Michael McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, Members It is my pleasure this afternoon to present for your consideration the Department of Transportation’s main estimates for 2005-06. The department’s proposed budget for 2005-06 contains an operations and maintenance budget, excluding amortization, of $54 million. This is an increase of .8 percent over last year’s main estimates. The department’s proposed 2005-06 capital program is $51.4 million. This is an increase of 7.6 percent over last year’s main estimates. I would note that almost half of the capital program, $21.3 million, consists of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to share with my colleagues details of recent commitments by the federal government that will support community governments and their infrastructure needs. The signing of the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Agreement between our government and the federal government, along with announcements regarding the allocation of $5 billion in federal gas tax revenue funding under Canada’s new deal for cities and communities, are welcome news in the Northwest Territories.

The municipal rural infrastructure fund will provide an investment of $16...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to recognize two Pages from Fort Providence who were with us for the duration of this week, Murina Sabourin and Rebecca Landry. I want to thank them for coming over to help us out. Thank you.

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Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a couple of comments and maybe a quick question. I like the fact that the Apprenticeship Program has not been reduced. In fact, it’s been increased and I think that’s a good thing. The Social Work Program that was offered at Aurora College, I understand, was cancelled because there were only six applicants. I was wondering if any of these applicants were maybe given another opportunity to go to school somewhere else, even if it means south. There is a lack of social workers in the Northwest Territories. We have six people who want to be social workers I think we...

The NWT Housing Corporation should not be in business. I am also not in favour of the market housing initiatives, as I believe that local housing authorities do not have the manpower to take on additional duties. They spend too much time right now trying to extend the life of social housing units. I believe we could save money by replacing these old units and then there might be time to take on additional work.

There are some simple truths in government, Mr. Speaker. Too much administration costs take away from program delivery. Decisions made in the interest of the people, from the safety...

Let’s keep the new mandate simple so people can understand the programs and services that fall out of the mandate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As some of you know, in another life I had quite a bit to do with the provision of maintenance of housing in the Beaufort-Delta, so I am comfortable in providing my thoughts on what we need to do to provide public housing and affordable housing for those who can afford it.

As I see it, Mr. Speaker, the mandate of the NWT Housing Corporation is very simple: Make sure that there is an adequate amount of public housing for people who need it, and have programs and services available to make housing affordable to northerners. We have enough to do in the Northwest...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is correct; the interim measures agreements are in place until the land claims are settled or unless there is a requirement for an amendment. It would require agreement from all parties to make any changes, but where we are failing any requirements for change, the agreements are there until the negotiations are concluded. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is asking some very specific questions on this initiative. I will have to provide that detail and take it as notice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. It may, depending on the community. Each community has a different plan and, for the most part, the plans are different because of the specific and different needs of each community. The plan deals with the issues that are potentially there and would deal with them as required. So it really depends on the specifics. There is no general plan, as the Member has indicated. Thank you.