Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two Pages from Tsiigehtchic. We have Jessica Andre and my daughter Davina here with us this week.

Earlier this summer the ferry in Tsiigehtchic started waiting on each side for 10 minutes, and the explanation that was given to my constituents was that the department was trying to save on fuel.

Will the Minister direct his department to ensure the Louis Cardinal Ferry is not waiting on each landing for 10 minutes to save on fuel?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement, I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation a few questions. The one thing I forgot to mention was not only do we have issues with the hours of operation in Tsiigehtchic but also the waiting time. Many constituents have to wait 10 minutes on each side, not to mention the actual other 10 to 15 minutes.

With that, my first question for the Minister is: When will the department develop and construct a permanent landing that can be used on both the Peel River and the Mackenzie River crossings?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Even though I did support the last motion, I will have to abstain on this motion. The reason being is the reason I supported the last motion. As I said, people need more time. As the Member from Hay River mentioned, six months is not enough time. That’s why we asked for up to two years for a moratorium here so people can get that information.

We would have had a couple more votes on our last motion if we didn’t go ahead with this one, and I was hoping that we didn’t. But just with that, I’m abstaining on this one.

We also have issues of nursing, and the department has been working with the community. Every fall and spring they send a nurse into the community to spend – whether it’s breakup or freeze-up – with the community.

Will the Minister work with that department to set up some sort of arrangement like that?

In follow-up to my Member’s statement, I have a few questions for the Minister of Justice. I’d like to ask the Minister, what is the holdup on having the RCMP spend the weekend in the community of Tsiigehtchic?

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 66, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This will come into effect immediately at assent.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left I have Kelly McLaughlin, director, legislation division, Department of Justice; and my right-hand man, Mr. Tim Mercer, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act currently provides survivor benefits to a Member or a former Member’s dependent children if they are less than the age of majority or if they are under the age of 25, unmarried and attending school or university on a full-time basis.

The amendments to the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act will broaden the definition of a child to include an adult child who is dependent on a Member or a former Member for the necessities of...