Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know it's a great initiative. I also notice under the heading it mentions homes, as well, Mr. Chair, and I'd like to ask the department: How is that part of it moving forward? Is it with Ecology North, or who's actually heading up that section of it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, as the department knows, Fort McPherson has done a lot in biomass over the last couple of years, and there were talks last year of possibly tying in the school or getting another unit for the school and the community. I'm just wondering if there's any further talks on that. I know Public Works has been leaning towards more biomass projects through the community, so I would just like to get a little update. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned also, we're losing upwards of 20 jobs in our communities as a result of this. How can the corporation justify putting these people out of work, Mr. Speaker? Our small communities depend on these units being built in our communities; it's plain and simple. The employment rate is going to stay below 35 per cent because we're losing these jobs, Mr. Speaker, so how can the department justify that?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, follow-up to my Member's statement, I have two questions for the Minister of Housing. I'll use Tsiigehtchic as the first example, because this is the first community that was approved to have a modular home sent to the community. Mr. Speaker, it's been 10 months our community has been waiting to have this unit that's supposed to be shipped to the community in the fall. Mr. Speaker, there has to be added costs, and I'm sure we wouldn't find that out until the fall, by the time we actually get the unit in Tsiigehtchic. I'd like to ask the Minister what...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the next couple years we have a total of 12 units coming into the Mackenzie Delta. In Aklavik, we have two duplex modular homes; Fort McPherson we have three duplex modular homes there as well; and in Tsiigehtchic, we have one duplex that we're still awaiting from last year. Mr. Speaker, that's great we're having 12 units coming into our riding, but the issue is that these are modular homes being shipped in. It's always been a practice within our riding through the Delta that we have stick-built in the communities. We have a 25-per-cent employment rate...

No.

Yes, thank you. Mr. Chair, at the time I recall it pretty clearly, because I saw on the renewable resource consult when it came up in the meeting. You know, at the time it was told to the people, as it's voluntary. It's just there to keep track of how much wood is being used. I know it's not a big deal to get the permit. It's just the actual process of making it mandatory. I think it should go back to the communities, just so people are more aware of it. Thanks.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 9, 2016, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Ms. Nitya Iyer be appointed as Equal Pay Commissioner in accordance with the Public Service Act by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories as recommended by the Legislative Assembly. And further that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of the appointment to the Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That brings me to my next question: during this update, the department said that they will be offering courses under the School of Community Government for training for councillors and also the future mayor. I'd just like to ask the Minister: when will these courses be offered in the community? I really look forward to that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a few questions for the Minister of MACA. This past spring, there was an update to the community, and I just wanted to check with the Minister to make sure that we are in fact on track as the update to the community was last given. I would like to ask the Minister: what is the status of the Hamlet of Fort McPherson? Are we in fact out of the deficit? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.