Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I brought with me my summer student, constituency assistant from Fort Simpson, Ms. Tiffany Pedersen. I would just like to recognize her today. Mahsi cho.

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Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say what a great pleasure it is to be in the House again for this Third Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly. Spring is with us once again, finally. This time of year there is always a kind of change in the North, time to put away some things and a time to gain new things. Perhaps one of the most important changes we see in our communities at this time of year is graduation. This is the time of year when students take what they have learned in the classroom out into the real world, when they begin in earnest to apply their new skills to improve...

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...

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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Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just a follow-up on the business plan cycle for the Minister responsible. I would also like to ask the Minister what commitments he will assure me that I can and will have active participation in the leading of the direction of our government in this business plan cycle, because I am given to understand that plans may already be under foot in terms of setting up the business plan for our July session. Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about the GNWT budgeting process. Mr. Speaker, since I was elected MLA, I have not seen regular Members have direct input into the government budgeting process. I was thinking to myself last night about the process and possible ways to better improve the system so that regular Members have their direct input. As a regular Member, I can see that we are the ones who have to answer to the people of our ridings. As things are now, to do that, I have to ask questions relating to the budget process and how the government plans to allocate the...

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...