Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to this Assembly that the Hamlet of Enterprise is the only hamlet in the Northwest Territories that does not have a school of its own.

Mr. Speaker, can you imagine that in today's climate of reconciliation and with the national focus and the utmost importance of quality early learning and childcare that the parents of young children in the Hamlet of Enterprise are still forced to send their children to the town of Hay River, which is approximately 40 kilometres away, in order to receive an education. Mr. Speaker, this situation is...

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, Bill 46: An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, received second reading in the Legislative Assembly March 9th, 2022, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment for review.

On May 10th, 2022, standing committee held a public hearing and completed its clausebyclause review with the Minister of Infrastructure on May 25th, 2022. The committee received no submissions on this bill.

I thank the committee for review on this legislation. Individual Members may have additional comments. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Tu NedheWiilideh, that this Legislative Assembly calls upon the Government of the Northwest Territories to provide increased access to physicians and medical specialists to offer quality care, diagnoses, and second opinions; and further, the Government of the Northwest Territories prioritize cultural safety, traumainformed care, and antiIndigenous racism professional development training within the Health and Social...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. And I believe the hamlet would like to meet by themselves as a hamlet and not have any involvement with Hay River at this point.

Mr. Speaker, this government has the opportunity to do the right thing by working collaboratively with the residents of Enterprise to find solutions to the request for a school, whether it be a new build or an existing infrastructure. Can the Minister commit to putting this request at the top of their business plans and quite possibly have a school in place for the coming school year? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister.

Mr. Speaker, I know there will be First Nations development corporations or businesses looking to partner with established businesses or companies to secure contracts to repair the damaged sections. Will the Minister consider negotiated contracts for these repairs? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for that response.

Can the Minister let us know if these sections will require major repairs to ensure proper width and compaction? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this spring has been especially hard on the river communities due to floods. I would like to bring attention to our highway systems and the washouts we have been experiencing lately. Mind you, this might be a once in a lifetime event and hopefully not a recurring event.

A section of Highway 1 from the NWT/Alberta border was closed for a few days due to a washout from highwater levels. A section of Highway 1 from Junction 3 to Kilometre 238 was closed due to a washout. The Kakisa access road was shut down for a day or so due to a washout. A section of highway...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these are natural disasters, and I'm just not sure if insurance claims will be an issue here in these circumstances. Does the Minister have the necessary funding for these type of emergencies? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Infrastructure Minister related to my Member's statement on highway washouts.

Can the Minister explain the extent of the damage and the type of repairs completed at the washout locations in order for traffic to flow through? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi to the Minister for that. Mr. Speaker, I believe the departments are still tallying up costs related to the last year's flooding at Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson. We are aware the GNWT has footed the bill for new builds for Jean Marie River. K’atl’odeeche First Nations riverfront homes have been damaged by the flooding and quite possibly are uninhabitable.

Will the Minister commit to replacing the damaged homes on the K’atl’odeeche First Nations? Mahsi.