David Krutko

Mr. Speaker, I believe also that to be fair to our aboriginal employees, especially in the Inuvik region.... They are unfairly treated when it comes to training dollars. Other individuals or non-aboriginals are able to go southern places to take training, but our employees in the Inuvik region are told to go see if they can take a course at Arctic College in Inuvik. Yet other employees are basically allowed to go to southern courses. I would like to ask the Minister: why is this government allowing mishandling by way of how we treat our employees, aboriginal versus non-aboriginal, in the...

Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses in, please.

For the record, Mr. Minister, could you introduce your witnesses.

Does committee agree that Bill 19 is now ready for third reading?

Bill 19, Donation of Food Act, approved for third reading.

Does the committee agree that Bill 17 is ready for third reading?

Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, approved for third reading.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. It’s in regard to the human resource officers in the Mackenzie Delta region — more importantly, the ones in my riding. I know I’ve raised in Committee of the Whole that these people are basically not given opportunities by way of training. The equipment they’re working with is hand-me-down. In some cases it’s practically junk. I have received pictures in this particular matter of the equipment these people are having to operate. I’m told that most of the radios and whatnot that are in those offices in our...

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. At this time I’d like to ask the Minister if he’ll be bringing in any witnesses.

General comments? Clause by clause? Okay; we can draw our attention to Bill 19. We’re on page 1, clause 1.

Clauses 1 through 3 inclusive approved.

Moving back to page 1 with regard to the preamble.

Preamble approved.

Clauses 1 and 2 approved.

Mr. Speaker, maybe the Minister can tell us exactly what type of authority this government does have, because it doesn’t seem like we are doing anything in this area. Does this government have responsibility in regard to consumer protection by way of a legislative authority?

Committee of the Whole, Bill 16, Write-off of Debts Act. At this time I’d like to ask the Minister sponsoring the bill if he has any opening comments. Mr. Miltenberger.