Kevin A. Menicoche

The Minister references two communities. Actually, the second community that did receive a reduction in O and M is in my riding as well. That’s the community of Wrigley. Those are the only two out of 33. That leaves me to question why only those two communities. Why did everyone else get an increase in funding? Once again, I don’t understand the rationale. Other communities experience population declines as well.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Marilyn Hardisty, who has her roots in Jean Marie River in my constituency. Thank you very much. Welcome.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister if he can come with me to Nahanni Butte to look at the project and, hopefully, if he does find an appropriate date, that the floor is complete. Thank you very much.

Will the contractor do the same type of material replacement or is there an alternate solution to have a floor that adheres to the cement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 8 on the Order Paper.

---Unanimous consent granted.

Perhaps if the Minister could explain where that net increase is, because I only see a reduction in the figures there.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of MACA a question on O and M funding for communities. I met with Mayor Sean Whelly of Fort Simpson and Deputy Mayor Tom Wilson earlier this week. They have advised me that O and M funding for the 2010 fiscal year has been reduced. They showed me a chart that they are actually one of two communities that will be reduced. I’d like to ask the Minister why there is a reduction. What is the rationale for the reductions of O and M for the community of Fort Simpson?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of dentistry services in Nahendeh.

Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 150 signatures of Nahendeh residents and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that the Department of Health and Social Services take the steps necessary to establish a full-time dentist position in the community of Fort Simpson. Thank you very much.

I think, if anything, the cost of the medical travel... I don’t know if there can be some research done. Perhaps the Minister can work with the office of the federal Minister with regard to health and social services and NIHB. Will the cost of the medical travel balance off with establishing a full-time dentist in the community of Fort Simpson?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to follow up on the demands of my constituents in Nahendeh and my Member’s statement with regard to the residents coming up with a petition and public showing of the need by the constituents of Nahendeh to establish a dentist office or a dentist in the community of Fort Simpson to serve the region. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services how my constituents and myself can work towards establishing such an office in Fort Simpson.