Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm offing today, so. Mr. Speaker, the North American Indigenous Games will take place in and around Halifax from July 15th to 23rd this summer, with a multitude of sports.

Mr. Speaker, many Indigenous athletes and volunteers from the Northwest Territories have been looking forward to taking part in this event and, for some, they now find their dreams may be dashed due to a requirement to show proof of vaccination. It's the role of the 2023 North American Indigenous Games host society board and staff to ensure the games follow all policies and requirements...

Thank you. Also in the biology case work, I see a decrease there from 275 to 183, is that correct?

Thank you, Madam Chair. And how successful is it, I guess? Are we looking at potential expansion of it or contraction? Thank you.

That's all. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Can the Minister tell me if the caseload in Hay River is sufficient to warrant a you know, or to support a territorial judge at this time? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd just like to ask the Minister if the Hay River courthouse is fully staffed and what is the full staff complement that's required to operate it? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I'm trying you know, I'm thinking about, you know, the amount of work that goes into I guess trying to evict somebody. And if the rental officer is putting a lot of time into the housing side of things and nobody's getting or nobody's getting evicted or they're it drags on forever, I'm just thinking either somehow we've got to make sure that, you know, we're putting the resources where it's actually, you know, resulting in something and whether that's on the private side, make sure that they're looked after first, I guess, and the housing corporation, second...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I was thinking whether I should put my hand up. Anyways, one thing that I think that we all noticed in the last several years now is the increase in drug use and drugs coming into the Northwest Territories. And we do have a, you know, a gun and gang violence action fund. Has there been any I guess, has there been any thought put into maybe doing something similar with respect to drug trafficking and transporting across the border or is that something that's included there somewhere? Thank you.

No, thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yeah, the issue I guess is that some of the organizations are, you know, dropping the requirement at the last minute and what that does is take away an opportunity for potential athletes or participants because they don't get selected because they can't meet those requirements.

So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister tell me what he is doing to ensure that all NWT athletes, coaches, and volunteers can take part in sporting events across Canada regardless of vaccination status? Is the department intervening on behalf of those who are not able to provide proof of...