of the Northwest Territories Languages Commissioner Annual Report 2009-2010 and commends it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations (SCOGO) met on March 3, 2011, to review “The Office of the Northwest Territories Languages Commissioner Annual Report 2009-2010.” The committee would like to thank the Languages Commissioner, Ms. Sarah Jerome, for presenting her report.

The Office...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The committee recognizes that the Department of Health and Social Services staff have faced tremendous challenges during the first years of the 16th Assembly. It is no small feat to overhaul the health system, incorporate new technology, and directly oversee three of the eight health authorities while supporting quality, day-to-day care under considerable fiscal pressure. Committee members heartily congratulate Department of Health and Social Services’ and the authorities’ staff for these achievements.

However, the Auditor General’s review confirms there is still much...

Members expressed varied levels of satisfaction that the department is working to implement the Auditor General’s recommendations. Further work is needed to finalize a policy for alternatively financed projects, address inspection and maintenance requirements for the bridge, and ensure it is certified as an integrated unit by an appropriate authority. The committee is keenly aware that risks remain in the areas of the project’s schedule, scope and cost, and expects to be kept fully apprised of the progress made toward the project’s completion.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The words “oil spill,” which we’ve heard far too often lately, strike fear into the hearts of residents, and for good reason. An oil spill always provokes concern for our water, our animals, and the safety of the public.

Just this Monday, Enbridge Pipelines confirmed the spill of approximately four barrels of oil near Willowlake River north of Fort Simpson. The leak was reported by Chief Timothy Lennie of Wrigley, who had discovered it. Unfortunately, Chief Lennie’s exposure to the oil has affected his health. He has reported that his eyes are burning and that his throat is...