Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 28, 2013, I will move that Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member’s statement today, I’d like to ask the Minister of MACA a couple of questions. I would like to ask the Minister of MACA if he is willing to assist the community to develop and design a plan for the new arena in Fort McPherson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to speak about the marina for Fort McPherson. The community has set their priority in their community and that is to build a new arena. The current arena they have now was built in 1987. The location was built on the grounds of the old Fleming Hall that’s affecting the foundation. That’s their plan over the next couple of years. They figure the rough estimate is roughly $5 million. That’s one thing that the community has said.

Community arenas are vital for small communities in the North. Our youth, elders and leaders make use of these buildings on a daily...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a few comments I’d like to make. I’m very glad to see the seniors’ complex that’s planned for Aklavik. It’s much needed in the community and it’s good to see that in the budget.

I’d just like to also emphasize that there are a lot of people moving back to the communities of Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic over the last couple of years here and a housing shortage has come underway. I strongly believe we’re in need of single unit multiplex units in the communities. I think that would free up a lot of room for my constituents. Also in our plan, as of now there...

Is the Minister willing to work with the leadership in Aklavik on next steps in the implementation of their feasibility and planning studies? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about my community of Aklavik and the Willow River road project. We’ve discussed this project numerous times and I feel that I need to remind the Minister that funding needs to be secured in order for this project to take place.

There is a Mountain Road Committee set up consisting of leadership from Aklavik, which also includes a few elders. This committee has been pleading for the Willow River road project to be included in our budget, an allocation of sufficient funds to be committed to this project. At this time I might add that my constituents...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to bring up a concern that’s been raised up in the Mackenzie Delta. As you know, for the last number of years the communities have asked for a long-term care facility. I know that we are expecting some elder homes, but many of the elders would like to stay within the community. I know it’s more difficult as they move on in age, but I think it’s time that we decentralize this care. I know right now we are practising bringing them into the regional centres, but I think we need to step back and go to the models that we once had. For example, the Joe Greenland...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have a comment I’d like to make on this department. The communities are very thankful for this capital funding that they got. Gone are the days when they put in a wish list of what they’d like to see in their communities. Now the communities make their plans of what they’re going to do and every year you see the communities building, building up their infrastructure and a lot of people working in the communities. I just wanted to thank the department and hope this keeps going in the future. Thank you.

I’d just like to ask the Minister, will he accept my invitation to visit my riding? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Member’s statement earlier, I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation what training opportunities are available for residents of Aklavik in connection with the Willow River access road and other roadwork going on in the region? Thank you.