Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think I will generally respond to all of the opening comments from the Members, but I will answer the question from Mr. Bromley first. The only change that we’re looking for in the provision where a Minister may direct appoint a person to a position, to any position, is the person would now be affected by layoff, potentially affected by layoff, as opposed to what we’re… Pardon me. Right now in the act, the individual has to be actually laid off and discontinue service. Then I would be in the position to direct appoint that person to any position. What we’re...

We’re not equipped to make changes to the Public Service Act as a whole. These amendments are not contemplated here today. This legislative proposal does not contemplate those amendments. They are in the current Public Service Act.

We agree that there should be a review of the Public Service Act. We have indicated that a review of the Public Service Act would take about two years.

These are amendments within the Public Service Act that we’re looking at and we consider to be minor amendments to streamline, simplify and improve the process for employees. It is all of the other things that need to...

Mr. Chair, I do.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The responsibility for navigable waters and dredging and so on in any of the waters is the responsibility of the federal government. However, we have invited NTCL, the main carrier that goes from Hay River up the Mackenzie along the Arctic Coast to participate in our multi-modal Transportation Strategy.

As far as the docks go, we used to receive money for docks. We don’t receive that anymore. We do put some money into docks through our Community Access Program and help some small communities with docks.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With me today is the deputy minister of the Department of Transportation, Mr. Russell Neudorf.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we head into this year’s heating season, I would like to take this opportunity to update Members on the energy conservation work that the Department of Public Works and Services has been doing.

As Members know, with our northern environment, energy conservation and management are important elements in controlling costs and supporting effective and efficient program delivery in all communities of the Northwest Territories. Our government’s investments in energy efficiency and alternative energy solutions are reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, lowering our...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The money would be carried over to the next year.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I do.

Mahsi cho. We have supported the road recently and we, at one time, had requested infrastructure stimulus funding through the federal government. Unfortunately, that was denied. We recognize that the community needs that road. It’s got huge benefits to the community as it would ultimately run to a gravel source. The full cost of that road to make it accessible for hauling would be $90 million. It’s fairly substantial. So we recognize that we may have to go outside of just a simple Access Roads Program in order to continue to fund this and produce that road in a decent time.

So, as I indicated...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a couple of Tu Nedhe residents here with us today. They are here for the Cultural and Heritage Awards from the Minister. Rene Fumoleau was awarded the Individual award. He’s from Lutselk’e. Representing the Deninu K’ue First Nation with the Minister’s Choice Award is my cousin Stanley Beck. Thank you.