David Krutko

Are we agreed?

General comments. Mr. Bromley.

The Committee of the Whole is now in order. Sessional statement.

Is the committee agreed?

Mr. Speaker, I believe that during the 15th Assembly the Minister’s predecessor opened up that agreement and allowed more people to be flown in from southern Canada, with no consideration for other people in the Northwest Territories. Since that was the position given to the companies in the 15th Assembly, I don’t see why this government could not also ask for an addition to that agreement, like we already gave in the previous negotiations. I’d like to ask the Minister again: will he consider opening up that agreement to ensure that there are more Northwest Territories residents working in the...

Mr. Speaker, there are some $300 million in wages leaving the Northwest Territories every year and going south in Canada. Yet for residents of the Northwest Territories to get a job, now they have to go to Alberta to find work because the companies in the Northwest Territories are not hiring Northwest Territories residents. I think that as a government we have a responsibility to ensure we take care of the interests of residents of the Northwest Territories first.

I’d like to ask the Minister again: would he make sure the N.W.T. Mining Association along with Diavik, BHP, and other companies...

I move we report progress.

Motion carried.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I’d like to take an opportunity to thank Flint Energy of Calgary for taking on the initiative of going into Mackenzie Delta communities to consult individuals and take applications for employment in the oil and gas industry in Alberta. I also would like to thank the oil and gas industry for looking at the potential resources that we have — which are the people of the Northwest Territories, especially in the Mackenzie Delta — to look for job opportunities in the oil and gas industry.

The company also committed to pay for the transportation costs of the individuals that...

Next on the list I have Ms. Bisaro, Member for Frame Lake.

General comments. Mr. Ramsay.