Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The questions will be for the Minister of health. Over the last few days the community of Hay River has been swirling with rumours that the NWT border is going to be thrown wide open as of Friday and that anyone will be able to enter the NWT. It's going to be a free-for-all. Can the Minister of Health and Social Services please outline what is going on with the border at this time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. One other issue that comes up with that is the location of the plant. Can the Minister tell me what the location is, and if there are any alternate locations? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to discuss the issue of racism, as the death of George Floyd has placed it front and centre in the news. When I look at what is happening, not just around the world but in Canada and the Northwest Territories, I am deeply disturbed at what people of colour are being subjected to. It is easy to think of this as an American problem, that Canada is somehow better or that we don't have this problem in the North. The truth is that, if you were to ask any person of colour in the territory, or even this room, whether they have been subjected to racism, the answer...

Thank you, Madam Chair. What, if any, involvement does FFMC have in the design? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. No more questions.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Geez. I thought I ran out of time there. I just wanted to talk about the sterilizer room. Is that for the new facility or is that to do with the old H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Can the Minister tell me if the geotech has been done in the area where this new building is going to go? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. When you say contracts are in place, have the contracts been let for those already, then? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is good to hear. It does, however, bring up another question. In the past, I have raised concerns over the number of staff that we have to enforce the rules that we have in place. I would expect that we will need more boots on the ground to ensure that everyone who enters the NWT adheres to their approved self-isolation plan with these new rules. Can the Minister assure this House and my constituents that we have enough staff at the border working at Protect NWT to do the job properly and keep residents of the NWT as safe as possible from the threat of COVID-19? If...

Can the Minister confirm who will be allowed into the Northwest Territories under the new border rules? Can anyone just come in to the NWT now? Is it going to be a free-for-all, or do we have different people identified?