Kevin A. Menicoche

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 very much, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

I’m glad that he did raise those issues. I’m just wondering if there’s any timing for the Minister paying a visit to the Northwest Territories.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week Mr. Premier had an opportunity to meet with the new federal Minister Bernard Valcourt. I’d just like to ask the Premier a couple of questions. Firstly, I thought it was important to continue the momentum of NWT Days, especially with the new Minister of Northern Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Can I ask the Premier what topics were discussed at his meeting?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Electoral Boundaries Commission is touring the Northwest Territories to hear feedback on its proposals to change the number of MLAs in this Assembly and who they represent. I fear that most people do not know how important this is. It goes to the core of how NWT residents are represented and whether consensus government can work.

I have carefully reviewed the proposed electoral boundaries and they are very troubling. All would increase the very powerful influence on our government to an unacceptable level. It is so obvious that Yellowknife is already represented...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 9-17(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2013-14, and we’d like to consider Justice, Executive, Aboriginal and Intergovernmental Relations, Finance and the Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

I’m glad that he raised those issues. I’m just wondering, I think one of the particular files in the Northwest Territories, of course, is working with the Dehcho First Nations. I wonder if the Premier had the opportunity to raise that file as well.

The final proposal for 19 ridings is similarly flawed and so is the one for 21 ridings. The latter actually includes nine ridings with constituents living in Yellowknife. That is beyond belief. I cannot support more MLAs for the capital, let alone two more.

In short, each proposal of the Electoral Boundaries Commission is a recipe for disaster. Adopting any one of them will compromise, not improve, representation of NWT residents. Adopting any one of them will erode or even destroy our consensus system. Until boundaries are proposed that are actually improved representation, I cannot support...