Jane Weyallon Armstrong

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...

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.

(audio) take up my time, yeah. Okay, well, since we're on the topic of diabetes, we know that it's very important and you said, you know, the chronic diseases, it's on the rise, especially among the Indigenous people. And on the land diabetes program, there's no funding for next fiscal year. Why is that?

So the operation for the small communities have not changed, then? Within that area, addictions recovery?

Diabetes, I talk to many of my constituents and a lot of them have been saying, you know, we need that program back. In the past, there was a diabetic -- or the nurse used to come and visit the communities and work well with the community. Lately, I know that diabetes among the Indigenous is on the rise because of the lifestyle. We know that. So I want to ask the Minister, because we do have money for healthy choice funds, healthy family, on the land, diabetes program, etcetera. And is there any plan in the near future to bring the diabetes program to the small communities? Thank you.

Okay. Okay, she mentioned all the regions, and I know that in Tlicho region, you know, we make up 10 percent of the population, and Behchoko is the largest community. Has the department ever thought about putting a patient advocates or Indigenous patient advocates in Tlicho region especially now with that -- and I know that language is -- for many, it's a barrier. So if we have a patient advocate in the region, people will know who to go to, and they can speak to the person in their language. So I just wanted to ask the Minister is there any -- is there a plan in place, or have they -- to put...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, that is a shame because that hospital -- you know, to build that hospital, millions and millions and millions of dollars was spent especially -- not only that -- especially when a hospital that we do not own, you know. And they left out one of the most equipment, an MRI, you know, like it's early detection of all kinds of illness. So that is -- it's -- you know, I mean, that is a shame because it's a lifesaving equipment for many of our people. And so with that, because there's no MRI in that -- at Stanton Hospital, so can the Minister explain to us -- so...

Okay, thank you. So then some of the communities that does not have adequate health centres, will they be getting the help that they need or build more health centres in small communities? I know that's a capital project, but still. Thank you.