Debates of May 28, 2004 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During oral question period yesterday I made a request of the Minister of RWED to consider reallocating the $15,000 towards the community freezer of Paulatuk for the 2004-05 season. Once again, I may sound like a running record, Mr. Speaker. With the warm weather fast approaching and the concern the residents of Paulatuk have for the storage of their subsistence food and because of my persistence to continue this important issue for the residents of Paulatuk, my question is for the Honourable Brendan Bell, Minister of RWED. Will he consult with his department and Cabinet to provide the appropriate funds for the O and M for the Paulatuk community freezer for the spring and summer of 2004-05? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 171-15(3): Community Freezer Needs In Paulatuk

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I assure the Member that I don't consider his questioning a running record. I understand that this is very important to his community. He has made that point abundantly clear to me and to the public, I believe. I also understand the urgency and understand the cultural implications here and the willingness to not be seen to be wasting any meat in the community. I appreciate that and respect that. Last night, after the discussion in the House, I asked the department to sit down and come up with a proposed solution to this. What we're prepared to do, Mr. Speaker, is to fund the operation of this freezer for the upcoming season. We don't want to see any delay, we don't want to see any meat wasted. This would be the last season though, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to get the Member's acceptance that if we fund the operation of this freezer for this season, that we also agree that in following seasons we'll move to having people have chest freezers in their homes. If the Member is amendable to that solution, I think we need to get moving quickly so that those freezers can make the barge this season and that there be no interruption of service delivery. So I'm hopeful that that will be an acceptable solution to the Member, and maybe he can indicate if that's the case. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 171-15(3): Community Freezer Needs In Paulatuk

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much to the Minister for providing funds for 2004-2005. However, I will consult with my constituents in Paulatuk with regard to upcoming years. I will do that once I get back to Paulatuk during our tour. I would just like to say again thank you to the Minister for providing funds for the 2004-2005 season. Again, we will work with the community. Thank you.