Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I would like to follow up on some of the questions that I had previously. Can the Minister please advise this House: Does the department authority track issues that are brought forth to them, and how is this process done?

I thank the Minister for his answer. Can the Minister provide the House with the cost to maintain each section of the road, Fort Providence Junction to Redknife and Redknife to Fort Simpson?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Geoff Ray, an individual I have worked with for a number of years over the time. Hopefully, I'll continue to work with him as an MLA. As well, I'd like to recognize Sabrina Broadhead, who was a former colleague of mine and was a mentor when I first started the job. Welcome.

Today, I would like to acknowledge the work of the Northern Youth Abroad and congratulate the organization as it released the names of selected 2016 participants, including 29 participants representing 19 communities from across the NWT. Northern Youth Abroad began in 1998 and served youth living in Nunavut until expanding also to serve youth across NWT in 2005. In fact, it was through the hard work and determination of those involved in education in NWT that Northern Youth Abroad was able to expand to serve our young people, and has continued to do so for the past 11 years. For that, I am...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I asked the Minister of Transportation to make a commitment either that he's going to look at the efficiencies of combining it, or put signage and post on the website as to whom complaints should be addressed. I didn't get an answer. Can I get the Minister to please make a commitment to either looking at the department moving it to Simpson, to placing signage on the road and on the website? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I really didn't get an answer from the Minister, but that's all right. I'll move on to my next question. I find it very interesting that the Department of Transportation would split these two sections of the highway. Can the Minister please provide the rationale on why the North Slave district has a responsibility to maintain a section of the road and not the Fort Simpson District?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during my 23 years of living in Fort Simpson, I've noticed there are some differences in how a section of Highway No. 1 -- not No. 7, No. 1 -- was maintained from Fort Providence Junction to Fort Simpson. As well, I've heard a number of issues raised by my constituents. Can the Minister of Transportation please advise this House how the section of Highway No. 1 from Fort Providence Junction to Fort Simpson is maintained?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks, colleagues. Northern Youth Abroad invests in long-term success of the participants by strong dedication to support program alumni in whatever next steps they choose. One of the most important aspects of it, and what you will see, we have one of their past participants now sitting in the Legislative Assembly in Nunavut, and I would think in the short term we may have one here sitting with us. As well, they have selected for the first time, a former alumnus, Karen Aglukark, to become the first chairperson of that organization, and we have two alumni, as well...

I thank the Minister for the answer, but why can't we put it on the website? Why can we not put it on the website saying here's the information and to whom to address the issues?

I thank the Minister for his answer. I’m a little bit concerned with the answer. My challenge is: How can the North Slave District really manage this section of the highway? I understand the great work the Fort Providence staff do, but management based out of Yellowknife have no real vested interest in this highway if they don't drive down it. Will the Minister commit to looking to have the Fort Providence to Redknife section of the road transferred to the Fort Simpson District for more efficiency, or if that is not possible, can the Minister have his staff post on their website and on signage...