Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to go back to something I raised in February in this House and that is the need for the runway lights in Jean Marie River and Nahanni Butte. In my recent tour to these communities, I found that concerns on this matter are growing. For the most part, these communities are reached by air, and the lack of runway lights diminishes the safety for air travel for residents. Lack of runway lights can also make it difficult for essential services, such as emergency medevac, to travel to Jean Marie and Nahanni Butte at night or during inclement...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories table a comprehensive response to the Government Operations committee’s Final Report on the Review of the Official Languages Act 2008-2009 within 120 days of its presentation in this House. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I believe I have provided my general comments. We’re still on general comments, Mr. Chair, so I’ll just free up the mic for any other general comments from Committee of the Whole members. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I am really pleased that we have this huge opportunity with our government to revisit some of the capital investment expenditures for 2009-10 and some of the investments from the federal government dollars.

I just wanted to continue to reiterate some of the transportation concerns from the Nahendeh region. Something that I have been trying to get on the books, at least the long-term capital plan were several…(inaudible)…that is going to be addressed, one of them, of course, is the Trout Lake relocation. And we can see that it is under discussion here.

As well...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess what I’m after again is the worst-case scenario. A community loses an opportunity for a bid and it appears that the southern contractor will come in with their own sources and their own resources and not leave any benefits behind. That is what I would like our government to look at and see if anything can be done with that regard. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to raise the issue with the Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, there’s a disturbing trend that’s happening in the Northwest Territories with regard to contracting and I believe that the time to raise the issue is now. What’s happening there, Mr. Speaker, is that we’re getting a lot of southern bidders, they’re coming in with low bids. Mr. Premier mentioned in his sessional statement that it’s an opportunity for government to save money but at the same time the missed opportunity for our local businesses and local employment. I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is it possible to write those in the…I think that we do bid offers or request for proposal. Is it possible to advertise it in those requests for proposals and/or bids to let it be known to all the bidders out there that proximity communities and their businesses and their workers should be a priority? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am well aware of the BIP program, but I think the concern is that should our northern companies and local companies lose those bids, they are at risk of laying off local people and at risk of having a negative effect on our community. What I am asking, Mr. Speaker, is how can we protect our local workforce? If a southern bidder gets it, and opportunity to save money for government is fine, but can we ensure that our local businesses and people get employment and opportunities? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, the residents of Fort Simpson are concerned because with the closure of the old Deh Cho Hall, the John Tsetso Memorial Library is gone. Over the years, with one full-time staff member, the community library has been a place to browse, to pick up reading material for youth and adults. As well, the library has offered literacy programs and various activities including movie night, opportunities for adults to purchase books, to read to children, readings by visiting authors and access to computers and Internet.

I would also...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, March 12, 2009, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that notwithstanding Motion 1-16(2), the Standing Committee on Government Operations shall table a final report on its review of the Official Languages Act during the May/June 2009 sitting of the Legislative Assembly;

And further, that the Standing Committee on Government Operations be authorized to share its findings and recommendations with language groups and affected stakeholders in advance of their presentation in...