Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a few opening comments here. It’s been brought to my attention that the communities that I represent, specifically Aklavik and Tsiigehtchic and even McPherson, would like to see a lot of the contracts that are through Public Works, whether it’s for maintenance or work that needs to be done in the community. In many cases, I see a clause under the contracts that state that it has to be within 50 kilometres of the community, and that’s what the communities would like to see on a lot of these contracts specifically for maintenance. A lot of this can be done...

Just on another issue. Under the Aboriginal languages broadcasting, a couple Members mentioned last week they had a huge storm up in our region, and while we had that, wind took out the antenna at the Tsiigehtchic radio station. Is there funding available for cases like this to get the local radio station up and running to help out the community in a case like this?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It seems like every time we bring up issues related to what’s needed in the communities we get the same answer, “We need to hear what the communities need in the community.” Well, the communities are telling us as their representatives what is needed in the communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Is the Minister willing to work with the community of Tsiigehtchic to identify a shelter for women and violence? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Built in 1969, Moose Kerr School was named after Arnold J. Kerr, a long-standing principal who strove to incorporate the local culture into the daily learning environment.

The school underwent renovations in 1997 with the expansion of the senior high wing and the addition of a beautiful library that is reflective of the cultures. The library was later recognized as a public school library to service both students and community.

Moose Kerr School is the oldest school in the Northwest Territories as of today. Even though one is older, but it did go through major...

That’s just what I wanted to hear. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Moose Kerr School was constructed in 1969, exactly the same time as Samuel Hearne High School was built in Inuvik. Samuel Hearne was demolished and replaced a couple years ago. My constituents would like to know why is Moose Kerr School still standing. At 46 years old it’s overdue for replacement. The Minister of Education stated in the House that Moose Kerr School is slated for replacement or renovation in 2019. That’s four years from now.

I’m concerned about potential safety hazards at the school, specifically whether asbestos poses a risk to children’s health...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is to do with the management of wildlife. Does the Minister have funds that they could contribute to encouraging our people to harvest more of these species? Thank you.

As the Minister knows, we have the best fur in the world. There is a huge demand, you see it all the time, for sheared beaver, beavertail wallets. It’s just like snakeskin. I had one a few years back; it was pretty nice.

But as the Minister is just taking this department back on, I think it’s time that we make this review. Even changing it to $45 or $50 for an advance, that would help out the harvesters a great deal. Is the Minister willing to do this?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a concern from the community of Aklavik. Harvesters in the community would like to see an increase to the prime fur bonus for beaver, mink and also fox. I brought this issue up a couple of weeks back. You know, the populations are increasing on beavers and foxes, and also mink and otters, as well, but the advance that’s given for these animals is very low; $25 for a minimum payment under the Fur Pricing Program, which will be taken on by ENR on April 1st.

The amount of work that goes into working of the animals such as a beaver, the time you spend going out...