Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi for that good news. I note the low employment in the community of Fort Providence, not to mention the number of Aurora College heavy equipment operators that have completed the program but are not given any opportunities for work in the field. My question to the Minister and a possible solution, their shortfalls in employment, unemployment: Is it possible to look into the benefits to providing training, employment program, and at the same time, providing the much-needed repairs?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I recall, during a briefing from the Department of Infrastructure recently, the Minister stated that the Highway No. 3 repair budget includes the Behchoko to Yellowknife stretch. We all know the ongoing problems with that stretch of the highway and the amount of resources, labour and financial, that is directed to that stretch of highway on a yearly basis.

My community recognizes the increase in delivery trucks to service the diamond mines, and there are many. Highway No. 3 is one of the busiest highways in the NWT. Highway No. 3 stretches from the junction of Highway No. 1...

That's very promising. I like that idea that we use as many northern contractors and northern labour as possible, especially if we can move forward on training programs. Many of these people that come out of heavy equipment operator programs, they are not hired by contractors because they lack experience. This type of work, and there's lots of work in the Northwest Territories highways, enables them to gain more experience on the highway systems operating equipment, flag persons, and whatnot. It's much needed. I realize that some contractors, northern contractors will need southern or other...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I alluded to the washboard situation on the stretch of highway from Junction No. 1 and 3 in my Member's statement. My question to the Infrastructure Minister related to that stretch is: Are there any immediate plans to repair that stretch of highway anytime soon? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this time to recognize a respected elderly couple on their 60th wedding anniversary. Huge congratulations and happy trails to Ted and Mary Rose Landry of Fort Providence.

Ted and Mary Rose Landry travelled by dog team with their family to get married in the Roman Catholic Church on December 27, 1960. At that time, they were living at Willowlake on the Horn Plateau with their children, alongside other families.

Ted Landry trapped, hunted, and fished for his family. It was a rich and fulfilling lifestyle where he provided the best food for his children and...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my constituency assistant for the Deh Cho and lives in Fort Providence, Karalyn Menicho, who is up in the gallery today. She is here for her constituency assistant's orientation. Karalyn states that she is very pleased with the support and the kindness from the Legislative Assembly staff during her time here. Karalyn is also expecting her second child in March. Colleagues, please help me extend a warm welcome to Karalyn while she's here. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. The NWT is the only jurisdiction in Canada that has an Official Languages Act that recognizes 11 official languages. I'll give the Minister of ECE the honour of naming them all at the appropriate time. The Official Languages Act recognizes that preserving and enhancing the use of official languages is a shared responsibility of the Legislative Assembly, the GNWT, and the NWT language communities. The Official Languages Act establishes three legislative bodies that play a role in protecting, revitalizing, and promoting Indigenous languages. The Minister responsible for the...

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I would like the residents of the Northwest Territories, especially the elderly and the sick, that I do care for their health and well-being. The issue here is: are we doing prudent spending on behalf of the people so that we can save dollars that can be used towards the small communities in terms of buying ventilation equipment, buying all of the necessary items that are required for PPE for all the COVID-related issues. With Alberta travellers coming into our territory, it's a big concern because we are on the highway system, my community. I have four communities on...

Mahsi to the Minister for that. I didn't hear of any positions going to the small communities. I recall a program in the GNWT that is to promote residents, or I believe only current employees, with an option to move up in the ranks. The program is the associate director program, where an employee can job shadow an existing director for two years to eventually take over as director. I believe it's in the event the director is planning on leaving the GNWT workforce. The program had real ambition as a succession planning success story. Can the Minister review the number of directors' positions in...

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. The geography of the Northwest Territories is made up of the different representative land areas of First Nation, Metis, and Inuvialuit groups. This demographic representation should dictate how the Northwest Territories is governed, and for that matter, the workforce should be representative of the people the public service serves. My question to the Minister of Finance is: what commitment can the GNWT make to increase representation of the majority demographic of the Northwest Territories into the public service and, most notably, into senior management? Mahsi.