Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Madam Chair. Finally, I get to speak, Members.

---Laughter

Just reflecting upon Bill 14 that is before us maintaining the status quo and rebalancing, I have given it lots of thought and a lot of the recommendations that the commission reports, I am not convinced that they gave it more thought than just to write what they did. Basically, for me, when I look at the numbers, if I don’t look at the recommendations but I look at the numbers, the numbers do not say that we need extra seats. That is the way I see it. Unfortunately, the numbers do not say that we need extra seats....

So I like to get back to the report itself. It is an…(inaudible)…report. Don’t be surprised what our House does and doesn’t want to do. Just like for the first time we heard a nay in the House the other day. It’s not shocking to say no to a committee report. Assemblies, not only ours but throughout the world, do it all the time. They commission these huge reports and they don’t accept the recommendations. They do it all the time. It’s not that there is anything new here. We are not reinventing the wheel when we are presenting Bill 14, basically the status quo with a realignment.

I know that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me a great honour to recognize my sister Elizabeth Hardisty in the gallery today. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Committee would like to consider Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006, and Bill 10, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2006-2007.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just in terms of market housing, there was a commitment made by our government to provide a duplex for October delivery in Fort Liard. Is that still underway for the community of Fort Liard, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today my question is with respect…will be directed to the honourable Premier. Yesterday I spoke about housing issues in the Nahendeh riding, particularly Fort Liard where this particular fall season, when the teachers came they actually had nowhere to go. It just speaks to some of the things that we did hear, too, Mr. Speaker, in our pre-budget consultations; particularly not so much housing for staff, but staff housing. How do we address that? Is the government looking at it and what kind of program would they have for that, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to table a letter from the Dehcho Divisional Education Council with regard to housing issues in the Deh Cho. Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I think I addressed it in writing; I think the government did say that we're not in the business of providing housing for staff, and I can see that there may be some difficulties if they have to provide housing for all staff. But I think one of the ways that other jurisdictions, particularly like B.C., got around it, Mr. Speaker, is they provided temporary housing for staff accommodations. Is that something this government is prepared to look at, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided) Mr. Speaker, last week, the Government of the Northwest Territories gave out service awards in recognition of long-term employment. I correct myself; I believe that was a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Speaker. They gave out service awards in recognition of long-term employment with the various organizations and ministries. These contributions throughout the Territories from large and small communities enhance our communities to make them safer and healthier.

I am proud to have two 35-year long-term service employees from the Nahendeh; Ms. Diane...