Michael Nadli

I think the Minister reminded me of the significance of the Auditor General’s report, in terms of program service delivery of his department in terms of meeting the needs of people.

Once again, can the Minister outline and explain to this House the immediate steps in terms of improving that service to clients? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, I must return to an unpleasant topic which has already received considerable air play in this House this year. That topic is the rude treatment of income assistance clients from government officers who administer the program.

The March 2013 Auditor General’s report contained shocking confirmation of service delivery failures. We heard Education, Culture and Employment is inconsistent in its treatment of clients. We heard that front-line workers don’t receive enough guidance or training. Income assistance officers were also found to be overburdened with...

Thank you. The Minister indicated that he’s taking measures in terms of ensuring that workers received competency-based training and at the same time ensuring that the people are treated with a little respect in terms of receiving department services.

What is the priority at this point? Is it ensuring that the employees receive competency-based training or client satisfaction? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke on how people receive income assistance on the reserve. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Can the Minister provide assurance that he will personally look into the treatment of clients at the Hay River Reserve by the income assistance officer? Mahsi.

Thank you. It’s encouraging that the government continues to at least build upon the relationship agreement with the Community Opportunities Funds and the Community Involvement Agreement.

How could the Minister of the Department of Transportation perhaps help out the community by, maybe, discussions with the community to help enhance the strategic location of Fort Providence as a major highway and marine centre and not just simply a drop-by community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to congratulate my colleague across the floor, Minister Tom Beaulieu, for taking on the big portfolio for Transportation.

My question is: Can the Minister provide an update on the relationship of the GNWT with the community of Fort Providence since the bridge has been in operation for about a year? Mahsi.

Thank you. I’d like to once again thank the Minister for his response. It seems there’s a positive spirit to maintain the working relationship with the community. One of the opportunities that the community faces, of course, is building upon the tourism opportunities.

Would the Minister agree that the GNWT Department of Transportation would continue its obligation to maintain the winter road access of the ferry crossing? Mahsi.

I’d like to thank the Minister for that answer. Can the Minister, other than the $200,000 annually that the community receives, clearly explain to the community – I’m sure they’re listening at this point – their obligations other than the funding to the community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Fort Providence is a community geographically situated in the centre of the Deh Cho and the Northwest Territories, with the Deh Cho Bridge, our major highway north and south of Yellowknife, now we have cellular communications and, of course, it is also the first community of many communities along the Deh Cho.

The community has a tradition of boat captains and operators. Their knowledge of the river helps navigate boats up and down the Mackenzie. At the same time we have the present team of highway operators that make the maintenance camp for the highway and the Deh Cho...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Premier about decentralization. First I just wanted to highlight the NWT. Of course, we have one major city here in the NWT. We have about five or seven regional centres and the rest are communities. Right now devolution has been regarded as the biggest achievement thus far. We’re seeing some discussion in terms of devolution, so there has been a lot of heavy lifting. At the same time, we are burdened with heavy responsibilities. I’m going to ask the questions, but I don’t know if I should expect a shuffle or a dance, but I will try.

Of the 90...