Kevin A. Menicoche

I am really pleased to see the work that the government is doing with the review of the electricity rates and, if the Minister can confirm it, we’re also looking at the commercial power rates as well. We know about the cost of living pressures and we want to prevent this type of situation that’s happening. Will the Minister tell us if the commercial rates will also be reviewed fully under this review? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement, with regard to the NWT Power Corporation, with the Minister in the specific case of the grocery store in Fort Simpson that failed. Can the Minister do a post-mortem on that whole situation and provide some recommendations that this cannot happen to another business? Just to work backwards, Mr. Speaker, I think it would be a good thing to look backwards to ensure those types of businesses don’t get into those same types of arrears situations with the NWT Power Corporation. Thank you.

Like I said, any time we lose a business it’s a sad thing for any community, big or small. If the NWT Power Corporation does a post-mortem on the situation, because it was ongoing for awhile, if they look back and assess the situation, they can learn from it and it’s something that can be a positive thing to share with the community or any other businesses that might be experiencing the same type of pressure and extra costs with power, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

[English translation not provided.]

Last week I received an e-mail indicating that a gas station and convenience grocery store in Fort Simpson is closing. This business has been in operation for a long time and is a local landmark. It provides a service to Fort Simpson residents that will be missed.

The business employed eight to 10 people and that is a lot of jobs to lose in a relatively small community. The business is closing because the owners cannot pay off their debts to the NWT Power Corporation. Since September 1st they have paid back $50,000 but still owe more. With the large payments...

I move that this committee strongly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories take immediate steps to expedite the transfer of the administration of the Public Housing Rental Subsidy back to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation;

And further, that quarterly progress reports on the status of the transfer be provided to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure and that progress reports include a human resource component identifying how affected employees will be managed and deployed;

And furthermore, that the transfer be fully implemented no later...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Along with my colleague, I, too, rise to recognize Education Week. I’d like to speak about the contribution and dedication of the teachers in small and remote communities in Nahendeh and other communities throughout the Northwest Territories.

In comments about Education Week, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment stated that education is a collective responsibility, and rightly so. Parents, volunteers, the community, the media, education authorities, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and many others contribute to the success of our students...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On Thursday, February 11, 2010, the Standing Committee on Government Operations tabled its report 5-16(4)...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m ahead of myself here, Mr. Chair. Thank you very much for recognizing me. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. If I can get the Minister to continue with his commitment that he update Regular Members on this side of the House. I don’t want to get into a situation where we’re micromanaging government projects, be it the Deh Cho Bridge or anything like that, but the residents are concerned and I’m concerned, colleagues are concerned. So will the Minister continue with his commitment that he will update this side of the House on a regular basis and try to make the information as public as possible that we can share with our constituents? Thank you.

A complete toll system is something that constituents raised. There are, of course, good examples throughout Canada in other jurisdictions like B.C., the Coquihalla Highway, and in eastern Canada, that as you drive you pay your toll, you actually see the repairs happening, you see the bridge, the public infrastructure being built, so you don’t mind paying that extra cost. I really think that the Minister of Transportation should seriously look at this idea that, yes, you know, we are going to need some extra revenue to cover off these costs. I’m telling you, our taxpayers don’t want to be...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to voice my opinion on the Deh Cho Bridge. On Monday of this week I had the opportunity to speak to Fort Simpson constituents about the Deh Cho Bridge issues. This was forefront on their minds, as I’m sure with many Northerners. I advise that myself, I am in general support of moving forward with the construction. Opinions were very much split whether we should continue with the bridge or not. People against the bridge are very concerned that as taxpayers they will pay the increased costs of the bridge whether they agree to it or not...