Tom Beaulieu

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about supporting our local contractors when it comes to dealing with contaminated soil issues in our smaller communities such as Lutselk'e and Fort Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, in these smaller communities we have local businesses and contractors that are providing a service to the community and in doing so they are also doing their part to contribute to the employment and the economy within their respective communities. However, Mr. Speaker, from time to time, for whatever reason, local contractors are excluded or lose out on local contracting...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I have very few words to say about this motion. I represent the people of Tu Nedhe and the people of Tu Nedhe do have mixed feelings on what has occurred and what this Legislative Assembly should have done. I have given the people of Tu Nedhe opportunity to speak to me on the matter, and over the last year I have taken 12 trips into two of the communities that I do represent.

The majority of the people in Tu Nedhe didn’t care to discuss this or had not given me the opportunity or taken the opportunity to discuss the conflict of interest inquiry with me. A few people...

Speaking specifically about decentralization, would the Premier commit to having discussions with the departments, through the Ministers, of course, to discuss, examine and develop some sort of strategy for transferring GNWT positions into the smaller communities? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I spoke about the need to look at placing some GNWT positions into smaller communities to address the employment rates in these communities. I have questions for the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I understand a committee was formed in either the 13th or the 14th Assembly to look at decentralization. Can the Premier tell me what the mandate of that committee was and if there was any final report from that committee?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Premier commit to giving direction to departments through the Minister to take a serious look at what functions can be delegated to the smaller communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Premier tell me if this government has a strategy to close the employment rate gap that exists between larger communities and smaller communities? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, today I’ll use my Member’s statement to talk about the decentralization of territorial government positions to smaller communities such as Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, the majority of the GNWT positions are staffed here in Yellowknife and the decentralization and delegation of authorities is something we need to look at. We should do so within the regime of this government, the 16th Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I recommend that this government start the process of negotiating a transfer of positions to the smaller...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I spoke of the reconstruction of Highway No. 6. I have questions for the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, how much money is being spent on Highway No. 6 for the reconstruction over which period? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to have the Minister do any speculation, but with the assumption that money will be found to complete Highway No. 6, how long does it normally take to complete the reconstruction of approximately 65 kilometres of highway 100 percent to a chipseal state? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, what should they -- Fort Resolution and people coming into the community on a highway -- see at the end of the reconstruction of Highway No. 6? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.