Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I’m going to have to check Hansard, but what’s not in the capital budget the last five years is the Trout Lake stand-alone school, so I’ll continue to press that matter. Earlier today in the House, or yesterday, I believe there was a commitment towards the planning studies. So, certainly the community looks forward to it and working with government to find a resolution to a stand-alone school without giving up the need for a community centre, which is valuable for the community of Trout Lake.

Also, I see in the budget there’s two level B, or level B/C health...

I’m kind of saddened to hear the short-sightedness of that response here. But I believe our government can do better for our small communities and look at a solution for the interim to help reduce those prices in the communities because it is just so shameful. They are sitting there while the rest of the world’s gas prices, and heating fuel for that matter, that effects cost of living and poverty in our small communities.

I’d like this government and Mr. Premier to seriously consider the effects of gasoline and heating fuel prices in the small communities for this coming year. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about how gasoline prices are, on average, being reduced across Canada. I am well aware that Public Works and Services runs our fuel delivery program. However, in general, I’d like to ask the Premier of the NWT some questions regarding this.

More specifically, I would like to ask the Premier, how can he address this inequity where fixed gasoline prices are in our small communities and will remain there until next year when the fuel is delivered this winter but prices will be fixed.

How can our government be involved to address the needs in the...

Thank you very much. I know those are technical details that the Minister of Public Works and Services can certainly answer, but I’m asking, I know that the Stabilization Fund was used already and I’d like to ask Mr. Premier when can this government review that and also review a further reduction using this Stabilization Fund for this coming year, given that gasoline prices will continue to decline at this quarter. Mahsi.

Well, gasoline prices in Yellowknife are a whole different matter, and I challenge the leadership of Yellowknife to address that with those companies that keep them there. But in the small communities, it’s the government that keeps the prices there. So I’d like to ask the Premier again, will he consider the special exceptional circumstances of world prices declining and people benefiting from it?

How can this government affect change in the small communities, so that communities like Nahanni Butte aren’t paying $1.79 for the rest of the year, Tsiigehtchic paying $2.01 per litre for gasoline...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to hear about moving forward and towards getting a new stand-alone school into the capital projects.

I’d just like to know about the planning study, one that came up, back in Trout Lake and to involve the community and even the whole community, because the community is a close-knit community and they all like to make decisions together. Thank you.

It certainly addresses the short-term need for the schooling situation in Trout Lake. However, the chief, council and residents are afraid of losing their community hall space. They use that same facility six days a week to do their mental health and wellness training when in the community.

I would like to know the long-term plan. Will the Minister move towards a stand-alone school for the community of Trout Lake? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to welcome Mr. Ken Stewart of Fort Simpson to the gallery. It’s great to see you in the gallery, and hopefully you enjoyed the Members’ statements and Ministers’ statements. Thank you very much. Mahsi.

Something was missed and they weren’t aware of the type and extent of the renovations and I think there’s even an addition. The chief and council weren’t informed. I’m not too sure why, but when I informed them that renovations were being done, they were saying we saw some people over there making assessments and that kind of stuff.

The Minister also spoke about a planning study. Is this part and parcel? Was there a team in there to look at the renovations and a separate team actually doing the planning study? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in the House I was speaking about the need for the community of Trout Lake and the growing student population about working towards getting a new stand-alone school. The plan now is to renovate the existing community hall.

I would like to ask the Minister exactly what renovations are being planned to the facility in Trout Lake. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.