Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 17th Assembly has set a goal to promote healthy living for the people of the Northwest Territories. We’re seeing the costs of health care increasing and we are seeing increases in obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes throughout the northern territories. My colleague from Hay River South indicated Diabetes Month is November. I believe that we need to take steps to implement the goals of healthy living.

I would like to speak to an issue that is close to my heart, or should I say closer to my stomach? For years I was largely overweight. I had high blood pressures...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, November 2, 2012, I will move that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, No. 3, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My next question is along the lines of would this be implanted for the upcoming year starting April 1st of the year 2013-2014 financials.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Health. I didn’t make a Member’s statement because he has already heard my issues. He’s heard about the lack of full-time doctors in Hay River. He’s heard the interest in the nurse practitioners and the need for midwifery. My question is: With the department’s lack of flexibility in funding, has the department come up with any solution for the health authorities to allow flexibility in these types of areas in funding these positions?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering if the flexibility in this funding is the department’s solution for funding midwifery in the authorities, or do they actually have other plans for additional funding.

My next question along those lines, is on their business case. When can we expect this business case to go towards FMB and get some results?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the new Hay River Metis Government Council. My colleague Mrs. Groenewegen and I would like to thank the newly elected council: President Wally Schumann, Vice-President Trevor Beck, treasurer-secretary Jacqueline Carriere, director Heather Lynn Jones-Hubert, director Rhonda Plamondon, director Connie Belanger, director Karen Lafferty, and director Tanner Froehlich.

We look forward to working with this newly elected Hay River Metis Council, and look forward to seeing their many activities and exciting projects they have on the go.

My next question for the Minister is: Has the Minister had any direct discussions with his colleagues, the federal Minister of Transportation in this area of dredging the Hay River?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I’ve indicated in this House before, the waterways in Hay River are very important. It’s important to keep the waterways in Hay River open to industry, to commercial fishing, to the community flood safety.

My questions today will be for the Minister of Transportation. What has the Department of Transportation done over the last year to do any kind of dredging program in the Hay River area?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m wondering if the department has any commitments for the upcoming years to look at putting any more dollars of the territorial government into dredging.