Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, and Bill 9, Municipal Statutes Amendment Act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this case, it appears there is a wrong here, and the wrong is that our protocol wasn’t followed, Mr. Speaker. In fact, I think our policies dictate that it’s Cabinet that determines to authorize negotiations. In this case, it’s apparent that regional staff or administration decided who gets the contract and who doesn’t. I don’t think our government should be able to do that. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister who authorized the sole source negotiations on this file? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister is absolutely correct and that is what the government chose to do. They went directly to one owner, one building in the community when there is another business that offers office space. What happens is you have two providers for the service and our procurement policy, Mr. Speaker, is we offer the opportunity to everybody for goods and services that we need. In this case, it didn’t happen, and I would like to ask the Minister why.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Residents of the NWT recognize some committees, boards and councils require considerable expertise and experience in this field. However, even these groups must have representation from the average residents from all of the regions. The responsibilities and functions of these groups are trusted to them by the Legislative Assembly, the GNWT; the government of the people. These responsibilities affect all of us and have deep implications. Therefore, all regions of the NWT must have adequate representation and not what is convenient, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to address an issue important to Nahendeh and other regions in the Northwest Territories: adequate regional representation. Yellowknife and Hay River seem to have consideration based on representation and attention on many issues. Their size and accessibility to administration gives them a considerable advantage over policies and implementation. This policy must address these inequalities and implement the policies of our previous governments to have balanced regional representation.

Reviewing the NWT Public Committees, Boards and Councils...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I was just wondering, is it not our duty to the public as well as the traveling public, and I would like to know if the Minister is looking at a continuation of our services for the ferry in Nahendeh. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The workers that are on strike were only asking for a fair wage for the work that they do, Mr. Speaker. Is our government in any position to offer any arbitration in this matter?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today our Premier and all our Ministers spoke about energy. I commend our government in recognizing and addressing this huge impact of rising energy costs. We have yet to hear exactly how government will be addressing the real needs of our people, Mr. Speaker, people like granny from Nahanni. She wants to know how her fixed income will combat unprecedented rising heating and gasoline prices. She wants to know why, Mr. Speaker, she has to pay 10 times the national average for her power bill.

We do not need programs like a Beverage Container Recovery Program to add to her...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to know what this government is going to do in terms of getting the ferry service back up and running, Mr. Speaker. We have got at least three weeks or at least another month worth of sailing time, as it were, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Transportation, with regard to the ferry service strike in Nahendeh. Despite the federal ruling against the ferry service being listed as essential services, the residents of Fort Simpson and Wrigley do consider it a life line to the rest of the world. On behalf of my constituents, I would like to know what position the government is taking with respect to the strike there, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.