Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to return to item 6, please? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this report is in front of us. Our department will certainly look at it with the Cabinet and will be highlighting the key areas where there needs to be some renovations happening here and there. The major project, if that needs to take place, we will certainly look at that, as well. At this time, I cannot make a commitment to say we will move forward with this. We need to identify our priorities with the colleagues, as well, priorities for the 16th Assembly. Which capital projects should we pursue? At that time, we are open for discussion and moving...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the Member is right about the evaluation report that has been conducted in the community of Hay River. Based on the technical report, it is estimated that it will cost approximately $22 million plus in, of course, July 2006 dollars at that time, to upgrade the facility. But at the same time, this does not take into account the relocation of the students and also the alternate location while the work is being done. Of course, there will be additional costs here. But, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to highlight that as we move forward in the 16th Assembly, we will...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are aware that there’s national events that are happening with regards to the taser gun. But with our jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories, we’re quite small and quite low with the incidents to that matter. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will be reviewing the document that will be produced and the consultation with the Members around the table, and then proceed forward because we have to consider also priorities and planning, the strategic plan for the next four years. So we have to take that into consideration, as well. So we will be reviewing the document that will be presented to us and then at that time we will have a clear direction. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I appreciate the Minister’s question in this area because it is a growing concern in the communities. We are serving 33 communities and there is currently a review that is taking place at this time. We have initiated community consultation with the regional representatives, LHOs at the community level, and right now they’re touring the South Slave area the 26th and 27th of this month. So that will wrap up our discussion with the communities and the committee will be meeting early in December and discuss those issues and concerns and come out with a...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member’s persistence in this specific area. With respect to Sachs Harbour, the existing detachment that we are currently working on needs to be replaced, but the plan is to have a fully operational detachment by the spring of 2008. That’s what I can provide to the Member at this time. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, this initiative and the review process all fits in with the policies and planning that we are currently discussing. That document will be produced and this will be part of the ongoing discussion as a priority for the 16th Assembly. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the point is clearly taken that those could be part of the priorities and planning. The document will be introduced by this Assembly and that could be a part of the ongoing discussions with the second priorities for the communities. I’m looking forward to that and working with the colleagues, as well. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the art portfolio is with Education, Culture and Employment. It is across the board in the Northwest Territories. NACC is one of the jurisdictions that we do sponsor. But there are reviews currently underway. That information will be available when it is completed. Mahsi.