Statements in Debates
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to thank the Minister for clarifying that. Just in terms of long-term, I just wanted to come to an understanding: what is the plan of the Department of Justice in terms of working to ensure that this probation officer working on the K’atlodeeche Reserve in the future plans in terms of long-term; whether indeed a fully staffed person could be resident from the reserve and for the reserve? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question relates to the proposed initiative in terms of improvements to the probation office security tenant improvement on the Hay River Reserve. I'm just trying to get an understanding in terms of the timeline of the work that could be completed. I just wanted to see if the Minister could clarify that indeed the project is slated for completion in 2018 and perhaps the Minister could provide some details in terms of the scope of the renovations that could take place on the leased area. Mahsi.
The Minister had stated that the old piece of legislation is from the 1950s. I think then, you know, fire alarms along telephone poles were kind of the usual practice then. Then most recently what we have been confronted with is the question of liabilities, at the same time hazardous materials in fire situations. Is the department proposing any initiatives designed to support communities and their volunteer fire departments?
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Under the GNWT's mandate, MACA has a responsibility to update the Fire Prevention Act to better protect public and private property from fire. Can the Minister advise the House on the progress of this work? What changes to the act has been considered? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think I have an understanding with $400,000, in terms of its limited capacity, to try to make improvements on a minor scale to communities that could probably receive the junior kindergarten initiative. Has the Minister contemplated the requirement for further needs in terms of further resources that they could commit in terms of ensuring that JK is properly implemented at the community level, for all communities? Mahsi.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, small business is imperative to the Northern economy. Mr. Speaker, this is Business Development Week and across Canada people are highlighting the contribution that businesses make to our country. Mr. Speaker, independent businesses enhance our community's character, quality and the value of services available to residents.
The government distributed a total of $21.5 million in grants and contributions in 2014-2015, almost 20 per cent of that funding went to business and manufacturing support and 17 per cent to business support agencies.
Mr. Speaker, even our...
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that's the point that I'm making is that, you know, we have a period where we have a large influx of people that start using the campgrounds, and especially once the campground in Fort Providence opens sometime in mid-May, having a large influx, and I don't know how perhaps the Minister would contemplate just the construction schedule or the work to be completed in terms of the expansion of the 20 sites and whether those things will be considered? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, the other question that I have is that, see as an example Fort Providence Territorial Park construction of the 20 additional sites. I'm just trying to understand the work that will be required if that's going to be stuff that of course the department would contemplate in terms of its procurement initiative and whether ultimately those would be going out for RFP. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to make some comments in terms of the capital estimates for 2017-2018. The process that we saw -- this has been my fifth year in terms of at least being a witness of having the departments and the committee work together in terms of the budget process regarding the capital estimates. We're proposing to commit $331 million estimated in spending for communities throughout the NWT. Now, one thing that I wanted to express is just a concern of the process that we experience, and it's left me to say that I know it's a bit presumptuous to act as if we have already...
From start to successful stage in terms of deriving profit from perhaps a business venture, what are we doing to help small businesses become self-sustaining? Mahsi.