Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today on the issue of recreation and recreational facilities, specifically in the community of Nahanni Butte. It is a well-known fact that a good, comprehensive education requires not only academic or vocational instruction, but recreational opportunities as well. More than that, the provision of recreational opportunities is a necessary part of helping people make healthy lifestyle choices. I am pleased to see that the government recognizes this fact. In the 2004 strategic plan, which the Minister of Education earlier referred to...

I move we report progress.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I was just looking for some assurance of what systems are in place so the public will have confidence in our system that we are not providing grants and contributions to organizations that haven’t had proper accounting for prior years’ contributions. It happened, of course, in this case. I’m just wondering what mechanisms are in place and, indeed, if there was a deficiency, will they be addressing it with some new type of guidelines? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight reviewed Bill 9, Write-off of Assets and Debts Act, 2004-2005, at its meetings of August 24, 2004, and October 12, 2004. This bill will write off $576,096.10 in assets and debts owed the Government of the Northwest Territories, its agencies and boards.

The committee would like to thank the Minister and his officials for presenting this bill. The bill authorizes the write-off of debts in accordance with sections 24 and 82 of the Financial Administration Act which requires legislative approval to write off debts of...

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Will the Minister provide me with a list of communities that do not have a gymnasium? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of that, will the Minister also look at helping people on a fixed income at increasing their requests for fuel subsidy for this winter as the cost of living promises to be even harsher in this particular year?

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to follow up on the honourable Member for Great Slave Member’s statement with regard to income support. Part of the current public debate over health care in this country is the provision of homecare services to the sick and elderly. There is widespread agreement that homecare services are a necessary part of a health care plan. It is my understanding that plans are being made that are considered to increase the amount of money available for homecare services. In light of that, I wonder why we in the Northwest Territories are not following suit. In fact, Mr...

Mr. Speaker, I find it quite outrageous that the Minister would reference how many students are in that school when communities of even smaller sizes do have school gymnasiums. I would like to ask the Minister if he is willing to undertake a feasibility or engineering study to at least cost out this project. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. I was going to follow up with some questions to the Minister of MACA with regard to my Member’s statement. MACA officials and the Minister met with the community of Nahanni Butte. The community had indicated that this particular item is a high priority for them. It is my thinking that a community’s priority is our priority. Can the Minister confirm that the government still has no plans to provide the residents of Nahanni Butte with a gymnasium until the year 2017?

We wish to consider the Sessional Statement, Madam Chair.