Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, How is this government working with both Indigenous government and federal partners to advance the proposed Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and secure funding for critical road and trades infrastructure? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier.

Indeed, we know that having a good working relationship is important for advancement. With that in mind, I want to ask the Premier how is this government planning to ensure that upcoming mining and infrastructure projects in the Tlicho region deliver long-term socio-economic benefits for communities beyond short-term employment? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the response. Mr. Speaker, given the imminent closure of the Diavik diamond mine and Gahcho Kue mine just recently announced -- so what step is this government taking to develop a comprehensive transition plan for affected Tlicho communities and other northern communities in the NWT? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Tlicho diversification:

Recently, I learned of an important development in northern Ontario where three First Nations have entered a landmark partnership with Canada Nickel to advance a major mining project in their traditional territory near Timmins. This agreement includes preferential access to an estimated $2.5 billion in contract opportunities, ensuring that Indigenous governments are true partners, not just observers in resource development.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to compare the Ontario Nickel-First Nations agreement with the MOU announced at the AME...

Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. My colleagues have -- you know, we all did at one time, too -- about treatment facility in the Northwest Territories. We all want a treatment facility because many of our young people are going south though talking to some people, and we heard that once a person goes south for treatment program they come back to the same scenario so, you know, they relapse, so the relapse is great. But what -- the success -- talking to some of the psychologists and some of the counsellors, the success with a treatment program is that they do 60 days and 60 days of the extended care...

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Thank you. And I know it's not on here, but I know there was the out of territory treatment program but community wellness, mental health -- community mental wellness and addiction recovery, there is a decrease, the operation and expenditure summary. Why is there a decrease when we know that we have an addiction issue and problems in many of the small communities? Thank you.

Thank you. Well, that's -- MRI machine is very important and, you know, when I said the department of health is very important for the -- for our people, especially the Indigenous because of our treaty rights -- my colleague always talks about treaty rights so it is part of our treaties, so that's why I said, you know, department of health and education are two important departments for us.

Dialysis, hospital -- I know that, you know, larger regional -- no, I don't think Inuvik does have one, but I know there's one probably south of us. But dialysis machine, you know, there's quite a few people...

Okay, thank you. With the hospital services, okay there is an increase from previous to current -- to upcoming. But, you know, I know my colleagues they talk about that medical travel and patient advocates was mentioned and, you know, like quite a few times that, you know, I've been hearing from my constituents and others as well regarding their experience with medical travel and a lot of times we were told, or they were told, go talk to the medical -- to the patient advocates. And some of them they said who, who do I go to, but -- so I don't know if they're being utilized, if -- you know, if...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Hospital services, I know the budget went down from last fiscal year to upcoming fiscal year. Even with the revised, it still has remained the same. So I know in the hospital here there's MRI -- we have CAT scan but we don't have MRI. Can the Minister explain why MRI is not available in the Northwest Territories.