Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m happy to have another student from Bompas Elementary join us here today and it’s my very own stepdaughter, Ms. Brittany Jewel Kendo. Welcome to the gallery. I just want to say she has been training hard to attend the track and field meet in Hay River as well. So, good luck with that.

I am pleased to hear that. Would that include some dust control as well? Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions. Once again it’s about Highway No. 7. We did a tour in December. I’d like to ask the Minister about completing the chipseal work that’s been long overdue from kilometre zero to kilometre 20. When will that be completed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I wanted to honour Mr. Ron McCagg who passed away suddenly last week in Fort Simpson. He became a big part of Fort Simpson when he began living there. Not only did he serve on the village council for over two decades, Ron worked for the GNWT for 38 years, including 30 years in Fort Simpson. Last year he retired as a superintendent of Public Works and Services and looked forward to the next phase of his life.

Since his sudden passing, many friends and colleagues have spoken out to remember him with great respect and love, describing him as a gentleman, a straight...

Can the Minister provide a timeline for completing this policy? In other words, will it be done before this Assembly is concluded by our September sitting? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

The funding of private infrastructure policy is certainly being worked on, but before I get to that, the government, right from the start the Early Childhood Framework aimed to enhance the quality of children’s programs and services. In a document on the department’s website, I noted that a review was underway to examine program funding and governance.

Can the Minister indicate whether the review is addressing the matter of daycare infrastructure and whether any funding will be earmarked for the purpose of enhancing daycare facilities? Mahsi cho.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. The Kids Corner Daycare in Fort Simpson is raising money for the construction of a brand new facility. A few months ago the Department of Education, Culture and Employment was approached for a $200,000 contribution. Minister Lafferty responded negatively and noted that his department does not typically fund infrastructure projects if they are linked to daycare.

I need help in understanding this statement. Early in the 17th Assembly a daycare facility in Inuvik received $1 million under the capital plan. If Inuvik was eligible then, why isn’t Fort Simpson eligible now?

In...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So, when we’re talking about the policy, is that something that will be done at the end of this Assembly or will have to make its way into the transition document for the next Assembly, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Can the Minister identify which of the GNWT departments are working on a policy to support the infrastructure needs of non-profit and private sector organizations? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I know in my Member’s statement I mentioned that the Kids Corner Daycare in Fort Simpson asked the Minister of Education for $200,000 towards a new daycare facility. In his rejection letter, he noted that his department doesn’t typically support infrastructure projects that are linked to daycare, yet a daycare facility in Inuvik received $1 million in the capital budget early in the 17th Assembly.

Can the Minister explain the rationale for his decision not to support the daycare project in Fort...