Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased to see the signing of the devolution deal today. I know that over time we’ve always said as our government moves forward that we’ll have more money for our government, but I just want to speak about the things that we do today about flying to the smaller communities. We’re still having lots of different departments, for example, a community like Trout Lake will have three airplanes come in to the community, and we’ve spoken many times in this Assembly about coordinating those visits, even, indeed, with the federal government. It’s about...

Thank you, Madam Chair, I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I just want to recognize all the Members on this side of the House that work so diligently to make an impact on this budget, and I also thank our Cabinet colleagues who were able to achieve what we feel is an improvement to our NWT budget for the benefit of all our constituents in the Northwest Territories. We look forward to working with the government as they implement the budget over the next year.

The old application process was easy. Everybody could just grab an application and mail it in, and that sufficed for us here in the North. That’s the issue, because it’s very expensive to travel to Fort Simpson from my outlying communities, so if you could convey that as well. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to ask Mr. Premier some questions that have been arising in the media lately about the application process for social insurance numbers, and it was raised in the Nunavut Legislature just recently as well. Apparently they had made a change that you can only apply in person at service centre offices. This would make a big impact on my constituency where we have only one service office in Fort Simpson.

I’d like to ask the Premier if he’s aware of this communication from the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like this Assembly to make a decision that will save lives. I know the good Ministers of Health and Municipal and Community Affairs are listening closely and I would really appreciate their support on this. Fort Liard needs an ambulance. To support that service, an agreement is also needed between the health systems in NWT and British Columbia to ensure emergency service is available in Fort Nelson for our residents. There are many good reasons to provide this service and to train staff to deliver it, but one key stands out above the rest.

A year and a...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 9-17(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2013-2014, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 9-17(4) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee resume consideration of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, activity, department summary, at page 12-17.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’m pleased to hear the Minister of Finance’s remarks on this subject and the budget. Members from this side of the House worked really hard as a team to…

I’m glad to see the Premier is well read. I guess the issue is that they have to apply in person. Can the Premier contact our federal counterparts and say this will have an impact in the Northwest Territories, especially for our fly-in communities, of which I have about two, and in the Nahendeh riding where we only have one public service office there? Thank you.