Statements in Debates
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Is that threshold limit applicable to all the programs that are there? Is that the same program available for CARE as it is in HELP? Is that the same income threshold?
That’s the absolute crux of the issues in many of the small communities. The affordability window is just so small and the income threshold, I believe, has to be reviewed. Is the department or is government going to look at reviewing the threshold this coming winter?
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to address my question to the Minister of MACA with regard to community preparedness.
I was recently in Nahanni Butte, and I had a couple of constituents ask about their firebreak. It hasn’t been worked on for some time. I’d just like to ask the Minister: does that program still exist?
Thank you very much. I think it sounds like the Minister took that question on notice there, Mr. Speaker. But just some of the further questions I’d be interested in are: what is the process to access this program; is there still funding available for this year, and if there is, can we access it as soon as we can?
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Today I would like to express some concerns of my constituency about fair justice.
Mr. Speaker, we all know, unfortunately, that some of our young people get in trouble with the law. Some of those young people are first time offenders and fearful of the system. One of the biggest issues with encountering a new life situation, like trouble with the justice system, is that there may not be a clear understanding of the consequences of their behaviour.
Even though these young people may genuinely regret their actions and are...
Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; Bill 16, Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009; and Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009. I wish to report that Bills 14, 16 and 17 are now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
I’m sure glad that we’re going to take care of the long term need, but the needs that people can knock on my door and my office are for today.
I’d like to know if the Minister can look at doing some type of travel assistance to get these inspectors out to the communities, because their home insurance policies have now expired. It’s just not fair for them to individually pay $1,400 when government’s here and they can make some travel assistance to the inspectors, Mr. Speaker. Can the government look at that?
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to follow up on my Member’s statement in regard to inspections of wood stoves and pellet stoves in our smaller communities.
I know that in larger centres like Yellowknife and perhaps even Inuvik they’ve got access to certified inspectors. I’d just like to know the government’s position in getting inspectors out to the smaller communities. There’s certainly assistance needed for this important matter. Mahsi.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I, too, was looking for a commitment from the Minister. And the commitment would be just that if in the short term, in the immediate short term — October, November — they can look at getting an inspector out to the regions and communities.
I’m glad to hear that the Minister is responsive to the needs of the communities. As I said in my Member’s statement, on one hand, we’re encouraging the use of wood stoves and wood pellet stoves and alternative fuel energy, and on the other hand, we’re not making it easy by providing inspectors. People are actually at a great risk level, because there are no inspectors for their homes and they need insurance. House insurance is important for many, many different factors, Mr. Speaker.
Once again, it will fall under MACA, so I’d like the Minister to really have a good look at this. Can the...