Kevin A. Menicoche

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Transferring, updating, downloading, dumping. Many verbs can be used to describe the fact that our government wants to save money and cut costs. This old practice of offloading is being used today by MACA in our regions. Offloading is when a government transfers responsibility for services to its regions and communities. In theory, Mr. Speaker, these transfers would be beneficial and welcome in all small and remote communities such as the ones I represent in Nahendeh. This transfer of services and responsibilities will not work if it is less, yes...

Okay, we're going to consider Committee Report 4-15(5).

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for that answer. This is something that the community wants and this is something that I’ll champion all the way. It’s not some whimsical airy project that just come out of nowhere and I would just like to remind Members that we always said we’ll bend over backwards for the will of the community and this is one of their wills, is to see the continuation of this building and Members want to say well, Kevin, you’ll get a better building. Yes, okay, let’s put $20 million on the books and I’ll be happy to go home to Simpson with a $20...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2006-2007, as well as Committee Report 4-15(5).

Okay, we're going to consider Committee Report 4-15(5).

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have been in contact with the Minister’s office to advise him that this fiscal year…and he’s absolutely right; the communities are happy with the formula, it’s just that because of the rising energy costs in the last six months, like, this formula probably took some time to work on, the six months that they took to work on this formula is just when the gas and fuel prices were rising, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister address this year’s shortfall this year as opposed to waiting until next fiscal year? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for that answer. This is something that the community wants and this is something that I’ll champion all the way. It’s not some whimsical airy project that just come out of nowhere and I would just like to remind Members that we always said we’ll bend over backwards for the will of the community and this is one of their wills, is to see the continuation of this building and Members want to say well, Kevin, you’ll get a better building. Yes, okay, let’s put $20 million on the books and I’ll be happy to go home to Simpson with a $20...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions are a follow-up as a result of my Member’s statement with regard to O and M and the Department of MACA. I’m sure that, well, perhaps the Minister can tell me, Mr. Speaker, if the department is aware of the gap that already exists in the new funding formula for transferring the responsibility of O and M to the communities. It really, really makes sense to everybody’s eyes, but using a three-year rolling average just doesn’t work, just because of the increase in energy costs. I’d just like to know if the Minister is aware of this, have the...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2006-2007, as well as Committee Report 4-15(5).

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have been in contact with the Minister’s office to advise him that this fiscal year…and he’s absolutely right; the communities are happy with the formula, it’s just that because of the rising energy costs in the last six months, like, this formula probably took some time to work on, the six months that they took to work on this formula is just when the gas and fuel prices were rising, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister address this year’s shortfall this year as opposed to waiting until next fiscal year? Thank you.