Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, rise in support of the motion that’s before us to be deliberated. I have given it great thought about the actions that occurred yesterday and Mr. Miltenberger is a great colleague and has done many, many years of service for us here and done well this term. However, it’s always the principles as Members that are key and the ability to speak freely and not be threatened. It may have been done in a moment of haste and quickly; however, the act was done, Mr. Speaker. That cannot be tolerated because it is also a reflection upon me and my values if I continue to...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I noticed that in the last couple of weeks the Dene Nation did provide a couple rallies there, Mr. Speaker. I was wondering if there's any territorial strategy by our government to protest these cuts, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I won't reference the letter anymore, Mr. Speaker. I guess the whole point is, has the Minister of Community Affairs taken the time to look at the impacts and come up with a detailed presentation to the communities of what impacts there were? I guess that's the confusion, Mr. Speaker. Some of them are known quite quickly, like the volunteerism which lost I think it was $190,000. But has the ministry assessed other areas of impacts to the communities, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to address the limited availability of housing in Fort Liard. Many of our 27 small communities experience these problems. Fort Liard’s situation is critical and requires immediate attention by this government. Time after time I have stood before this House and requested action to address the housing crisis in Fort Liard, Mr. Speaker, and very little has been done. For the past two years there has been only two houses built there and no one is living in them because of deficiency issues. This year alone we have five scheduled homes. These are...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table a letter from the Mackenzie Recreation Association with respect to the federal funding cuts.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed unfortunate that the federal government didn't see fit that the small, little programs that affect people's everyday lives was worthy to go on their chopping block. It's mostly a federal responsibility, but is our government, is our ministry looking at an action plan maybe of paying for some of these costs in the short term in the event that there's no replacement funds from the federal government? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs some questions on the funding cuts that are impacting the North. Some of them, of course, are for volunteerism and recreation association. I just got a letter here from Fort Simpson. I believe the Minister may have a copy of that same letter. But they're dismayed about the cuts and how it's making an impact on them. I'm just wondering if the department, Mr. Speaker, is looking at the significance of the impact to the programs that they deliver. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I, too, observed the proceedings of yesterday and I was very gravely disturbed that the rights of another Member may be even threatened, or even perceived to be threatened, Mr. Speaker, and that's one of the foundations that I find of having the honour and privilege of working in our great Legislature, is that we're free to say and do what we can on behalf of all our constituents, and especially giving up our public life for those that we love and those that share their love with us, Mr. Speaker. They're giving up a lot for us to be up here doing what we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know further from the Minister, I think the Department of Public Works is taking on more and more of a workload because it’s getting very expensive out in the marketplace and their workers are being pressed to be out in the communities more and more servicing equipment. So will the Minister look at extending this program to his department and look at extending it throughout the government to train our northern workers in this gap, Mr. Speaker?