Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'll just be brief here. I just want to make a couple comments, is that, you know, when I look at this part of the you know, the capital budget, it's a big chunk, and it's really meaningful to contractors in the Northwest Territories. They're relying on this portion of the budget to continue operating through this transition period of government and going forward as well. So I just want to make sure that you know, that government is aware of that and that this is needed. And the other thing as well is that, you know, we got to make sure that, you know, the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we wrap up four years in office, many of us, including our constituents, find we are fighting the same battles which include that of health care recruitment and retention, lack of housing, homelessness, addictions, cost of living, access to labour and trades people, decrease in economic activity, affirmative action, and several other important issues. For now, I want to zero in on health care and ask why it is that we continue to have trouble recruiting and retaining doctors and health care professionals in our communities?

Mr. Speaker, I will use Hay...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, like, I guess, just to use, say, Alexander Falls campsite and Louise, there was some extensive damage. Not to the structures themselves, but to the area around it, which I suspect was going to compromise the use of it possibly this summer. And so that's kind of concern to me because tourism is going to be very important in the South Slave. You know, with the low water levels, shipping problems, and all that, we're seeing a decrease, I guess, in opportunities there. So, you know, we're going to be losing stalls and that. So I'm just wondering if and this, I guess...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, I guess I'm just I'm just pleased to see that, you know, that we're moving along with it and that, you know, we're hoping the completion date is still going to be good. We need those beds as, you know, as Hay River has an aging population. And I just want to make sure I got a bed when it's built. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Can we I guess I'd like to know there what work, I guess, has been completed to date on the project and is the as well as the estimated completion date, is that still a good date that is it still relevant? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to talk about the longterm care facility for Hay River. It's something that's needed, and I'm glad to see it's in still in the capital budget. I guess my first question is has there been a need to update the cost and scope of work for that project? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd ask the Minister, considering that we've had much lower water levels in the Hay River I guess and in the lake as well to the point that where we had people actually, you know, from the K'atlodeeche, ride bicycles across. That's how bad it was. So with these lower water levels, are we going to be looking at an extended area that's going to be requiring dredging beyond what we're doing? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we're talking about, we're talking about Paradise, it's actually a flood plain and, you know, the damage there was significant and there's potential for it to happen again. So, Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister if he is prepared to offer the property acquisition option to residents in areas where rebuilding is not feasible due to the severity of flooding and fire potential, such as Paradise Valley, and if not, is he willing to step aside as the Minister responsible for MACA and allow someone who will? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the federal government's Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements allows for innovative recovery solutions under section 3.4.1, a tool provided to help those impacted by disasters. What are the barriers stopping the Minister's department from using this tool? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally, I got permission to recognize somebody. I'd like to welcome my wife Bette, my daughter Chelsea, and my granddaughter, Inaaya; that's the one I've taking to her first day of school since kindergarten. And I'll continue that on into university. Thank you.