Tom Beaulieu

Can the Minister provide me with some details on what’s planned, if anything, to assist residents of Tu Nedhe?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. With the rising cost of fuel across the NWT my constituents in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e are going to feel the crunch this winter. It is certainly even possible that many residents of Tu Nedhe who are under 60 years old and not eligible for the seniors’ fuel subsidy will not be able to heat their homes all winter and pay for their fuel bills.

Certainly in both communities of Tu Nedhe, most have a fuel fired heating system in their homes. If they cannot pay for their fuel bills, they will have no heat this winter.

This government has recognized that reducing the use of...

On the negative supps for Education and Culture for $10.272 million I’m assuming that that is going to be treated like the other negative supps and returned back in ’09–10, that same amount, and then the positive supp of $3.750 million on careers, which leaves a net balance of $6.552 million. I was wondering how that’s handled. Considering the whole page, it looks like a negative supp, but if $10 million is going to be put back in, this is an actual supplementary appropriation of $3.75 million. I was just wondering if I could get a brief explanation on that accounting function that’s going to...

A quick, final question. I was wondering if the Minister could commit to passing information on about the new schedule and scope of work for repairs to Highway No. 6 to me as soon as possible so I can pass the information on to my constituents.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I spoke about repairs to Highway No. 6. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation why the repairs to at least the worst sections of Highway No. 6 are not being done when $1 million is set aside specifically for this work this summer.

I actually had one question on page 12. I’m okay with asking him. I’m pretty sure that the Minister will be able to answer the question without the other witness. It shouldn’t be a problem.

Mr. Speaker, in speaking with a former long term highway employee and contractor, I was told that it could take as little as three weeks to do the work and repairs, repairing the worst section of the highway once equipment is mobilized. I was wondering if the Minister could take the initiative to try to get the work started as soon as possible.

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

Today I’d like to talk about the slow response by the Department of Transportation regarding issues raised by residents of Fort Resolution for repair and reconstruction of Highway No. 6.

Mr. Speaker, I first raised this issue last February by asking the former Minister of Transportation questions about repairs and future plans for Highway No. 6. The Minister committed to allocating $1 million of repair work to be carried out this summer. The condition in this section of highway is worse than when I first raised the issue last winter. We...

Prior to even the consultation process, I am assuming there has been some thought given to this. I would like to ask the Minister if Cabinet had examined leaving as much disposable income as possible in the pockets of the citizens, letting the natural economic process of the multiplier effect take place.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a government we need to do something now to address this urgent situation. The outlook is not good, yet the government plans various taxes to erode the disposable income of a working person. The high cost of living and the current system of taxes do not support the working class in a smaller community. As a matter of fact, it makes it easier for one to make the choice of unemployment, to receive government assistance to provide for their family’s needs. In effect, Mr. Speaker, government policy will play a role in...