Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we report progress. Thank you.

---Carried

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I just wanted to speak about community wellness plans in the riding of Nahendeh today.

I was pleased to see each of the communities I visited on my January tour were telling me about the communities’ wellness plans, and the communities have done a lot of work getting it together, but I think it’s now time for government to do theirs.

They spoke to me about the continuous need for funding resources, most particularly when it comes to travel. The small, remote communities have additional costs of air charters and utilizing the local hotels.

In larger communities...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 9-17(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2013-2014. We will deliberate Environment and Natural Resources as well as Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the mover and seconder of the motion with regard to their dissatisfaction with regulatory reform, Bill C-38 and Bill C-45. They would make some change to our regulatory regime that affects us here in the Northwest Territories.

I just want to advise the public, I know that huge Idle No More movement throughout the Northwest Territories, we’re really proud that people are taking this initiative, being more aware of politics federally and territorially. But, as well, I just want to advise them that these bills have already been passed, so these changes...

Thank you very much. I know I’ve spoken on this issue a few times in this House. I’d just like to ask the Minister, once again, how much work has been done, or else do we have to start again and then start working with the community and the education authorities on the Nahanni Butte school. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’ve often spoken about schools in our small communities and I’d like to ask the Minister of Education, I had raised the issue about the school in Nahanni Butte, this being an older log structure. I’d like to ask the Minister, has he done any work in evaluating and seeing when they’d look at replacing that school in Nahanni Butte. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Love is in the House today.

---Laughter

I’ll continue mine with love for Highway No. 7. The government is sending clear messages that the Northwest Territories is open for development like never before. The mineral development, the Economic Opportunities Strategy, NWT Days in Ottawa and increased funding for tourism all show Canada and the world that the Northwest Territories is the place to invest. Yet, anyone driving north on Highway No. 7 from BC would wonder, do we really mean it.

Highway No. 7 is a gateway to the North. It enters the BC border to Fort Liard and to...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to deliberate Tabled Document 9-17(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2013-2014, with the continuation of ENR.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to invite the Minister over to the community of Nahanni Butte. I think we’re targeting a June date and I’d like to ask the Minister to come over and look at the school himself, and even come and speak to the students at that time as well. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I guess when we’re looking at replacing the school, there’s lots to be considered. One of the things that can and should work is attaching a new school to the new community gymnasium. I think that would go a long ways towards supporting our education system and our youth, if we attached a new school to the gymnasium. Will the Minister consider that or involve that in the planning that’s going to start this fall? Thank you.