Thanks for the information. I thought I heard the Minister say there is a position in Fort Smith, but if I look at the numbers on page 6-10, Fort Smith is going down by one. I’m getting confused again.

Thanks for the explanation. I just want to explain that we have data that says 15 positions and then we had data that said 17. I think that’s where a lot of the confusion came from. I think I finally understand.

I did want to ask a question. There is an indication of reduction in the children and family services area. I wanted to ask how many social workers are currently employed within children and family services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we discussed the Department of Human Resources, we had conversations and discussions at length about affected employees. At that time some Members referenced aboriginal employees.

I have a question for the Minister of Human Resources in regard to some other employees. Of the employees designated as “affected” in the 2008–2009 budget reductions:

How many of these employees are women?

What percentage are women of the total number of affected employees?

How many of the affected employees are single women?

What percentage are single women of the total number of affected...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting days and hours as the Speaker, after consultation, deems fit to assist with the business before the House.

The other question I asked was: who is going to assist the communities to access federal dollars to help to refurbish the communities’ and/or residents’ homes if there is, for instance, a flood or forest fire which creates damage to infrastructure within the community?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. In my Member’s statement I mentioned two questions, which I’d like to ask the Minister at this time. I stated that the emergency planning coordinator position at MACA is an affected position. Assuming that the position is removed, I’d like to ask the Minister who will provide assistance to the communities in them preparing emergency preparedness plans.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to give voice today to some concerns about the proposed budget that have been heard from our communities.

NWT communities are generally pleased with the budget, except for the process followed. Budget development lacked any public consultation and effectively handcuffed the communities’ own budget processes.

As a result, at the NWT Association of Communities’ annual general meeting, held in Simpson last month, the membership passed the following motion:

“Whereas the Government of the Northwest Territories…announced in January that it will cut approximately $135 million in...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a number of comments which have already been made, so I’ll just highlight them. I don’t expect answers. I think they’ve been answered already, but I wanted to point out some concerns which I have.

We just discussed housing for seniors. My concern is housing for seniors — I don’t know a better way to put it — who have money. I believe there needs to be — probably more so in Yellowknife than in any other community — some sort of housing source for seniors who have a certain amount of money. There needs to be some sort of a subsidy for seniors who can afford their own...

I appreciate that regional offices will be providing some assistance. I suggest that’s probably not going to be enough. I’d like to know whether or not the department is going to be monitoring the situation should the emergency planning coordinator position not be there after this budget. I’d like to know if the department is going to be monitoring the situation and evaluating whether or not the communities are able to do these jobs on their own or if things are going to be falling through the cracks.

Assuming that the capacity of local governments remains as it is — it tends to be quite stretched, I guess would be a good word — I appreciate the Minister’s answer, but at the moment the local governments do have the assistance of the emergency planning coordinator. If that position is gone, they’ll be left on their own. Is the government planning to provide any assistance to community governments to help them get these plans done, which should be an important part of their local government planning?