Kevin A. Menicoche

You can make the same argument to propose a merge of the Workers’ Compensation Board with the Power Corporation Board, but it just doesn’t fit. I’d like to ask again how they can make an assessment and think there’s a fit here.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. When the Minister was in my riding and we met with the Dehcho Health Board and the Dehcho Divisional Education Board he indicated that the Alberta government model was that they had merged boards as well. In that case they merged the health boards with health boards and education boards with education boards. And albeit too, it wasn’t very effective. I’d also like to ask, prior to this model were there any other models that the Minister or their committee had looked at before rolling out this package?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much, colleagues. Effective and efficient delivery of our public services is all that our people ask. I believe that our current system is effective. I also believe that the proposed changes will not provide improved services to our people. I am not in favour of the proposed Board Reform Initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much there, Mr. Speaker. I share my colleagues’ concerns and I, too, stand with them on this debate on the GNWT Board Reform Initiative. Effective and efficient is an expectation of our public and our people. The people are not convinced that this is what the Board Reform Initiative is about. There are still no clear and important reasons to make people understand why the changes should take place. I don’t think that people are afraid of change, Mr. Speaker, but they are afraid of not knowing; not knowing what these changes will bring.

Often in my experience with government...

I concur that at the beginning of this Assembly we all sat down and indicated that a review of the boards and agencies was important. But I still don’t understand how we can merge a health and social services board with an education board. To me and to people who work inside those organizations, it doesn’t make sense. I’d like to know the reasoning behind that decision to put forth this model.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to thank constituents from Nahendeh that may be in the crowd there. I don’t want to be remiss in not mentioning their effort in coming to the capital and, as well, making the effort to come out to the Legislature. Thank you very much. Mahsi.

Today I share my colleague’s concerns and I, too, will discuss the Board Reform Initiative. Also, welcome the many teachers, concerned citizens and youth in our gallery here today.

---Applause

The Ministers have proposed some very big changes. We would need to have some very clear and important reasons to understand why we should make those big changes. The Ministers have not yet been able to clearly explain to me what important and urgent problems they want to solve with these new regional services boards. In my riding of Nahendeh, the Dehcho Divisional Education Council is organized, efficient...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Like other Members are saying, the number one issue as an MLA and as I tour my communities and speak to residents, they are concerned about their housing needs and their ability to access programming. I think, indeed, I did mention earlier in the House that I believe the corporation staff is doing their job well. But I think the issue that is facing most of the constituents is not so much the staff as the guidelines and policies of the corporation that are excluding and making it difficult for people to access programming again. I know that many of my...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement and ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs about the plan to assist communities in acquiring highway rescue vehicles. What state is that and how much work has been done to date?

...(inaudible)...the village of Fort Simpson and the Fort Simpson Fire Department have told me that they need a highway rescue vehicle to respond to emergencies of travelers on highways. They need a highway rescue vehicle because it includes specialized equipment to cut and safely extract people from their vehicles after an accident. The closest vehicle with this type of lifesaving equipment is only 400 kilometres away in Hay River. We also need a highway rescue vehicle because now, when there is an emergency on the highway, the village is left without an ambulance sometimes for the greater...