I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just trying to request the Minister to speak with the RCMP, of course with whom we have a contract, to get some kind of commitment that certainly they won’t staff that position now, but at least they won’t remove that position. We are going to grow and that’s going to happen soon in light of the pipeline and the activities that are associated with it. It’s certainly trying to pick up speed. We are looking at filing the application this year, so a lot of things will start to happen. Lots of people will start passing through the communities and we will certainly...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Justice. Recently it was brought to my attention that the RCMP detachment in Fort Simpson is considering a reduction in staff. This is a huge concern to me and my constituents. Here we have a riding, my riding, that is poised for economic growth and, of course, the negative affects that come with it. Of course, the Fort Simpson detachment services four satellite communities of Nahanni Butte, Jean Marie, Trout Lake and Wrigley. I would just like to know if the Minister is aware of the RCMP in this regard in reducing the staff of...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I certainly would have liked to take the time to read out the names of every one of these students, but the list is too long. They all have done very well and are all deserving of individual recognition. That being said, that is a good thing, Mr. Speaker. Still I have no doubt that in the future we will see even more people from the Nahendeh riding improving their lives and their communities through education. I am confident that when I stand in the House next spring to recognize our graduates, the number of students having successfully completed their studies will...

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight has reviewed Bill 6, An Act to Amend Payroll Tax Act, 1993 and the Income Tax Act, and wishes to report that Bill 6 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted, and, Mr Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 70(5) and have Bill 6 ordered into Committee of the Whole for tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak on this motion. I would just like to make mention to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation that I am supportive of the endeavour of the provision of the modular unit that is laid out in the tender contract and brought before us on one or two occasions. However, I will support this motion because the people and the businesses I represent are confused. If we are going to have a policy, let’s have a policy. Yes, the BIP costs our goods and services a bit more, but it does contribute and strengthen our economy, especially in the...

Mr. Speaker, throughout discussing the budget here for the past two weeks the biggest concern, of course, is how do we as regular Members help our government in the exercise of reducing $20 million in each of the next two years. My recent experience kind of concerns me as how much input will we really have. Can the Minister again explain to me how we can have input into reducing the size of our expenditures in order to match our revenue?

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. I will direct this question to the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat. With reference to my Member’s statement and budgeting cycle, while the government might be a government function, can the Minister explain to me what role as a regular Member do I have in terms in influencing the budget for the benefits of my constituents and my riding in the near future?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for that response. I just want to get some assurances that before the July session that I don’t want to be in the position where I am given a binder, and that there is nothing I can do about it no matter how much I kick and scream. So I am just looking for direct input into that process, and I would just like to get the assurance of the Minister again that yes, indeed, I am a part of this government, and that I will and can have input into our budget as it concerns me for the remainder of my term. Thank you very much.

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