Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few questions for the Minister of Infrastructure, in regards to the Willow River Bridge near Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, a lot of work has been done over the last number of years. I'd actually like to thank the department for the contributions they have given us over the years. Mr. Speaker, it's not as simple as just buying a bridge and putting it in place, even though it sounds that easy. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of planning and engineering that has been completed to date, permits are in place, and we're now at the final stages for installing the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this week in the NWT is Family Violence Awareness Week. This means we should be focused on creating awareness in each of our communities. Our attention should be towards putting an end towards family violence.

Mr. Speaker, we need to recognize that our communities are working endless hours to create awareness on family violence, and it is everyone's responsibility to support our organizations who are promoting activities to end this violence.

I know I don't stand alone, Mr. Speaker, when I say we are supporting programs to raise awareness about family...

Mr. Speaker, like I mentioned in my opening comments, the engineering and planning has been completed and the permits are in place, so will the Minister commit to completing the Willow River Bridge by the end of the winter?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize one of my constituents in the gallery and one of the youngest chairs in the Aklavik community corporation, Jordan McLeod, also, Jimmy Kalinek and Jozeph Carnigarsky. I would also like to thank you all for all the leadership that you do in the communities. It is much appreciated. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To your statement, I know you mentioned some high water in July, and I have seen it first-hand myself. I noticed a couple of buoys that were in places that they shouldn't be near Tsiigehtchic. How long did it take the department or the Coast Guard to realign those buoys along the Mackenzie River after they were moved out of place by the extremely high waters in the first part of July? Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, one thing that I didn't mention in my statement is travel time is taken out of the actual hours that a person is in the community. You're looking at anywhere from four to five hours per day once a month that that person is in the community. Now that I have brought these issues to the Minister's attention, what actions will the Minister take to improve local, face-to-face income security program services in Tsiigehtchic?

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as follow-up to my Member's statement, I have a few questions for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, right now, what is the department doing to make sure that all Tsiigehtchic clients of income security programs can have face-to-face access to staff when they need to? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Thompson.