Kevin A. Menicoche

Absolutely, you will get lots of support. As well, the Member for Mackenzie Delta did mention that we'll be moving a motion in this sitting of the House to help direct the government in that direction. Once again, it is hurting our communities; it’s hurting our businesses. In fact, in one of my smaller communities, Wrigley, a store shut down in the fall because they couldn't sustain the O&M from power rates. That’s something that needs immediate attention. Once again, I ask the government to have a serious review and look at this important issue. Mahsi.

I want to lend support to the Member for Mackenzie Delta with respect to the one-rate zone. That's a topic that's near and dear to myself and all the people in Nahendeh. We've been struggling a lot in the last couple of years, particularly the residents and the businesses. I don't know if the government is going to include this in part of their evaluation of cost savings and assisting us with the cost of living.

I want to know, perhaps from the Minister of PUB, where they're at with evaluating the one-rate zone, or levelized rate zones, for the Northern residents.

Mahsi. [English translation not provided.]

According to the information I have obtained from the Department of Health and Social Services, as of December 2007 there are 46,000 N.W.T. health care cards in circulation. This is interesting, in that N.W.T. Bureau of Statistics estimates that we only have 42,000 residents. That means 4,000 people who do not live in the N.W.T. may carry this valid form of government ID as well as the right to access our N.W.T. medical services at our expense.

We have all heard stories of how an N.W.T. health care card is a valuable resource in securing employment with...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, in many of our regions, it takes a long time to fight for the positions that we do have for those, and in some of the regions that’s the only form of economic development, a $140,000 job there, Mr. Speaker. So I’d like to press with the Minister that. I’d like see this position returned to Fort Simpson and I’d like the Minister to start working on that and give me some assurance that he will look at it, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask my question to the Minister of Transportation. Recently the operations in the marine operations, they hired a marine supervisor, but they had relocated that position from Fort Simpson to Hay River. So I’d just like to ask the Minister what is the timeline of getting this position moved back to Fort Simpson? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. No, it’s just that our government has a policy for keeping positions in the regions and the communities, and here’s a classic case where a position was moved and I thought there were indications that it was a temporary move, that until they find accommodations in Fort Simpson. So I’d just like the Minister to follow up on when will that position be relocated back to Fort Simpson.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to speak about a science fair that was held at our Bompass Elementary School in Fort Simpson. They had their science fair held on November 21st, 2007. They invited all parents in the community to view their display of knowledge and, I would venture to say, Mr. Speaker, to show us why it’s hard to be smarter than a fifth grader.

---Laughter

I regret not being there and I was invited to judge, as I have had in the past, and this is an event that happens all across our great land. I have read, with great interest, the reports in the Deh Cho Drum and...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I was asking the Minister that we do have existing roads that do need improvement and I’d like to ask the Minister, are we developing a territorial strategy? I just want to point out as well there, Mr. Speaker, if you allow me, that the Minister is talking about new highways and building new roads, but that’s the mandate of the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just would like to follow up to questions on my Member’s statement to the Minister of Transportation, just with respect to, and also support, the Member from Mackenzie Delta’s idea of pursuing a territorial highway strategy which includes chipsealing of all our highways. I just would like to ask the Minister what exists in our current strategy. Does it include a movement towards chipsealing of all our territorial highways? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking on transportation as well here today. I would like to talk about the beauty of the Deh Cho and the great opportunity that we have with the Deh Cho Tribal Connection. I am talking about the Deh Cho trail and portions of Highways No. 1 and 7 that make a perfectly round trip on the lower NWT for tourists coming from Alberta passing through Hay River, through several smaller Deh Cho communities providing a connection to Fort Simpson before winding down beside the Liard River and Fort Liard to British Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, this portion of our public...