Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these questions will be for the Minister of Finance/Human Resources.

Mr. Speaker, some of the GNWT departments will require employees to confirm they have been vaccinated prior to showing up for  for work starting today. And others not vaccinated may be accommodated or turned away.

So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister explain to this to this Assembly the timing and process employees will be  will be required to follow to confirm their vaccination status and is privacy, as it relates to private health information, a consideration when sharing that information...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to review the document titled Confirmation of Compliance with the GNWT COVID19 Vaccine Policy for Contractors, and discussed it with a number of contractors.

Mr. Speaker, would the Minister confirm how this information is being relayed to contractors and how or will it be monitored to ensure compliance? It appears to be a document based more on the honour system. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I guess I'm concerned, too, about the bed usage because, you know, if we've got, you know, buildings that are, you know, two inmates in, you know, I'm glad to hear that we don't really have any inmates in them, that's kind of what we're  what we're shooting for, but at the same time, you know you know, there might be better use for those buildings that, you know, we could be training and, you know, helping people in another way.

So in saying that, you know, looking at the decline, looking at the the bed usage and that, has the department been looking or is there any...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I just want to go to I guess the facilities and, you know, looking at what we have in Hay River it's turned into a therapeutic model, and there was a number of renovations that went on over the years. And I don't see anything in here. So I just ask if those renovations are now completed, or are we expecting some additional ones in the near future? Thank you.

Thank you. No further questions.

Thank you, Madam Chair. You know, I see where you're going with this, and like I walk it pretty often. I'll always take the roadway, well wintertime, the shortcut, short way. Summertime, the longer way. But the other thing I guess is if there is a new trail, and maybe I missed it, but will there be lighting on the new trail as well? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, I guess, you know, it is $400,000 and I would ask if there was any consideration, you know, to using signage that says, you know, this isn't no pedestrian, you know, foot traffic allowed on that road and direct them to the new or redone path there that's over to the west. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that many of the artisans are actually bringing in hides from, like, Saskatchewan and Alberta because they don't have access to them here. So, you know, it's important that, you know, that they have access to tanned hides but also they need access to the raw hides as well. And this is where harvesters come in. It's important that we also provide incentive incentive to harvesters if we expect them to bring the hides out after a successful harvest. So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to working with the Minister of ENR to work out a program that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's important, and we need to support and encourage those artisans who hold the traditional knowledge of tanning moose and caribou hides. These traditional tanned hides are a much sought after commodity here in the NWT. And this practice goes handinhand with culture, arts, and tourism. So we need to provide a form of compensation for those tanning their own hides. We know it can take up to three weeks and many hours. And the artisan ends up either using the hide for themselves or selling it sometimes at a deflated price, and they deserve more.

So Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government needs to do more to help the artisans of the NWT in accessing traditional tanned hides.

Mr. Speaker, over the last several years I have met with numerous artisans who have voiced the same concern that concern is the lack of access to traditional tanned hides which they require to make a variety of products. Many of us here are familiar with these products which include earrings, slippers, crow boots, gauntlets, mitts, vests, jackets, gun cases, and more.

Mr. Speaker, when those who purchase Indigenous fashions that require hide and fur, they...