Michael Nadli

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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am curious as to this staged approach that the Minister has stated and whether that staged approach is more likely the condition or perhaps the approval of the industrial project that is on the brink of coming into reality, which is the Aurora Wood Pellets. How long will it take the Minister to resolve this matter? Mahsi.

I would like to thank the Minister for providing some encouragement. I really hope that something will come out of the discussions, and at least some mutually agreeable dates on a future meeting. What will the Minister do to bring some certainty to residents and businesses that need land in Enterprise?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the government is very proud of its support for the "Big E," the economy, of the Northwest Territories, and yes, diamond mines and new roads are important, but, from the small community perspective, the situation really is "no business, as usual."

Let's take a look at Enterprise. It is a small community right on the highway into the NWT from the south. It has always been a business community, and there is a strong "enterprising" spirit.

On the other hand, our government is fostering economic uncertainty by neglecting the community. Residents are interested in...

When applications are made for land in Enterprise, will the department make sure they are consistent with the hamlet's community plans and bylaws? The Minister stated that the community plan was approved by MACA.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I talked about the process of accessing residential lands and commercial lands in the community of Enterprise, so my question is to the Minister of Lands: what is the holdup in turning over lands to the Hamlet of Enterprise for residential and commercial development? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] My constituents have brought a safety issue to my concern, and I would like to raise it in the House today. It isn't the first time my constituents have raised it with me, nor is it the first time that I have addressed it here. [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, road safety is the problem. Deh Cho residents, particularly in Fort Providence, are worried by an increase in speeding semi trucks on the Deh Cho Bridge and surrounding highway.

When the Deh Cho Bridge opened in 2012, it introduced uninterrupted 24-hour traffic to Highway 3. At this time of the year, when...

Obviously, everybody is concerned about public safety, especially at this time of the year. It is winter. We have lots of traffic, a lot of big semi trucks with their heavy loads travelling as far as Edmonton. How will the department tackle this specific road safety concern and enforcement issues inherent to the winter road commercial trucking season, especially around the Deh Cho Bridge?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I made a statement on my constituents raising their concerns on speeding on the Deh Cho Bridge and, of course, we are all concerned about public safety. My questions are to the Minister of Infrastructure: can the Minister explain the role of departmental motor vehicle officers in enforcement of traffic laws, including speeding laws? Mahsi.