Michael Nadli

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [No translation provided.] Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

What are the steps to getting a sign placed along the highway?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Jonas Landry, a constituent. A friend and relative, Jonas serves on the Northwest Territories Language Board for the Deh Cho, and also he is from Fort Providence. Mahsi.

The Minister has agreed that a big Deh Cho sign in the roadside park is a good idea. I am thinking that it is the government's job to initiate projects like this on the road system. Will the Minister confirm that he will get this job done?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community of Fort Providence is very interested in the increasing amount of tourism that we are seeing in terms of small-community travel. My questions are to the Minister of ITI and Infrastructure: what actions have been taken in the last year toward getting a big sign erected to alert travellers that they are approaching the mighty Deh Cho? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last February, I had an exchange in this Chamber with the Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, as well as Infrastructure. I pointed out that the sign by the highway that identifies the mighty Deh Cho as the Mackenzie River is a very tiny sign. I mentioned that, for visiting tourists, there is no information about the river and its rich history. Even its proper name, Deh Cho, meaning "big river," is neglected. I suggested that there should be a larger sign, a roadside exhibit, and maybe a picnic spot.

The Minister was very supportive of this idea...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have reached out to talk to Members of the Deh Gah Bridge Society and DIGAA Enterprises, and they are willing and very interested in making this a possible reality. When will the Minister instruct the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment to develop a program for this sign project and seek input on the content from local governments? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister did state that dental services, providing services to the community of Fort Providence, is really left up to private clinics. Can the Minister assure the residents of Fort Providence that, clearly and definitely, he will have a role in ensuring that private clinics do provide dental services to Fort Providence as soon as possible? Mahsi.

I think the Minister covered a lot of information. I wanted to talk about the location of the services whenever it arrives in Fort Providence and perhaps at least acknowledging that communication has been problematic. Talking specifics about Fort Providence, residents have asked me why the dental team is using the old dental room at the Snowshoe Inn Centre when there are facilities and a new health centre. Can the Minister explain?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, a wide range of dental services are covered for First Nations and Inuit people. This includes diagnostic services like x-rays, preventative services like cleanings, and restorative services like fillings, as well as more specialized care like root canals, gum treatments, dentures, and orthodontics. Why, then, are good dental services so hard to come by in our small communities?

In Fort Providence, there is no resident dentist or dental hygienist. Local dental services are provided when dental teams contracted by the GNWT...