Bob McLeod

Obviously, the departments are the ones that find the funding for hiring the summer students and if you go back to 2008, we had 353 summer students. Since that time we’ve had a recession and we’ve had fiscal issues, so obviously that has implications. We’ve tried to address it by having departments hiring but also providing funds so that the private sector can be assisted in hiring summer students, as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories has a commitment to building a strong northern workforce and also fulfilling its strategy to maximize northern employment. As such, we have summer student hiring as an important priority. On average over the past eight years we’ve hired about 315 summer students. Last year we hired 263 students. This year we’re hoping to meet our objective of 263. To date we’ve hired 82 summer students and have 42 job offers out there for a total of 124. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Public Service Act to remove the restriction that prevents the appointment of more than three staffing review officers.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act, be read for the first time.

To date nearly $1 million has been generated in sales for trappers and their families across the Northwest Territories.

Fur sales last year were negatively affected by the downturn in the economy. Now we are seeing the effects of the global recovery. Throughout dramatic swings in market, the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program has proven very beneficial to trappers. The program provides stability through guarantees on prices and benefits.

The Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program is about promoting self-sufficiency and self-reliance. It also aims to create economic diversity for residents in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) to have Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, moved into Committee of the Whole today.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act, be read for the first time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Take a Kid Trapping and Harvesting Report, 2009-2010.

Mr. Speaker, by actively supporting the harvesting and marketing of wild fur through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking action to diversify the economy. This will provide all communities and regions with opportunities as identified in the 16th Assembly’s vision of Northerners Working Together.

Over $815,000 worth of genuine Mackenzie Valley furs were sold at a wild fur auction held in Seattle this past March, and over 90 percent of the pelts shipped to auction were sold. This is an increase of 47 percent from last year’s sales, and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every summer thousands of visitors come to Northwest Territories parks and campgrounds. The priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories is to keep our parks and visitor facilities in top condition to ensure these visitors have a memorable and enjoyable experience.

The Government of the Northwest Territories continues to make improvements and investments in parks and visitor facilities throughout the Northwest Territories. By making these improvements, we are encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore the tourist opportunities the Northwest Territories...