David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d like to ask the Minister some questions in regard to the area of compensation benefits. I notice there’s been an increase of about $500,000, but if you look at the area of grants and contributions, there’s been a decrease of about almost $6.5 million. I’m just wondering why there’s no real correlation between delivery of the programs and services and the decline in grants and contributions. I’d like to know what the declines are, and more importantly what is the increase in regard to compensation benefits. Thank you.

Just another major increase. I noticed that there is some $400,000 increase in the other expenses. Could you break down the other expenses and the $400,000? What is that for?

I just have a question to the Minister or one of the staff in regard to writing off bad debts. We have debts we carried on our books in regard to people who have passed on. Basically, if you’re a couple, you have someone’s debt that basically will fall over to you. Is there anything that the government has done to dispose of bad debts in the local housing authority where we know that the person is deceased or we know that because of ailment and whatnot, there’s no way these people will ever be able to pay that off. Is there some sort of a disposal of debts act that we can look at to deal with...

Thanks for the clarification. In regard to another issue I had on contributions for water and sewer service funding, for communities like those where they have mixed services with both water delivery and utilidor services, a combination of services, where the costs may be higher for the total operational costs of water and sewer services, is that formula calculated in the way that you can accommodate those communities with mixed services of both water delivery and utilidor systems in place?

Maybe I can ask the Minister if he can check in regard to the negotiating contracting guidelines that clearly stipulates that there has to be annual reporting on those contracts on each additional year in regard to the type of employment, the number of northern hires, training, and also ensuring that the commitments made in those contracts, the negotiated contracts, are fulfilled. I’d just like to ask the Minister if he can check in his department under the guidelines to ensure that the guidelines are being followed. Thank you.

I would like to ask the Minister exactly, can we see any additional resources in regards to equipment and equipment replacement for firefighters in our communities to ensure that they not only have the training but also have the equipment to carry out their jobs. Are there any funds available in regards to fire suppressant and making sure that they are equipped to respond to fires? Thank you.

I’m not too clear but I thought the understanding was that the local housing authorities are registered under the Societies Act as an organization, in which they have to hold annual meetings and at the annual meetings is when they elect their board in the community. I’m just wondering if the Minister or the regional staff can go into Tsiigehtchic and host a community meeting so that they can follow the bylaws that already exist. They already registered as a society; it’s just a matter of having the public meeting. I’d just like to ask the Minister if he can direct his staff or the regional...

So is that the nine communities that have what we call band status or band government status?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment regarding the Minister responsible for BIP and also under the negotiating contracting guidelines. Part of the guidelines requires that there be an annual reporting of these contracts. I’d like to ask the Minister if his department has worked with the contracting departments to ensure we’re complying with the negotiating contracting guidelines and ensuring that those reports are done annually.

If possible, will the government consider bringing in a supp so that we can conclude those projects?