Shane Thompson

I thank the Minister for that answer. It actually makes some of these equity leaseholders happier to see we are working towards it and we are doing this agreement. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please provide if this is part of the review, looking at leaseholders to purchase this title land?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in previous sessions, I have asked the Minister of Lands some questions about equity leases, and I guess it is time to do it again. It is that time of year. Can the Minister please advise us of what you are doing to address the concerns of the residents regarding their equity leases? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I totally agree that equity leases are all over the board, and I am glad the Minister is looking at that and trying to resolve that. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise us, if somebody has an equity lease, do they have to purchase their land if private ownership is allowed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that answer. It is good to hear that we are actually starting to work towards resolving this issue. Can the Minister please provide us, about the leases that are expiring or will expire during this review, what will be happening to those leases?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on May 11th to the 15th, I had an opportunity to travel with over 60 youth on their annual soccer trip to Grande Prairie. Talk about an adventure. What is really unique about this adventure is we have youth from Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte, Fort Simpson, Wrigley, and Trout Lake playing on this team, which is Sambaa K'e now, sorry Trout Lake.

So, when we took this adventure, how do we start? Well, it starts at 7:30 in the morning. We get the stuff to the school. Then we have to use Rowe's Construction's cube van to get our luggage transported to the ferry...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his answer. That’s reassuring because, when we talked about the new boards and the new authorities, we’re talking about utilizing positions, transferring them around. Can the Minister make a commitment, and he’s already made a commitment, but to the year cost analysis to show us that what would it cost to bring a machine into the community regional centres so we don’t have to ship our people to Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that answer. That’s great to hear, but I was understanding that the portable ultrasound machine was not being purchased and the existing ultrasound wasn’t working. Can the Minister clarify: do we have a portable ultrasound machine and a standard ultrasound machine in the centre?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Ray Michaud, who is a former mayor of Fort Simpson and a very strong candidate for our region, and I welcome him here.

As well, Tracy Therrien, who is a long-term friend; we've known each other for a long time. Welcome to the Assembly along with everybody else. There are some former bosses of mine from the deputy minister's office, I'd like to thank them and welcome them here. Thank you.

During my constituency term and in my conversations with expectant mothers, it has been brought to my attention that the health centre doesn’t actually use the ultrasound machine. They actually have to send them to Yellowknife. Can the Minister make a commitment or work with myself and the regional authority to get the staff trained so that we can actually have these ultrasound machines in place so that we can save some money and save time for the residents?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, after last sitting, I was informed by the Minister that we would not be purchasing a portable ultrasound machine for the Fort Simpson Health Centre. This was a little frustrating because the existing ultrasound is not working properly. Can the Minister explain why the portable ultrasound machine was deemed unnecessary for the Fort Simpson Health Centre? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.