Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a couple of comments under the energy conservation. One thing I would like to see in each region is similar to what is happening in the Tlicho region. They’ve hired an energy coordinator to work within the communities to help the residents there to realize how much savings can be made with little things, whether it’s unplugging appliances, different ways to conserve energy. I hope that can continue in every region in the Northwest Territories.

Under the Business Support Program, I was hoping this funding could continue. Last year, it was $200,000, but this year it’s...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just under the Beaufort-Delta indeterminate part-time positions, over the next couple of months we’re going to have a facility in Tsiigehtchic. I was going to ask the Minister if he could make that a full-time position. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, how many jobs are expected on the Inuvik-Tuk Highway and what is the target for hiring from the Beaufort-Delta communities and also this territory? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I strongly believe in order for this government to be successful, we need to plan. I’d like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, what is the training plan for the Beaufort-Delta communities to prepare them for the Inuvik-Tuk Highway Project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the former Member for Mackenzie Delta Mr. Krutko, also Danny Gaudet and the two chiefs from the Sahtu. Welcome.

It’s very interesting they charter a plane to Tsiigehtchic when we have no airstrip. Can the Minister describe the benefits of having a permanent police detachment in those communities lucky enough to have them?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been reviewing the budget presented last week by the Finance Minister, and I am very happy about what is in the budget, but I do have some problems about what is not in the budget.

One of the main goals we set at the start of this Assembly was sustainable, vibrant and safe communities. Yet, once again, this budget leaves some small communities with poor basic services.

The situation is even more critical during freeze-up and breakup periods when the road traffic is interrupted. Over the years the community has suffered and it seems we are telling the people just go...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just reflecting on what I said last year, I was very concerned that they weren’t putting money into our economy. That’s something I am very concerned with. Although we are doing well here in the southern part of our territory, up in the northern part, the Mackenzie Delta, we are struggling. There isn’t very much for economic projects up there right now. I am very glad we are putting some funds forward to meet our priorities; for example, the fibre optic link. As I mentioned last time, we did put money towards the Inuvik-Tuk highway and I’m glad to see that in the budget...

Will the Minister meet with the community leaders in Tsiigehtchic to discuss putting in a police detachment there?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member’s statement earlier today, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice. I would like to ask the Minister how long is the RCMP’s response time to complaints in Tsiigehtchic compared to Fort McPherson.