Kevin A. Menicoche

I think we were supposed to set up some sort of mechanism to monitor it, but on a larger question, as well, Mr. Speaker, in all our communities I think one of the largest retailers is Northern Stores. Have they been engaged in the cost reduction of electricity? Will they pass the savings on to the consumers? Has the government been working with Northern Stores in that regard? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. This budget and past budgets have been concentrating on super projects like the Deh Cho Bridge and super schools like the one in Inuvik. I believe it is time to start concentrating on the needs of our small and remote communities, Mr. Speaker. They have infrastructure needs of which I’ve been speaking for some time, like a new school in Trout Lake and reviewing the need for a new school in Nahanni Butte, increased funding for health and wellness program dollars for the smaller communities. As well, as I travelled, there were two other important issues that...

Yes, constituents have approached me with regard to the pricing at the Northern Stores. They feel it’s quite high, but here we’ve got opportunities because their O and M will be going down. Just once again, has the Minister dealt recently with the management of Northern Stores? I saw them, in fact, in a coordinated ad with NCPC that they will pass the savings on to the consumers. At what point, and how can we gauge that, and how can we support that, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The budget does mention the reorganization of the NTPC and reducing our electrical rates for household and commercial. Mr. Speaker, I’m really pleased to see that. Minister Bob McLeod and I went to Nahanni Butte, and it was kind of confusing because the store there actually raised the prices of the food and here in our committee system when we were talking with the Energy Coordinating Committee, we were supposed to put a process in place, Mr. Speaker, to kind of watch businesses, because it was supposed to lower the cost of living in our communities, Mr...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. If Northern Stores is that engaged, is there a way to make that public? Because I was actually in Wrigley and just with the power rates alone, I visited a couple, I showed them where the savings were, and they were quite pleased that it was visible, that there certainly is saving in their own power bill. But just in terms of Northern Stores, is there something we do just to show the public that the cost-savings can be applied to the retailers and to our public as well, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. From my point of view and the point of view of my communities is that they do want to see the agreement-in-principle devolution team in the communities explaining it to them, sitting at the table. I would once again ask the Premier to include that in the communication strategy, even if they’re going to deal with the regional governments anyway. I believe they must also go to the communities. Can the Premier and his team do that?

I’d like to thank the Premier for that explanation. I believe that people in my riding have been asking me for more explanation for the AIP. I’m not government. I’m not there to explain what Cabinet has done in moving forward with the AIP. They’re asking for a communication strategy. I’ve heard it in the House here earlier on. What exactly is the communication strategy and will it include our government going to the communities and explaining this agreement-in-principle?

Mr. Speaker... [Translation] I am pleased to be able to talk to you today on things that are very important to my region. We have to work with all the people that are coming after us, so we have to talk seriously and consider our devolution seriously. I will be switching back to South Slavey. [Translation ends]

…resources to the GNWT are of great importance for my constituents in my riding of Nahendeh. Much can be said and there are many topic areas. However, the leadership in the communities of the Dehcho First Nations have great concern because of the uncertainty of how it will affect the...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act. I wish to report that Bill 17 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

When I travel to my communities, people are happy to see me in their homes. They don’t like writing. They don’t like e-mails. They prefer sitting down with me eye to eye, discussing the issues that are important to them. This is the same approach they’re taking for something significant as the AIP and devolution for the Northwest Territories. They do want to see the Premier and/or someone from our government in the communities explaining and going through the agreement-in-principle so that they can understand it. Will the Premier commit to including visiting all the communities in that...