George Nerysoo

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize all the translators who are doing a very good job during our sittings, especially to our Gwich'in translators, Eleanor Firth and her sister -- jeez, I even forgot her name. Her sister, they both do an exceptional job there. They're young ladies that carry on the language. Her name is Karen, sorry. Welcome. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ongoing concern of Quality Inn and patients having to be housed in this facility, it's been addressed by myself, my colleagues, the residents of the Northwest Territories, and the media. What is the Minister and her department doing to address this very important ongoing concern? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've been addressing this concern for quite some time, and it seems the Minister or department does not have the concrete answer. Maybe the answer's somewhere else; maybe it's in the communities or its residents. Will the Minister commit to follow suit with our neighboring territory Nunavut and take her department and hear the concerns of the communities and its residents of the Northwest Territories. Maybe the answer's out there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Webster's dictionary defines quality as the totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bears its ability to satisfy stated and implied needs. Patients who travel to Yellowknife are, indeed, not receiving quality service in terms of accommodations. Residents of my riding are stating that they are being treated like second or third-class citizens by their very own government.

When I last brought up this very concern in the fall of 2024, the Minister stated the current contract would be up and the new contract details will address this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll leave my third question out, and I'll go back to my second question I asked. The question is the Minister willing to take her department out to the communities and get feedback from the communities and its residents? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd just like to thank the Minister for that detailed answer. It's encouraging to have these kinds of programs, especially when we have our younger generations populations picking up these habits, especially smoking within the small communities is so prevalent. You see these younger generations picking up these habits so thankful that, you know, these types of programs are available, should be more available, readily available within the school systems where we can attract and make the younger population more aware. Just more of a comment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister conduct public consultation to the employees and affected communities on what the plans are for the learning centres within each respective community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To date, since the announcement of closures of the community learning centres, what has the department done in making recommendations as to what is going to happen in the near future with the community learning centres? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On page 8, about substance use and addictions program for a modest $69,000. With the high problems that we're encountering with social problems, especially alcohol and drugs, can you elaborate on what these addictions programs are entailed with this $69,000? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister give me and this House the number of employees who are directly impacted by the closure of the community learning centres? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.