Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Escarpment Creek is part of a park that includes other falls in the area, and we use it for group activities. In our efforts to improve services and enjoyment of the use of our parks in the Northwest Territories, we’ll certainly review the designation that we’ve given to Escarpment Creek. Thank you.

The Affirmative Action Policy applies to the MAP program, but generally, it’s application-based. If an aboriginal person doesn’t apply, then they don’t have an opportunity to be selected.

I should point out that our government is looking at a number of different ways to try to address the problem. One is the employment equity program, whereby we would target specific groups and sectors to increase the number of aboriginal people. Also, we’re reviewing the Public Service Career Training Program, which was cut some years ago, to see if it could still apply.

As part of a budget reduction exercise, it was a proposal that was put forward as part of the transition planning process from one government to the next incoming government. It was a proposal that was accepted and passed by the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Government of the Northwest Territories Contracts Over $5,000 Report: Year to Date for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2008.

Document 64-16(2), GNWT Contracts Over $5,000 Report: Year to Date for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2008, tabled.

The government still has programs that are available to be accessed. One is the Management Assignment Program, which has an intake of, I believe, 20 people per year, and I think it had taken input in until last year. Anybody who applies or whose name is put forward has to be assessed with regard to the skills they have. Then, basically, they obtain experience through transfer assignments and work assignments of that ilk.

Also, senior managers or departments have the ability to identify aboriginal people who have the potential to move up, and they can develop a training plan for them so that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that it was a decision made at the time of division, at which time there was legislation that prevented the Legislature from going into a deficit position. At that time it was one of the reductions. There was a small portion that was left over that went into Education for training.

There are quite a number of different aspects of the energy costs, and through the Energy Corp coordinating committee we are trying to ensure that all the Ministers who have responsibilities have input into the process. I guess the most urgent thing is to look at ways to reduce the cost of resupply for diesel fuel. I think we’re doing that through the Department of Public Works.

Also, as part of this rate review we’ll be looking at the cost of the regulatory process. We want to see if that’s adding to the cost of fuel for people in communities. We will also be looking at the way the Power...

We’ve undertaken this work, and we’ve submitted draft terms of reference. As soon as we get some feedback on the draft terms of reference, we’ll be able to start the process on the review of the rate. We’ll be looking at hopefully having something we could introduce in 2009.

It’s our intention to work very closely with the standing committees and any Member who is interested in the high cost of energy in the Northwest Territories. We’re starting the process with the draft terms of reference. We’re looking forward to receiving comments from the standing committee.

It is our intention to resurrect all of the work that has been done in the past and utilize that in the review of the rates by the committee. It is also our intention to talk to the public and other stakeholders. Certainly the work that was done on the single rate would be very useful in determining the options we would be bringing forward for review.