Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I, too, would like to thank the committee for all the hard and extensive work as they went about the Electoral Boundaries Commission. I do want to say that we’re the ones that gave them instructions to look at 18 MLAs, 19 MLAs and/or 21 MLAs. I think it kind of limited them in how they could look at our territory and find the best arrangements for representation. They were kind of limited, so they came back with their recommendations and not all of them are popular. It really didn’t fix what we were looking for, which is equal and effective representation in...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I know the intention of this motion is to try to remove it from the politicians, but after extensive debate today and how emotional it was, not only for Members but for people out there in the public, the intent was to put it somewhere else and make a commission dictate how many MLAs we have. I think before that happens we have to have our discussion ourselves as to what’s the maximum. We have to set some parameters around it. We can’t just strike up some new board and then on top of that in the next election, as well, with the amendment.

So I’m not in favour...

Thank you very much. Upon reviewing the final report thoroughly, it was felt that if we moved electoral districts of the Kam Lake and Yellowknife South electoral district boundaries, it would realign some of the distribution in those districts. At the same time, this motion recognizes that we have a somewhat workable solution with maintaining 19 MLAs. I believe we moved some lines in the Inuvik district as well as the Hay River area. It’s workable and maintains our 19 MLAs for the Northwest Territories and is something I believe the majority of the people of the Northwest Territories would...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I will not be supporting this motion only because I think it’s premature. We never had the full debate on 18, 19 and 21 options before us. It’s too bad they didn’t bring it up earlier because it’s something we should consider should these three options fail. Just on that alone, I won’t be supporting it. I would certainly like to hear the full debate on 18, 19 and 21, the options before us. I respect the work that was done by the Electoral Boundaries Commission as well. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I think I heard clearly the many, many reasons to keep 19 and not to move on to 21, but I heard clearly, as well, I think Members want a recorded vote, so I’ll certainly ask the chair for that.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. As we progress along with the debate about the Electoral Boundaries Commission report, much has been said about the work done by the commission. Once again, I’d just like to reiterate they’ve done some really good work. They were out in the communities and regions and spoke to the people and heard them as well. They were also given instructions to provide 18, 19 or 21 MLA scenarios. With that, part of our process here this evening is to actually vote on the recommendations that we had discussed amongst ourselves about bringing forward the motion for 18 MLAs...

Mr. Speaker, then the Minister can probably clarify for me, because what I heard is that the Deh Cho Health and Social Services will have its own CEO. I’m hoping that position is the same as it was before, established in Fort Simpson to deliver health to the people of the Deh Cho from a local central body from Fort Simpson. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services about the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority. It has been pretty much out of commission since the springtime when members weren’t reappointed.

I would like to ask the Minister, what are the plans for restoring the board of governors at the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Once the Minister works with the public administrator in establishing dates, I’d certainly like to be informed. Should I be available, I would certainly like to attend those meetings as well. Thank you.

I did my fall tour and I spoke with the leadership and the people in my riding. There is only one thing worse than knowing, it’s not knowing. The people don’t know when they are going to get the board back, what the plans are for it. I think it’s important that the administrator does get out to the communities. It is also more important that the department also communicate their plans through public consultations.

The other important thing is that many rumours abound because of not knowing.

I would like to know from the Minister of Health and Social Services about the hiring of the CEO position...