Kevin A. Menicoche

Mr. Chairman, no further questions at this time. Thank you very much.

Mr. Chairman, I’d like to thank the Minister for that response because that’s the type of thing that I’m particularly interested in. It’s just with respect to if we’re going to identify a priority region, which is happening in this case, in particular with the pipeline training in the oil and gas sector. It’s being impacted in the Deh Cho and I’d like to see at least some future direction, some future concentration of our training, particularly in the trades like welding and carpentry, given thought of in our region. I don’t know if it’s in the particular plans of the department right now, but...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for those answers. I am sure we, as a government, are indeed looking out for our small businesses. The next question is when someone is utilizing our credit facilities, like the BCC or the NWT Development Corporation, they are, of course, not thinking that they will get into trouble or find themselves in situations where they are unable to pay any loans. I'm just wondering if there's any type of counselling available or advice given to the clients beforehand that if you are in trouble, these are the steps that are going to take place and this is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to my Member’s statement, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Business Credit Corporation a question for the benefit of my constituents who received legal notices that their loans have been called. What steps are followed after being given these notices that the BCC is calling in their loans? I am interested in the process that is followed after being legally contacted. Thank you.

That is fine. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. With reference to the opening remarks from the Minister, he talks about the $371,000 increase to salaries and benefits, yet towards the end of his opening remarks he talks about reduction of seven staff positions. I have trouble understanding the large reduction of seven staff and yet we can still have an increase to salaries and benefits. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Will this figure be used for the next four years annually, $14 million taxation revenues and school revenues? I am just wondering if we will be using that figure for the next four years.

Thank you very much for that explanation. I take it it’s other transfers or other grants that other departments receive that don’t actually show up in the Department of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the social workers who have been working in my riding of Nahendeh. I know that they're working very hard. Just on behalf of myself and the people I represent, I would just like to say thank you very much for the work that they're doing. Mahsi cho.

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Thank you. I would just like to say that in my mind, Mr. Chair, it just doesn’t seem right that that reduction of seven staff members would still lead to an increase of our compensation and benefits. For the question involved here, maybe the Minister can further clarify what he meant that even though we have reduced staff we are still paying more in compensation and benefits.