Mr. Speaker, there is much to be said about looking to the past to inform and guide you in determining where to go in the future. I would like to let this Assembly know that staff at Municipal and Community Affairs have begun that process and are working on developing an updated Strategic Plan. Many changes have occurred in recent years and now that the New Deal is firmly part of the way MACA interacts with the communities, the development of a new Strategic Plan to address the changes is opportune at this time.
Workshops for MACA staff are underway and are capturing staff experiences, creative ideas and recommendations. Once a draft departmental strategic plan is prepared, input will be sought from our stakeholders, including the NWT Association of Communities, the Local Government Administrators of the NWT, our sport and recreation partners and others. I will then seek input from the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure to ensure the development of a comprehensive and forward-looking strategic plan that supports community governments well into the future. Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure will also have additional opportunities to comment on the Strategic Plan as it is incorporated into the department’s business plan.
Essential components of the Strategic Plan will be the development of specific activities, targets, timelines, and roles and responsibilities. The Strategic Plan will be supported by the development of internal work plans that will help meet goals and complete actions so that the department can report publicly on an annual basis.
I am confident, that in working with all of our partners and Members of this Assembly, the outcome of this strategic planning process will produce a workable framework that ensures the department’s planned programs and services meet the needs of our clients, stakeholders, and partners.
While MACA is engaged in its strategic planning exercise, the leadership of each community government, with the assistance of MACA, are also developing their own strategic plans that will lay out their foundations for future actions and directions. This bodes well for the future.
MACA assists communities with governance, infrastructure, capacity building and in helping keep their communities safe. MACA also provides programs for youth and in promoting wellness and physical health. Given the wide scope of MACA’s mandate, it is important to plan for the future and ensure that we have a clear framework to guide us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, principals play a vital role in the environment of a school. During the course of a day and definitely over the course of a year, the principal's job varies greatly and is never ending. Principals are the motivators of staff and students. They are the leaders of professional development and the balancers of school budgets. They ensure adequate resources for students. Principals are often called upon to be counsellors for students, parents, staff members, and community members. They try to inspire and instil structure for student achievement. Principals are educational leaders and they work in partnership with other organizations in our communities on matters of importance for students.
Canada’s outstanding principals are chosen though ‘the Learning Partnership’, a national not-for-profit organization, that brings together business, education, government, labour, policymakers and the community to develop partnerships that strengthen public education in Canada.
This year Angela James, from K’alemi Dene School in Ndilo, has been chosen as one of Canada’s outstanding principals. Angela is a very well-respected and experienced principal who is so deserving of this recognition. Being principal of a small northern school has many challenges. As principal, you need to be able to deal with these challenges yourself, and also support your staff and teachers to do the same, and find healthy ways of dealing with stress and anxiety. It is telling that Angela was nominated by her staff for this award. With Angela’s leadership, the K’alemi Dene School has become a model of success amongst small community schools.
Angela’s philosophy is that there are four components of supporting a child in school. First, you must acknowledge and deal with any trauma that exists in a child’s life. You must then find each child’s beauty and gifts. You must also celebrate each child’s culture and language. Finally, once these other needs have been met, you can work with the child to develop their knowledge in the traditional academic subject areas.
One of the benefits that a small school affords is that principals and teachers have the opportunity to know their students, and Angela is committed to every student at her school. She and her staff are familiar with the details of their students’ lives. When children don’t make it to class, they take the time to find out why.
In addition to the inspirational work Angela does in her own school, she has also been an integral part of the Educational Leadership Program. This two-phase program provides professional development to other principals in the Northwest Territories who are required to complete the course over two summers. On top of everything else she does, Angela James is also mentor for her peers.
Angela James joins recent outstanding principals such as Mohammed Odeen, from Deninu School in Fort Resolution, and Velma Illasiak of Moose Kerr School in Aklavik in being recognized for this prestigious award. We are very fortunate to have these three great northern leaders and many other great principals that support our children and families. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to update Members on the Canadian Council of Environment Ministers Meeting held in Whitehorse earlier this week. I attended this conference along with the Member from Weledeh, Mr. Bob Bromley.
A range of issues were discussed at the meeting including municipal wastewater effluent, climate change and strategies to reduce packaging and encourage manufacturers to take greater responsibility for the products they manufacture.
I am pleased to advise this House that after six years in development, the majority of CCME members endorsed national standards for municipal wastewater effluent.
In addition, and despite the range of different views and approaches to deal with climate change, all Environment Ministers supported finding common areas of interest so we can work together on this important issue.
Ministers also endorsed the Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Wastewater Effluent and the framework to manage discharges from wastewater facilities in Canada.
We also received updates on the development of a new comprehensive air quality management system for Canada which focuses on national standards as well plans for a study on water conservation and scarcity in the context of climate change.
Members will also be pleased to hear that there was agreement to start national consultations on action plans to reduce packaging and other waste and to develop a comprehensive standard on packaging.
Another important step was made in that the Ministers agreed on the need to develop a strategic national vision on water and priority setting to further guide jurisdictions in their water management. This is a significant development for the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, while in Whitehorse I was able to meet with my colleagues from the Yukon and Nunavut to discuss issues of common concern.
There was strong support for all three northern territories to work together on a number of pressing environmental issues including climate change, water and wildlife management, particularly caribou and polar bear management.
We also agreed to share information on alternative energy technologies and ways to reduce our dependence of fossil fuels.
Our senior officials will now develop a formal process for us to move forward on these important issues. Mahsi cho.
Thank you. Mr. Speaker, in my four terms in this House and 12 years as a sitting Member, I have never seen the relationship between the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Government of the Northwest Territories at such a low point. Mr. Speaker, after concluding a meeting earlier with the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Premier, Minister of Transportation and other officials, I thought it was going to give them an opportunity to sit down and work out their differences, but, Mr. Speaker, all that came out of it was that the Gwich’in do not have any rights in Inuvik and they don’t have a land claim in the Inuvik region and this government is going to do as it wishes with regard to the Gwich’in and the people I represent.
The Gwich’in are frustrated to the point they are willing to take this government to court to settle their differences because we cannot sit down and mutually find a way to work out our differences.
Mr. Speaker, this government has not listened to not only Members in this House, but also political leaders that represent a large portion of our population with regard to the First Nations government. Mr. Speaker, it’s sad to say the biggest negotiated contract this government has ever had -- a $100 million contract -- has never been scrutinized in the Gwich’in settlement region. There was a little curling project in my riding of less than $1 million that went all the way to the court system, the Construction Association and every other organization in the Northwest Territories was against a sole contractor. Yet, there is a $100 million project that’s in place with contractors from Vancouver to Calgary working in Inuvik, yet local contractors can’t get work on the jobsite for a $100 million project in the Gwich’in settlement region.
They made a decision to build a building in Inuvik, which is half the size of the space that’s already in Inuvik, to the tune of 50,000 square feet and this government is competing directly against the Gwich’in Tribal Council where they had an understanding that they were going to allow the Gwich’in Tribal Council to build this facility and now we find out that they put it out to request for proposals.
Mr. Speaker, everything that the Gwich’in Tribal Council are trying to do by way of the Discovery Air deal, this government is running them out of business. I, for one, am frustrated that this…
Mr. Krutko, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, to top it off, the Discovery Air deal, which the Gwich’in had some $15 million invested in, this company is now being told, sorry, you are no longer in the business. You might as well go contract with someone else because you’re not wanted because this government bailed the company out to the point where they have already had sound financing.
Mr. Speaker, when it’s an aboriginal organization taking this government to court because of fundamental rights that are in their land claim agreements, this government either has to wake up and smell the coffee or try to find a way to sit down and talk out our differences without getting to the point where it frustrates not only myself, the MLA, but the Gwich’in people in the Northwest Territories where this government is totally discriminating against that cultural group because of personalities on that side of the House.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment on the ATCO proposal regarding their participation as a power provider for the Northwest Territories.
I understand that the proposal is currently being reviewed and that we will eventually see the review and have our opportunity for input. My intent today is to offer some perspectives for consideration by Cabinet in both the review and the larger framework of energy planning for the NWT.
First, in recalling the theme day on the NWT Power Corporation, Members were expressing their dissatisfaction with the management and lack of innovation of that entity in effectively addressing the costs and methods of power production. Their call was for a review and tune-up of NWT Power Corporation rather than a transfer of this asset to private enterprise. Nevertheless, ATCO has responded with an unsolicited proposal. By agreeing to review the proposal the government has made a tacit and unvetted decision that we are open to privatizing our power provider; essentially a monopoly situation for the NWT. This decision deserves real debate and input from Members of this House.
Secondly, if we are open to privatizing, the government should actively make a call for proposals that is open and inclusive, not just mention it to a few select groups or corporations. As well, a call should include some guidelines, including indications of criteria for power development. That is, why are we doing this and what are we trying to achieve? What development do we wish? I will be very disappointed if we do not take this step before making any decision about moving in the direction of privatizing our power provider.
As the Premier mentioned in the press, ATCO’s proposal centres around the development of large hydro for export. We know 10,000 megawatts has been mentioned. This needs some context. Unlike Manitoba and Quebec, the NWT has relatively low precipitation and we have low relief. This means that to generate power on a similar scale we must construct large dams and flood huge areas in order to achieve the same large hydro goals. The costs and impacts are thus much greater. For example, the complete flooding of communities like Jean Marie River and the loss of large tracts of traditional lands along the Mackenzie River.
In contrast, a focus on supplying hydroelectric power to meet the needs of the NWT at lower cost can be achieved with a much more reasonable scale of development and lower impacts. The opportunity to greatly...
Mr. Bromley, your time for Member’s statement has expired.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
In contrast, a focus on supplying hydroelectric power to meet the needs of the NWT at lower cost can be achieved with a much more reasonable scale of development and lower impacts. The opportunity to greatly increase output from the Taltson hydro development is one such development. Ultimately, truly sustainable development means each region producing its own power. Let’s get started.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to highlight the important role of the Yellowknife Association of Community Living. This association is a non-profit organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities and their families live meaningful lives in support of communities. The association provides services in a wide variety of areas to people of all ages. Their programs stress important areas of need in Yellowknife and the North.
The Association of Community Living provides a program support to children who may be affected by or diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Their family project works with families from birth on to bring about change so that the relatives with disabilities are welcomed into community life and can participate and contribute to their community in valuable ways.
The association also provides a planned part-time relief service to families supporting people with disabilities. In partnership with Aurora College their Literacy Outreach Program recruits and trains volunteer literacy tutors to provide inclusive literacy instruction and reaches out by targeting specific hard-to-reach groups.
The Association for Community Living offers a Skills Training in Community Inclusion Program and their successful Employability program partners with Yellowknife businesses to create training and job opportunities for people with disabilities. The program promotes disability awareness and encourages diversity in the northern workforce. It also empowers people to live highly productive lives. The Abe Miller summer cafe offers business and work experience to people with intellectual disabilities and has operated successfully for many years. Finally, supportive living services help people who choose to live on their own move towards their full potential as members of society.
All of these programs work towards the goal of allowing people with intellectual disabilities to lead meaningful, self-determined lives to the fullest extent possible. They promote dignity, respect, equality, diversity, human rights, mutual responsibility, inclusion, and moral courage. These are virtues society needs more and more and we can be proud of the resources offered to the Northwest Territories by the Yellowknife Association for Community Living.
I encourage Members of this House and people of the Northwest Territories to join me in applauding the hard work of dedicated staff and volunteers of the Association of Community Living and in supporting their continued efforts.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. During my recent tour of Nahendeh I met with the chief and leadership of Jean Marie River. They are very enthusiastic about becoming more self-sufficient by using their own natural resources. It was interesting to listen to their ideas about using alternative energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The community wants to install a biomass cogeneration unit in Jean Marie River to produce power for the community. This unit could also be designed to use residual wood from the sawmill to produce wood pellets. In turn, the wood pellets could be used as fuel through gasification, thereby virtually producing their own fuel.
Residual heat from this unit could also be used for a wood kiln to dry lumber from their sawmill. In addition, residual heat is also a good alternative to heat homes and other buildings.
I am pleased to see that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is developing a Biomass Strategy. ENR’s budget includes a number of alternative energy programs, including funds for new initiatives in biomass. This project in Jean Marie River is indeed very complementary to this strategy and is a practical fit and will provide a good news story for our government.
Logging has been part of the history of Jean Marie River’s economy since 1915 and a sawmill was built in 1965. The Jean Marie River Development Corporation would like the logs and the sawmill to be part of the project and they see many applications that will support this important aspect of their community. The support and implementation of this community-based initiative for installing a biomass cogeneration unit will provide many benefits for the community and the residents of Jean Marie, the most important of which is to create durable, long-term jobs, economic opportunities, and the potential of lower power rates.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to speak today about the state of consensus government in our Territory. Yesterday we witnessed hundreds of people coming here to demonstrate against Cabinet’s proposed Board Reform Initiative. A few weeks back we again had the gallery full with seniors and others opposed to the proposed changes to supplementary health benefits. These two issues and the way in which this government has conducted themselves speaks volumes about what is wrong with consensus government.
In the ranks of the Regular Members we have got to come to work every day and seek consensus amongst ourselves in order to move on with our issues and bring them to the forefront. We have a very capable, intelligent, and experienced group of Members and I’m proud to be part of the team that we’ve developed amongst the Regular Members. The most beautiful part of this is that we’re all free to express our feelings. Of course, Regular Members do not always agree with each other, but we respect each other and Members are free from intimidation, fear, or reprisal. Consensus is alive and well with Regular Members, as many recent motions and yesterday’s theme day have shown.
The problem is the government’s inability to get over itself. All 19 of us serve in this House in real roles.
Real.
We call ourselves and our system of government consensus. But then why does Cabinet act and behave like a majority government and think like a political party, throwing blind devotion behind the Premier and the Deputy Premier.
I personally don’t think it’s too late to save our system of government. If we don’t take the necessary steps to improve it, party politics will arrive in our Assembly. Many may say it’s already here with Cabinet having no genuine free votes, Cabinet solidarity, and Cabinet Ministers unable to speak their mind. If we had true consensus government, Mr. Speaker, what happened yesterday would have been avoided. We would have better decisions being made, adversarial debate would be minimized, Ministers could represent and speak for their constituents without fear. Yes, decisions may be harder to arrive at, but at the end of the day, those decisions would indeed reflect the true feelings of the people that we represent. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the need to deliver environmental monitoring programs for residents of Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. Mr. Speaker, Lutselk’e is a small, isolated community located on the East Arm of the Great Slave Lake. It is right in the heart of the proposed new national park and sees a lot of resource exploration. Fort Resolution is situated on the south shore of the Great Slave Lake near the mouths of the Slave and Taltson rivers, both of which have been impacted by hydro and tar sands projects and is a close neighbour to the former lead/zinc mine in Pine Point.
Mr. Speaker, both communities are located in prime ecological and wildlife treasures. Local residents have inhabited these areas for hundreds and hundreds of years primarily because of the abundance of fish and game which continue to support a subsistence lifestyle for some to this day. However, Mr. Speaker, times have changed; in activities such as resource development like diamond mining and the Fort McMurray tar sands, are having long-lasting negative effects on plants, marine, wildlife, animals, the water and the air.
Mr. Speaker, with all of these activities and recent changes in the climate, we need to do more and need to know more exactly what it is that is being affected. We need to properly and accurately collect records necessary on environmental and wildlife data on a regular basis so that we can measure and better mitigate and adapt to these impacts.
Mr. Speaker, many residents of Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e have lived there for generations. Not only are they not planning on leaving any time soon, Mr. Speaker, but these residents are very familiar with the land around their prospective communities.
Mr. Speaker, with all this resource development exploration, the Tu Nedhe people want to protect their environment, their water and their wildlife. They would like opportunities to monitor the land, wildlife and the water.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, they are aware that the environment affects climate and it even affects discussions as far as future land claims and so on. Mr. Speaker, there is a complex environmental assessment process. There is a real need to have a good supply of environmental monitors, and what better candidates are there than those who live in Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution. Later today, I will have questions for the Minister of ENR. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
I would like to talk today about an issue that affects a lot of Northerners. It is an issue about trying to be able to afford basic living here in the North. Whether you are a one-income family or two, everyone needs to be able to afford to live somewhere. In many cases, and not all, but many of these people can’t afford to buy and own their own homes so they do what everyone else does in this situation, they rent. Now over the last few years, I have seen rent rates jump 16 percent or more each year here in Yellowknife. I have learned that even in some small communities around our great North, rents have jumped to an impossible rate of 33 percent up. This is just one example I have been informed about.
I don’t have an issue with a landlord that needs to cover their costs and most certainly I think that they should be able to make a reasonable profit, Mr. Speaker, but I dare them, I challenge anyone to explain to me and justify a 33 percent increase. I dare them to look me straight in the eye and do so.
Now in Yellowknife, our most recent rentals officer report says we have a vacancy rate of 1.2 percent for 2007. So what options does that leave the average family, a family on a tight budget, to find another place to live? Largely none, Mr. Speaker. Between the costs of the move, the cost of changing address information, the new damage deposit that must be paid up front, it doesn’t really leave a lot of room for any type of decision.
Now what do you do when you live in a small community where there are no vacancies? What do you do when you live in a small community and you live in the only apartment or rental complex? Now that is a real rock and a hard place. In the end, you have to pay. Some of you start to make choices that average families shouldn’t have to, and then they fight to get by. So what does that mean? Maybe less school clothes for the kids, maybe less meat at the dinner table, perhaps maybe even less food at the kitchen table, but thankfully most of them find ways to get by. Obviously, Mr. Speaker, the ball is in the landlord’s court. The game is being played by their rules only.
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of options before us that could be done to help this average family trying struggling to get by. The options before us are simple. The Residency and Tenancy Act is being reviewed right now. There would be no better time to implement a process to help protect the average family.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. The Residency and Tenancy Act does not come open every time to discuss the elements of what it means. Mr. Speaker, the Minister will tell you that landlords can raise the rent only once a year. Of course, the Minister will be right about that fact. I will tell you that the way the law is written today, the landlord has every right to raise the rent to whatever percentage they want to. Mr. Speaker, don’t be fooled. Some do. Mr. Speaker, let’s not call this rent control. Let’s call it fair protection for working families trying to get by. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Mr. Speaker, today I am speaking on the lack of high school student accommodations. I remember my first days in secondary school a long time ago. It was very scary, new friends, new pressures, and new environment. For most students from small isolated communities, it is a new place to live, due to the fact that most small communities do not have a high school. Many students leave their strong family support network and go to a larger community such as Inuvik. Unfortunately, what seems to be a growing trend in many regional centres is students are finding it harder and harder to find suitable student accommodations. That is just a shame of this government. These inadequacies are a perfect example of differences between the communities and the lack of government initiatives and an effort to resolve them. We have all heard time and time again one of the pillars of this government is equal accessibility of a high level of education for all northern students. I try not to use the American cliché, leave no child behind policy. So if this is the case, then why is this government not living up to the commitments for both parents and students?
The recent closure of these homes for the students, many regional centres across the Northwest Territories, has emphasized these problems. Students embarking on a new adventure in school, a new place, should not have to worry about having a safe, reliable roof over their heads. The necessities of life must be given to them, must be supported 110 percent by this government. Anything else would only be the shame of this series of derelictions of responsibilities. Many of us who have lived in the North for a long time have all heard the challenges. Problems and statistics related to students in small isolated communities and hearing situations makes me wonder if these are some of the causes and if this government is truly serious about our children’s education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to speak to the debate held yesterday in regard to the board reform motion. Firstly, I want to thank all of those who came to the Assembly yesterday: the trustees, the employees, the parents and the grandparents, the students, the preschoolers and the babies. They all took the time to show us in person where they stand and how they feel about the proposed Board Reform Initiative.
One of my colleagues called yesterday’s debate and the resulting vote democracy in action, and I agree. It was the most fundamental display of democracy that we can have. The debate was enlightening and I was pleased that both the remarks and the Member’s actions remained respectful throughout. I have to commend Minister Miltenberger for surviving oral questions. It’s got to be tough to be on the hot seat for an hour with a packed gallery hanging on every word and still maintain composure.
As with the supplementary health benefits proposed changes, I sense a willingness on the part of Members on both sides of the House to find some efficiencies, effect some change in our current board structures and keep most people happy; we’re not all going to be happy. I appreciated the remarks to the motion made by the Premier which explained his and Cabinet’s position and I take Mr. Roland at his word when he said, “I would say that we would agree there needs to be a different process to this.” I take Mr. Roland at his word when he said, “We’ve heard from Members of this Assembly. We’ve heard from the people of the Northwest Territories and would say that the motion as it’s worded we would be supportive. I look forward to sitting down with Members to try and come up with a better approach as to how we can make it work for the people we represent in the spirit of consensus government.” Thank you to the Premier for acknowledging to MLAs and to the public that the motion has value, that the process needs changing and that both Cabinet and Regular Members should work on this difficult issue. Together we can find a solution that is workable for the residents of our Territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the opportunity, along with a constituent of mine, to visit the Stanton Hospital as one of our elderly people was brought in from the region to receive medical care at this hospital. This elderly lady is in her 90s and I’ve watched these dedicated staff up there, the nurses, take care of her. As she was lying there -- me and my constituent were talking -- I had a vision there in the hospital, Mr. Speaker, in terms of wouldn’t it be nice if we had this type of facility in the Sahtu where we could bring our elderly people into the Sahtu region rather than fly all the way to Inuvik or to Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the nurses in the hospital that they do take very good care of our elderly people while they are in these facilities. However, because of the way things are, you have a dedicated group of nurses that are dedicated to the care of our people here. I thought, well, wouldn’t it be nice to have this type of facility in the Sahtu where you have a group of dedicated professionals to look after our elderly people in the Sahtu region. I know there is a time when we’re going to have further discussions on this. Actually, I phoned the chair of our Sahtu health board and I asked him, is this regional wellness centre or a hospital or whatever you call it, is it still a priority of the regional board members. He said, yes, it’s still a priority.
I’m asking the Minister here if she could take some time to discuss with her staff and have a dedicated person to sit down with the regional health board members and look at options as to how we could fund a regional wellness centre. Certainly they have done it with the Dementia Centre, they have done it with the primary consolidated health clinics in Yellowknife, and they have looked at other avenues in terms of how they can get support from the other hospitals. We are asking for that in the Sahtu region. There are over 250 elders in the Sahtu region and sooner or later a lot of them are going to be needing care like this lady in the hospital. Again, I’m pleading to the department and this government to see if they could put in a regional wellness hospital centre in the Sahtu region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.
