Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee would like to consider Tabled Document 143-18(2), Capital Estimates 2017-2018, and Tabled Document 163-18(2), Capital Estimates, 2017-2018 for the Department of Public Works and Services and Department of Transportation, and committee would like to consider the Department of Transportation today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Premier mentioned decentralization as part of the method of putting some employment outside the larger centres into the smaller centres. The Premier mentioned Phases 1, 2, and 3. I'd like to ask the Premier if there's anything beyond that in the area of decentralization?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too have questions for the Premier. We will develop and implement a strategy to increase employment in small communities as part of our mandate in the 18th Assembly. I'd like to ask the Premier: what has the government done to date to increase employment in small communities? I'm specifically talking about the last year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to continue talking about the distribution of employment across the NWT. Canada’s employment rate is just under 62 per cent. The Yukon, at around 74 per cent, being the jurisdiction with the highest employment rate. The NWT is second at just over 70 per cent.

Mr. Speaker, we look great from a national perspective, however our employment rate is below 50 per cent in over 65 per cent of our small communities. It is good that larger centres have such high employment rates. It’s good for their families, their communities and the NWT. However, the low...

I thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am satisfied with those responses. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, on the Capital Asset Retrofit Program, I'd like to ask the Minister if the plan is to retrofit all GNWT owned buildings? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad we've gone that road. The government may actually be having some difficulties filling some jobs in the small communities due to lack of infrastructure. Has the government looked at those jobs that have remained vacant for longer periods of time and considered perhaps re-profiling those jobs to somebody else in the community that may have a different set of skills but could also be helpful to the community in all kinds of areas? One example might be alcohol and drug counselling. Thank you.

The Premier almost answered all my questions but that's okay. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Premier if he could have a discussion with the departments to create other jobs in small communities that are outside the public service using government dollars, whether they're projects or O and M programs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these activities are needed to sustain the economy in the small communities. Without them, our small community people cannot afford to eat. There are many families with NO food. Mr. Speaker, that is heartbreaking. Marci cho.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.