Kevin A. Menicoche

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. Is the Minister’s approach to a discrepancy between how much a community spends and how much a community will receive through this complex funding formula, will that be addressed this year or is that something that the communities can discuss and raise with the Minister soon, because it will impact their current year’s budget, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. That’s something that kind of weighed a lot on the community decision as it went along. They’re like myself and anything that government does, why does it cost so much even a simple estimate for office space? As we discussed earlier in the day, it’s like $320,000. I’m not too sure why it is, but in the construction field the cost of labour and materials are just astronomical. A new project such as this, we’re looking at $3 million. If Members of this side of the House had the power to get the government to spend money, I would certainly champion the motion to...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that in accordance with the Rule 6(2) that we extend sitting hours to conclude the item under consideration.

Yes, okay. Our government commits $50 million towards a $50 million input from the federal government and I’m not too sure how come we’re fronting the money for O and M if it’s part of the three-year strategy. How are we benefiting from the proposed cost sharing from the feds then, Madam Chair?

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just with this particular line item on $957,000. The government indicates it’s part of their Affordable Housing Strategy. The concern on this one is that, is it what we, will there be new money allocated towards the O and M for the next three years or does this money come from the $50 million part of the fund that’s been discussed from the federal government? Just how does that impact? I know that the $50 million from the federal government with our $50 million is a $100 million strategy. So does that necessarily mean, Madam Chair, that new money from our...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 8, 2006, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the following individuals be appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to the Human Rights Commission of the Northwest Territories effective July 1, 2006: Ms. Rita Mueller of the hamlet of Behchoko for a term of four years; and, Ms. Tammy Rogers of the town of Inuvik for a term of two years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak on our justice system and offer one suggestion as to why our jailhouses are full. We have all heard the phrase: “If you do the hard time, you will do the tough time.” In Nahendeh, there is another phrase: “If you do petty crime, you will do a long time.”

Mr. Speaker, what I am referring to is the growing number of constituents who are expressing their concern that they are being advised to plead guilty or accept sentencing conditions without adequate legal advice or other proceedings. I have constituents who are being advised...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. My comments and questions are also with the continuation of the operation of the Deh Cho Hall. I just want to advise my honourable colleagues that this is not a new project, nor is it something that came out of the blue. It’s something that myself as MLA for Nahendeh and Fort Simpson that I’ve been working with the people on, on how to address the office needs. In 2002, when the fire marshal came out with his report, he’s saying that in 2006 the building is going to have to be shut down or renovated. Everybody said that’s great, let’s just renovate this...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I know that the Housing Corporation has been having lots of problems delivering programs to the regions. I know that this is one of the ways that they want to address it. I know they have been asking for positions time and time again and there is just no support for it then. But now that the federal government is contributing some $50 million and we have a chance to get housing on the move beginning immediately, I am going to vote against this motion.

Often when I am travelling to the regions and communities and talking about their frustrations about getting their...