As a government, we’re always looking for ways to train local people for local work, and if we have individuals who are in the system who would be appropriate for succession planning purposes, we often look at those individuals. But in some situations, I mean, it is frustrating, and I understand the Member’s frustration. If there is a statutory requirement for a job, when you need that in order to have a licence to perform the duties articulated within the job description, that can be a barrier, which is why we have to look at other alternatives such as this pilot project that we’re talking...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct; there are a significant number of vacancies in the Sahtu and we recognize that it’s a problem and we’re working closely with the Sahtu Health and Social Services Authority to find ways to fill these positions. There are active recruitments on a number of positions, and in some cases until we can find somebody on a more permanent basis, we have been filling some of them with casuals, but that doesn’t change the need to find permanent staff.

There’s a number of reasons that we may be having difficulties. Some individuals, some of those positions...

It would be impossible for me to give a hard and fast date. As the Member knows, we have a pretty thorough capital planning process, and for us to bring forward the project into the capital plan, we have to have a very, very thorough analysis articulated clearly, all O and M costs so that we can make decisions together as a Legislature.

I already mentioned the work that we’re doing in the department with our consultant, who is clearly going to be moving forward and doing the analysis needed to build that super strong business case that will allow us to move forward with this particular project...

The Cabinet has regularly spoken about our current fiscal situation and the fiscal realities facing both the government of today and the government tomorrow.

In the Premier’s statement earlier today, he said this increase to our borrowing limit gives the Government of the Northwest Territories increased flexibility to invest in much needed infrastructure that will support the responsible development of the Northwest Territories economy to bring down the cost of living for communities and residents. We’ve also been incredibly clear that this money is not intended to be used for operations or...

I’ll pass that message along to the chair of the Sahtu Health and Social Services Authority and have him strongly encourage the CEO to meet with the individuals the Member is referring to.

I hear the Member, and that is exactly the type of thing that is being done with this new pilot study, looking at new ways to involve communities and find alternate ways to provide services in communities and looking at local solutions.

I have also had an opportunity to travel around the Northwest Territories and talk to leadership, and every time I meet with leadership, I talk about the vacancies that we’re seeing across the Northwest Territories, and I ask them to work with us to encourage youth to pursue some of these professions.

As a note, some of these professions do have statutory...

As I indicated, in 2007 there was an analysis done of the foster rates provided to all communities in the Northwest Territories and there was a number of criteria including cost of living, food costs, baby formula and operation of household equipment that were used to help determine that rate. That rate changed in almost community in the Northwest Territories. By way of example, Aklavik went from $35 to $43 a day, Deline went from $37 to $45 a day, Kakisa went from $24 to $34 a day. There were some communities that did not change. Unfortunately, Yellowknife was one of those communities that...

I indicated that the rates went up in 2007, and following up on a recommendation from committee, we’re doing another review of those rates. As I indicated, we’re working very closely with the Foster Family Coalition for the Northwest Territories on that review. As of today the rate of Yellowknife is still $24 an hour, but as I indicated, there’s also the age of child bonus that can be added on to that based on the age of the child. They will get a bonus of $4 a day for children between the ages of zero to five, $3 a day for six to 12, and $5 a day for 13 to 18. That’s on top of the $24.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents, entitled “NWT Patient Experience with Healthcare Services Report 2014” and “Measuring Success and Focusing on Results: NWT Health and Social Services System 2013-2014 Annual Report.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member is correct; the additional child amount is per day not per hour. As I indicated, in 2007 there was a review, and I’ve articulated the different criteria that were used to determine the rates that will be provided. Virtually every community in the Northwest Territories went up as a result of that review. Yellowknife was not one of them. There were three communities that did not change. Yellowknife is still at $24 a day.

As I indicated, we have taken the recommendation from committee and we are clearly looking at these rates that are provided and we are working very, very closely with...