Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I think the Minister laid it out there, but it still doesn’t squash the concern that there’s no capital in the future years upcoming. I think the only thing I saw in the books is 2018 or 2019, but I’d like to see it certainly moved up and the community would like to. So, if there’s any further remark, it would be that, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

The committee heard that the department should help residents understand significant changes under the new Wildlife Act and avoid inadvertent violations of the new act by promoting awareness of the roles, responsibilities and authorizations it contains. Recognizing the complexity of the Northwest Territories’ wildlife and habitat management system, the committee recommends that the department conduct an extensive communications campaign to ensure all residents are aware of the new act and its provisions. The committee highlights the importance of ensuring clarity surrounding the process for...

Mr. Speaker, I’m glad that the Minister is open to discussing that with the community. Without pressing the matter further, I certainly would like to invite the Minister. Probably before Christmas we could arrange a meeting like that, if the Minister could commit to coming to Fort Simpson. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about the Lafferty ferry in Fort Simpson. At a recent constituency meeting, constituents raised the idea that perhaps it’s time for our ferry to start opening earlier, about 6:00 a.m. It currently runs at 8:00 a.m. until midnight. I believe that’s a great idea, because in the past two years I’ve seen an increased demand for ferry services at an earlier hour.

As well, constituents have raised the idea that it will, in fact, help constituents with their travel plans for better travelling connections, so I believe the 6:00 a.m. start is...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The media was quick to pick up in the capital plan that there’s nothing for Yellowknife, and I’m glad.

---Laughter

Well, I’ve been at this table here for 10 years and finally the needs in the regions and communities have outstripped what’s going to be spent, most particularly for one fiscal year. But at the same time I’m not lost to the fact that inclusion of the Inuvik-Tuk highway has taken a lot of capital away from all regions. In fact, I think it’s like $70 million this coming fiscal year. So we have to keep in mind how many resources that takes away as we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my questions on the Lafferty ferry operations to the Minister of Transportation. Given that there is an increased demand for opening up the ferry sooner, like a 6 a.m. start, how can the Minister facilitate this by working with the community and work towards an earlier ferry start? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. During my fall constituency tour, residents and communities are very concerned about the potential changes to the structure of our Deh Cho Health and Social Services. Rumour has it that the Minister and the Department of Health and Social Services are contemplating major changes since the health board was not reappointed in March of this year. The plan, we hear, is to have a new CEO appointed in Hay River, and then this individual would then run both the Hay River Health Board and the Deh Cho Health Board. This is incredible.

Communities and regions want more...

The communities certainly want to have these consultations, they want to be advised, they want to be involved. But at the same time, rumours continue to persist. Improving services like providing better services to the communities surrounding Hay River and using their facilities certainly makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is removing the power and control over the Deh Cho Health and Social Services. So what is the plan there and will the Minister address that?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today in my Member’s statement, I was speaking about the Department of Health and Social Services pretty much stripping community authority over the Deh Cho Health and Social Services in my region. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services what is going on here and what is the plan for the community. Originally when the board was not reappointed, the intent there was to reassess and evaluate and improve programs and services, but now we’re going to lose governing power over our board. I don’t think that was the intent and it’s not the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to hear that that was just a bird’s eye view and that they’re not going there. Once again, Mr. Minister had travelled with me earlier in the year to the Nahendeh communities, and I would like to continue to invite him to complete the tour. Then I think we may have to make an extended tour again, because people do want to hear more about Deh Cho Health and Social Services, they want the programs and services to improve.

So will the Minister come with me on a tour, and as well as a plan with his department of addressing consultations with the communities as...