George Nerysoo

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One last question, what's the criteria for some organization, like, that's applying for -- may want to apply for funding; what's the criteria? Do they have to be affiliated to a society of some sort? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm just looking at what my colleague from Inuvik Boot Lake just stated was the Great Northern Arts Festival. We have a festival that's affiliated with the community of Fort McPherson, the Midway Lake community -- I mean, the Midway Lake Music Festival. Has this organization ever made a proposal to your department for funding? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister consider joining the Ministers' tour of the Mackenzie Delta on July 16th and 17th and get back to me with a response as soon as possible? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are other benefits getting at and using this specific gravel source for training opportunities, for the Dempster Highway, and also the local economy. Will the Minister look at other stakeholders and try to make this venture a reality for the benefit of the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A gravel source is very important for many reasons. We need gravel for the upkeep of the highway, for the ferry landings, and for community use. With the high cost of fuel and transportation, it is important that we find a gravel source that is close to the community and readily available at a competitive price.

While Tsiigehtchic has that gravel source right in its backyard, extracting this source will benefit the community in many ways like training, employment, and this venture will help the economy of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, today, if any community within the Beaufort...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. I am aware of the agreement. Can the Minister provide programs that these elders are eligible for and provide those directly to the homeowners by mail? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The local housing authority conducts annual inspections on public housing units to cut down on major costs. Can the Minister and/or the department direct local housing authorities to have their maintenance staff conduct annual inspections on these few elders' homes within their respective communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my constituency meeting in Tsiigehtchic, Peter Ross, an elder from the community, stated that he seems to be forgotten by the government after elections are completed. He stated that once he votes for his MLA, he does not see them for another four years. I do not want to be that elected official. I want to be visible and work for the constituency of my riding. But I require the assistance of this government because you too have been elected as Ministers to sit on Cabinet by your peers.

Mr. Speaker, Peter Ross is a well-known elder throughout the region and the NWT...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too will be supporting this motion. You know, it's hard to see your people suffer, your family members, your community members. It's hard to see them suffer. And trying to find a solution to this ongoing problem, it's hard. I hope this motion will start the process. We've tried every avenue. We've met with the RCMP. We've met with Indigenous leaders, governments. We're just having a tough time dealing with this ongoing battle. Like I stated, it's hard to see your family members suffering. They don't know how much they're suffering, and the drug dealers from southern...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister consider contracting an Indigenous government or company to conduct these inspections? This is just to bring comfort to the elders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.