Michael Nadli

Madam Chair, my next question is in regard to the health station replacement on the Hay River Reserve. I understand that there is a building that is sitting there empty, unoccupied. I just want to clarify if the building is complete. What is the $180,000 for?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have questions and concerns, but the first is in regard to the proposed Fort Providence health centre. I could probably safely say that the community looks forward to the construction of the new health centre to replace the old building. We are looking forward to seeing it realized. I just wanted to see if there is a commitment from the Department of Public Works or the Department of Health and Social Services to meet with the community at some point, more likely the contractor has to be involved with that, but to ensure that the community residents do have input into...

Mr. Speaker, as you know, we come from a culture of habit and respect for elders and especially senior citizens that travel long ways, especially as we turn to increase our potential in tourism. Why is there not discounted rates for senior citizens that use the campgrounds, especially as they travel a long way to be up here in the North? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you enter the Northwest Territories, we are quite fortunate to have rest stops and campgrounds right from Enterprise leading up right to Yellowknife. My question is to the Minister of ITI.

In these campgrounds that we have, I wanted to come to an understanding. Right now we are at the height of tourism season starting. What kind of rate structure does ITI have for campgrounds for daily to long-term usage in the campgrounds? Mahsi.

Has the department had any discussions with Health and Social Services as to a timeline of what we could perhaps expect as an opening and the operation of the health centre on the reserve?

Madam Chair, at this point has the department had any preliminary ideas as to the fate of the old health centre, realizing that, when the community health centre is completed, there will be a decision that will have to be made regarding the old health centre?

I wanted to ask a question in terms of partnership and working with communities. I think it’s essential to ensure that lays the basis of the relationship, especially with communities that are basically categorized as have-nots. One of the recent initiatives that have come about is the initiative to establish a wood pellet plant in my riding. What kind of support capacity is the department undertaking to ensure that it does come to a successful reality and is one day operational? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I made the comment regarding the employment rates in Fort Providence. My question is to the Minister of ITI.

In the Deh Cho riding – of course we are located in the southwestern part of the NWT – we pride ourselves on being located to the gateway to the North, gateway to Denendeh. The big thing that we come across when we drive the highway, of course, is the iconic Deh Cho Bridge. This government has invested millions of dollars, and we need to ensure that we begin at some moment in time to enjoy the benefits of the investments that we’ve made and at least enjoy...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Microphone turned off] …among the most scenic, accessible, promising regions of the NWT. It is rich in resources, home to a world-renowned national park and named for one of the earth’s most majestic rivers, and now we have a completed bridge.

However, the potential of the Deh Cho area remains underdeveloped. The unemployment rate in Fort Providence was 30 percent in 2009, while the average for the NWT was closer to 10 percent. NWT residents are consistently among the highest wage earners in Canada, but at the same time, 32 percent of households in the Deh Cho report...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is encouraging to hear from the Minister that one of the steps that he begins to perhaps contemplate is an immediate step of an action plan to ensure that the Economic Development Strategy moves forward. I want to see if there could be assurances from the Minister that he’ll commit to ensure that some initiatives that are badly needed in the have-not communities, like the communities that I represent in the riding, will happen.

Would the Minister commit to ensure that the partnership will continue, especially with the wood pellet industry initiative that’s ongoing...