Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am just trying to get a concept of whether we should get our bonus revenue because it is tax time and that we get an extra $20 million. What guarantee do we have that it is put into the cash surplus and not spent before it gets to the House?

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I am wondering overall, budget wise, I am new to this process and I am wondering if you could shed a little bit of light on why the budget was at $960 million when we came to the 15th Assembly, and why there wasn’t a lead up to kind of striving to balance our budget, instead of the predicament that we find ourselves in, which is fine, because I believe it is manageable because I like to look on the bright side too. If the Minister can give me a little bit of history of why the budget was at $960 million without the forced growth issues. It seems that we had planned...

Thank you very much. Just to follow up on that, I believe it should almost be standard these days, because we are experiencing quite a few difficulties, particularly with our health centre in Fort Simpson which affects all the outlying communities. I would just like to ask the Minister if he's willing to consider beefing up the cross-cultural training that I do believe the health care and frontline workers need to serve in the smaller communities. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is always a pleasure to see somebody from my riding up in the gallery, and I would just like to recognize Mr. John McKee; as well, Liza McPherson, Ron Hardisty, and Bernice Swanson. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to cross-cultural training. I am aware that years ago it used to be the practice that we gave our new employees cross-cultural training. In this particular instance, I am referencing Fort Simpson and the health and social services workers. I'm just wondering if there is a requirement or do we have a program that allows them to have cross-cultural training as they get hired into our government to work in the smaller communities.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today there are a lot of things that have to be addressed through government. (Translation ends)

…cross-cultural training especially in the areas of health, social services, education, culture and employment. My constituents of Nahendeh have addressed this topic to me on numerous occasions, and each has a story to tell as to why they have concluded that a program such as this should be implemented. They have asked me to question the GNWT as to why there are no such programs currently in place, and enquire whether the GNWT will implement the cross...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question for the Minister of Justice.

Recently, on Saturday March 13, 2004, a young, mentally-challenged woman from my riding, from the Willow Lake River, was missing for over 24 hours and the RCMP were notified but did not respond for a search. I just want to ask the Minister responsible to see if there is a satisfactory answer by the RCMP in responding to a search for this young woman in Willow Lake River. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to recognize my CA that came down from Fort Simpson, Eliza Jane Lafferty. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today I’d like to send a message to the elders and youth of my riding. I’d also like to mention… (Translation ends)

Today, I would like to take time to reflect on time and change. Sometimes you wonder where time has gone, it can pass by so quickly. With time comes change. When people come and go, things change along the way and these changes can either be joyful or sad.

Since the Second Session of the Legislative Assembly, there have been a few changes within my riding of Nahendeh. Not only were there a few new constituents born, but also a few who passed...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be directed to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. I am well aware that the needs survey is going to be tabled with us here today. However, I was getting some feedback from residents in Fort Liard that there was going to be no new allocations, there will be no new mortgage clients this year for 2004. I am wondering how these needs are assessed and want to know if the Minister can comment on that for me.