Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

DEH CHO
Both members of the legislative assembly representing the Deh Cho region have been busy visiting their constituents in preparation for the fall return of the legislature, and residents are calling for better highway conditions, educational facilities and programs.

Deh Cho region MLAs Kevin Menicoche and Michael Nadli are visiting with their constituents before the start of the fourth session of the legislative assembly on Oct. 17. - NNSL file photo

The fourth session of the Northwest Territories legislative assembly will reconvene on Oct. 17.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche was headed to Wrigley on Oct. 1, Fort Liard on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3, and Jean Marie River on Oct. 4 to meet with constituents. Driving to Wrigley and Fort Liard will give him a chance to check the highway conditions. He said he continues to push for continued maintenance on the Liard highway.

"As well, the Wrigley highway (Highway 1) has been damaged by extra work this year and it's very concerning to the residents of Wrigley," said Menicoche. "The Liard Highway (Highway 7) requires reconstruction because of many, many soft spots. Usually, this time of year, it becomes obvious when it's rainy and wet conditions. Residents have been stating the condition of Highway 7 for many, many years."

As a result of the extra vehicles on the Wrigley highway, it is in need of repairs, he added.

Wrigley residents have also voiced concerns about the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway and what increased traffic will bring to the community. The 818-kilometre all-weather road, from Wrigley to a point on the Dempster Highway south of Inuvik, is something Menicoche supports. The project's estimated cost comes in at about $1.7 billion. The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board recently finished up scoping sessions with communities that would be most affected by the road.

"Certainly territorial wide, I am in favour of reducing the cost of living and the extension of the highway is certainly one (way to do it)," he said. "But at the same time, with development, we've got to have equal resources for social impacts."

The increased development into the Sahtu, a region the highway will connect, has reignited the idea of having nursing services in Wrigley, he added.

One of the biggest issues Menicoche will bring forward to the territorial capital this fall is the low literacy results from elementary students in the small communities, he said. For the past six years, he said children in grades 3 or 4 are almost one year behind. The department of education administers annual tests to children in Grade 3, 6 and 9.

"I am concerned and I want to raise it in the communities. How can we better improve our small-school education system to better improve the results for our children?" asked Menicoche. "Many children don't have the necessary courses to get their Grade 12. Often, (they) have to repeat courses. That's why it's important to address the issue in the early grade years."

Menicoche also represents the communities of Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte and Fort Simpson and will bring forward some of their concerns.

"Trout Lake has always been asking for a replacement school for their own stand-alone school," he said.

Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli was planning to visits his constituents in Fort Providence, Kakisa, Enterprise and Hay River by Oct. 11.

He did not want to be "presumptuous" and make statements before meeting with constituents. He said he wanted to let residents have the opportunity to express their issues or concerns.

"I would say the well-being of individuals seems to be foremost in people's mind, especially in light of the closure of the treatment centre," he said, referring to the territorial government's decision to cease funding to the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre on the Hay River Reserve, forcing it to close its doors on Sept. 30. "That seems to be the concern I am seeing fairly common in the communities, how it's going to impact the overall wellness strategy the GNWT is undertaking."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.