Kevin A. Menicoche

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. My question is for the Minister of Justice. Given that the total complement of RCMP officers in the NWT was increased in April of this year, and given that the total complement of RCMP officers at the Fort Simpson detachment was decreased at the same time, can the Minister of Justice determine why there has been such a significant relative decrease in the need for police services in the Nahendeh riding? I’ll just rephrase that. Can the Minister of Justice determine why there has been such a significant decrease for the need of police services in the Nahendeh...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Legislative Assembly that the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight has reviewed Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act; Bill 9, Write-off of Assets and Debts Act, 2004-2005; and, Bill 10, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2004-2005, and wishes to report that bills 8 and 9 are ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole and Bill 10 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Justice. In my riding in the community of Fort Simpson, it was brought to my attention that the court worker position has not been filled for quite some time and what they typically would do is they would bring in another member from a community like Hay River. Recently, they haven’t even been doing that, so my question to the Minister of Justice is when will they be looking at filling the court worker position in Fort Simpson to address the justice needs of Fort Simpson?

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Politically, too, the First Nations do want to have recognition for using the lands that they have lived on since time immemorial. I will strive to be supportive of these efforts.

In closing, I would once again like to applaud this government for taking the time to visit the communities in my riding, especially the smaller communities. There’s no doubt in my mind that community visits such as these on a regular basis are a valuable exercise in effecting good representative government in the North. I will most certainly be extending more invitations to the...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. I would like to begin by saying what a great pleasure it is to be here in the Legislature again. Since this House last sat, it has been a busy time in my riding of Nahendeh. During the course of the summer, I had the opportunity to visit all the communities in my riding. On two different occasions, it was my honour to be accompanied in the communities by various Ministers of the government: Minister Bell, Minister Krutko, Minister McLeod and Minister Miltenberger. I would like to thank each of the Ministers for taking the time to come to my riding to...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Minister's Statement 48-15(3) be moved into Committee of the Whole.

Madam Chair, we wish to discuss it further during tomorrow’s Committee of the Whole. We would like to report progress, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. I have a written question addressed to the Honourable David Krutko.

My question is for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation:

What is the appeal process for potential and existing clients?

Is this appeal process independent of the Housing Corporation?

Will the Minister provide any legislation to improve the appeal process if it is not working?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to have with me today in the gallery my three children, Keone, Diedra, and Candace. I would also like to recognize two former residents of Fort Simpson: Terry and Anita Villeneuve. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.