Glen Abernethy

Thank you. I believe last year we got about 280, 281, 282, somewhere around there. So far this year we’ve hired 241. I’ll have an update of numbers for all Members tomorrow. It continues to move. We hope to hire as many as we can. We’d obviously like to see numbers similar to what we’ve had in the past, but as we’ve indicated, there are obviously some financial limitations and the department will be hiring as many students as they can both afford and that there’s work for.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m actually not aware of any specific jobs in the riding that the Member represents. I know that one summer student has been hired. The Premier has given the Ministers direction to hire as many students as can be afforded and as operational requirements allow. So we will be working to hire as many students as we can throughout the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Judicature Act to meet the requirements of the Agreement on Internal Trade in respect of enforcement of trade orders and amendments, the regulation-making authority to allow for the establishment of fees for persons who provide services to a court or to parties in the course of court process. The bill also makes a number of non-substantive amendments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Results Report 2011-2012 – 20/20: A Brilliant North, NWT Public Service Strategic Plan.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. I don’t know. I will talk to my ministerial colleagues. We will talk about opportunities that are out there, and the Premier has directed us to look at not just Yellowknife, but all communities in the Northwest Territories where jobs exist and to hire as many students as we can. So I’ll certainly bring your message forward to the Cabinet table. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to speak today about the successful negotiation of three new agreements with the bargaining units that represent our employees.

A contract has been negotiated and ratified with the Northwest Territories Medical Association, and collective agreements have been negotiated and ratified with the Union of Northern Workers and the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association. They are all four-year agreements, which provide our employees with predictable, stable terms of employment in a volatile economic environment. Four-year agreements also provide the GNWT with the...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Securities Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 5, Legal Aid Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill repeals and replaces the Legal Services Act and continues the Legal Services Board of the Northwest Territories as the Northwest Territories Legal Aid Commission. Transitional matters provided for in Schedule A of the Financial Administrative Act are consequently amended to refer to the commission. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, Public Works and Services does not actually maintain this asset, but we were asked by the Department of Health and Social Services to give them some information and some expertise given that the department does do this type of thing. The problem is, obviously, for any upgrades in that bathroom to meet code, they have significant codes that they have to meet for safety and public safety. That’s why the cost has ballooned up to $45,000.

I hear what the Member’s saying. I clearly hear what the Member’s saying, and I’m happy to work with the Minister responsible...