Michael Nadli

What measures does the department have in place in the worst-case scenario that the tap of water is actually shut off for the communities receiving trucked water for Kakisa, Enterprise and the Hay River Reserve?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This month it is our task to approve the Government of the Northwest Territories’ 2014-15 Infrastructure Acquisition Plan. By now Members have all reviewed the plan and discussed how it meets our communities’ needs. Our wishes will always exceed what fits into the budget, but our government still needs to focus on our small communities, especially in the Deh Cho.

Enterprise and Kakisa need local water treatment plants. There is no reason that in a jurisdiction with such an abundance of high-quality fresh water, that these communities must rely on trucked services from...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Overall, I think I understand how this budget came to be, and as we are king of being reminded by the Minister, when we started the 17th Assembly, we had an overview of the fiscal framework and how it’s going to work over the next four years. So I have an understanding in terms of how things are being laid out as we invest in the infrastructure. Perhaps sometimes this is aging while at the same time there are real needs in terms of communities. It’s vitally important and paramount that they receive the services that all Canadians enjoy across Canada.

I would like to say...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Before moving into a motion, I think it’s been said that perhaps we need to understand this process of ensuring that we scrutinize the government and keep them accountable in terms of how funding is dispersed and policies are maintained, and the integrity of the institutions that we uphold on behalf of the public is something that our voters expect us to maintain. Therefore, an exercise that we had to endure today is a procedure that has been mandated to this committee. It has been a fairly monotonous task that needs to go forth.

I’d like to thank my colleague Mr. Hawkins for initiating this motion. I understand that down the road the government will be receiving a portion of the $70 million or so. Initial thoughts were that it should be invested perhaps in infrastructure, Heritage Fund or debt repayment. The question should be: Should we invest more in the public sector or less in the private sector? This is an opportunity for the public to have a say in terms of how resource revenues should be decided. Therefore, I support the principle of this motion. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Front-line staff do not receive sufficient training

Income security programs and the ECE strategic plan require the department to train staff to fulfill their duties. CSOs must complete a two-week course to receive their statutory designation, with authority to assess client eligibility, evaluate their financial needs and issue payments. The CSOs had completed the course, but the department does not have an ongoing training and development program for CSOs. Student financial assistance case officers, for their part, receive a binder, but no formal training. The department...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the Report of the Auditor General of Canada on the 2013 Northwest Territories Income Security Programs and commends it to this House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Second to none, Fort Providence is home to the biggest horseflies in the Northwest Territories. They are nasty, vicious biters which cut through the skin to feed on blood. Swarms of mosquitoes and sandflies also leave itchy bites and cause some people to suffer allergic reactions. These bugs are attracted to movement, bright colours and carbon dioxide in our breath.

The Government of the Northwest Territories leaves it up to municipalities and hungry birds, fish and frogs to work out their own abatement programs. In the interests of health, tourism and our economy, we...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment undertake a complete evaluation of the productive choice component of the Income Assistance program as a priority, that the evaluation involve the community leadership and residents, and the department provide options for change in their productive choices component of Income Assistance to the Standing Committee on Social Programs within the life of the 17th Assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.