Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know I’ve been focusing on the water rates, but it’s also affecting the sport and recreation. So I’d like to ask the Minister, will the Minister direct his department to implement a five- to 10-year payback plan on the deficit and not a two- to three-year? Thank you.

Thank you. Is there a limit to the deficit a municipality can incur before the department steps in? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize Bruce Noksana, one of my friends I believe who now lives in Tuk. Welcome to the House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The extremely high cost of municipal services in Fort McPherson is ridiculous, Mr. Speaker. Over the past few years, the Hamlet of Fort McPherson incurred a deficit of over $2 million. The hamlet council took this expense upon itself to better the community services, only to be pulled deeper into debt. The cost of municipal services dramatically increased. The average cost of water, septic and garbage services in March 2014 was $150 per household. Come April of 2014, the cost went through the roof and now Fort McPherson homeowners are paying, on average, $425 every...

Is the Minister willing to direct his department to work with the hamlet to reduce municipal service rates to levels that can work for everyone? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs in follow-up to my Member’s statement. How long has the Minister been aware of the situation in Fort McPherson? Thank you.

Is there a way the department can work with the community to lower the municipal services bills so that the residents can gradually adjust to the increase? The department and the hamlet should consider a five- to 10-year payback to the deficit, not try to recover it in one day and on the backs of community members.

There has to be a common goal of both the department and for my constituents. They are not happy paying such high prices to the hamlet. They are going into arrears and are given warnings that services may be discontinued, and some people have been refused water delivery.

Aside from...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, have many concerns about junior kindergarten. I know the communities I represent have signed up to take this on in the fall.

This year was the first year of a pilot project and Tsiigehtchic was one of the communities that did the pilot project. Because there are only two students enrolled, it wasn’t as challenging and they did receive $40,000 to help with the pilot project, which the communities won’t be getting next year. That’s the concern. That’s the issue here.

The communities need extra funding to help implement this, whether it’s for materials they need to...

Many of those elders and people that do live out on the land do not sell what they make out there. A lot of them share it with their families or barter with other people for other goods.

Will the Minister overlook the policy and help my constituents rebuild their camps on the land?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of ITI in follow-up to my Member’s statement. Last year, in 2013, we had a major flood in the Mackenzie Delta from the Peel River and there were about 20 cabins that were flooded, some by two or three feet. There were actually three cabins that drifted away down the Peel River.

I’d like to ask the Minister, out of roughly 20 claims filed, why was there only one claim approved?