Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yeah, I just wanted to do these off the cuff here to make sure that I was satisfied that the Minister was up to speed on this file, and she seems to be. So I guess I would and a good thing is that I hear that we are looking at looking for funding or support from the federal government, I think, for ongoing harbour maintenance, and I just want to make sure that, you know, that we don't let off on that and that the Minister keeps after the feds for that because we've got we've got a fairly big harbour there, and there's a lot more work to do. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'd thank the Minister for that response. And I guess since we lost three or four weeks here, will we be able to accomplish the scope of work that was set out in the RFP, or are we going to have to come back to this next season? Thank you.

When we're talking about incorporation. Will the Minister commit to identifying the financial amount we are talking about and whether it would have to be allocated in one fiscal year, or could it be accomplished over several years? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me if incorporating the HRHSSA into the NTHSSA was to proceed, what would the process be and the timeline to complete such amalgamation? Thank you.

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...

Mr. Speaker, the communities of Hay River, Enterprise, and K'atlodeeche have been through not one, not two, but three evacuations in 15 months. This fact is not lost on me, nor should it be on this government.

Mr. Speaker, we have not recovered from the 2022 flood or, for that matter, from the 2023 spring fire, and now we add to that the most recent fire and the extensive damage it caused in Enterprise and Hay River. Considering the rate of which government moves, in addition to the lack of labour, trades, and contractors, I see flood and fire recovery going beyond the life of the next Assembly...

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.