Herbert Nakimayak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about mental health in Nunakput. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. My first question, Mr. Speaker, is: can the Minister provide an update on the activities supporting mental health that will take place in our small communities across the NWT, including the Nunakput region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Nunakput region with its communities of Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk, and Ulukhaktok may be remote, but our communities are close-knit. Because we are close to our families, friends, and neighbours, Mr. Speaker, I know that many are struggling with matters of mental health. When we gathered in the House in February, I spoke about the terrible impacts of suicide on communities in my region. More broadly, Mr. Speaker, mental health needs in our communities continues to demand our attention. In the past, the Minister of Health and Social Services...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my question is for the line on School of Community Government. For 2014-15, it shows at $3.29 million. For 2016-17, it shows $2.9 million. Can the Minister identify the cuts from last year to this year? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Yes, just one more comment to that, Mr. Chair. I encourage the Minister to work with myself, Inuvialuit and the federal government as we move closer to this as it'll become a big logistical project as we move closer towards the opening. I appreciate the comments, thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my question is for the line of the new highway corridor, Planning Infrastructure Canada. And maybe the line below that as well too, the Inuvialuit implementation Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. My question to the Minister is are there plans to… like the opening of the highway is going to be a big thing, it's not just for Canada, but for North America as well too, we're connecting coast to coast to coast -- and I'm just curious if there's any plans for the GNWT to work alongside with Inuvialuit and the federal government on plans for the opening of the highway in...

That is good. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Sorry, we’re on 370, right?

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my final question is: what is the status of planned work for the Nunakput communities, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, and Ulukhaktok, to help these communities to access homelessness funds?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I made a eulogy, but today I have questions for the Minister responsible for Homelessness. In many cases, NWT residents lose their homes to fires, mould, and in my region, soil-line erosion, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Minister of Homelessness is: the Homelessness Assistance Fund provides only one-time funding, which means that once you’ve used it, you can’t use it again. What other options are available for residents experiencing housing crises? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I just wanted to pay respects to one of the elders in Tuktoyaktuk. Lucy Dillon was born in 1951 in Kittigazuit in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to Kelly and Rosie Ovayuak. Lucy was the fifth-oldest of 11 children. She attended the Anglican school in Aklavik, Stringer Hall in Inuvik, and Akaitcho Hall in Yellowknife. After moving back home to Tuktoyaktuk, she began a career working as an administrator. She worked at that for years before she embarked on a new direction in her career. She worked as a secretary for Mangilaluk School for several years...