Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a small community employment program was put in place because we have communities with employment rates below 50 per cent, below 40 per cent, some below 30 per cent, those are small communities. The communities that were added are communities that have employment rates at 60 and 70 per cent. We're trying to address employment where employment is needed most.

Why did the Minister not advise us in committee on the change that they're expanding the Small Community Employment Program, which was designed and put in place to increase employment in small...

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise why the decision was made to go beyond the small communities with this program?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to also recognize Chief Ernest Betsina. He is the chief of one of the communities that I represent, Ndilo. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise, and report progress. Thank you.

No, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Marsi cho, Mr. Chairman. Committee would like to consider Tabled Document 416-18(2), Capital Estimates, 2018-2019. We would like to include the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, go on to Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Finance. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The GNWT has policies to retain a priority status when they are recruiting employees to the GNWT. Does that same set of policies apply when there are layoffs being contemplated by the GNWT in I guess sort of in a reverse sense? Would the GNWT look at the Affirmative Action Policy to lay individuals off?

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, each time the GNWT decides to lay a person off, this scenario has the potential of repeating itself. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no more questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, just along the same line, that has always been a bit of point of contention for me, actually, the capital project money going into the municipalities hasn't changed since the new deal, I think. I think the money has been $28 million, and then now it's decreased for Deline, but that's actually not really a decrease because that's just a transfer.

I think the Minister's answer is trying to live within the economic realities of today, but I personally see it the opposite way. If you increase the money going into the communities, I think that it would save money...