Wendy Bisaro

I thank the Minister for his answer. I know that there is nothing in the current legislation that can limit a rent increase, except that there can only be one in any 12month period.

I’d like to know whether or not the Minister can advise if the department, in previous years, has ever considered rent caps.

I may be older but you’re obviously wiser, so I will try this again.

Laughter.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to bring to light today a situation affecting my constituents and, I suspect, the constituents of other Yellowknife ridings. Yellowknife’s rental housing market is extremely tight at the moment; the vacancy rate is less than 1 per cent. We’re all well aware of the current costs that are attached to the provision of heat, power, maintenance and so on that landlords must endure — particularly fuel costs. So it’s no surprise that tenants across the city of Yellowknife are receiving notices of pending rental rate increases.

Constituents have advised me that their rent...

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize two fairly distinguished ladies in the gallery today: Lydia Bardak, whose official title is managing director of the John Howard Society and coordinator for Community Justice, Yellowknife, and also a city councillor for the City of Yellowknife; and Arlene Hache, who represents the Centre for Northern Families.

It’s a relief that, finally, I can talk publicly about the 2008–2009 budget. As a new MLA, the development of this budget has been an interesting and thought-provoking experience but, unfortunately, not one I wish to repeat if the process and the outcomes are the same.

Last December this Assembly agreed on goals and priorities and sent Cabinet away to produce a budget for us based on those goals. I had high — some would say naïvely high — hopes that I could have some influence on the development of this budget, that my input would be sought and respected. I’m sad to say that I don’t feel that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues.

One hundred thirty-five affected positions is not a last resort, in my estimation. I’m left feeling that the government has acted in a high-handed manner: job cuts already in place and funding for programs deleted as of April 1, well before the budget is approved.

The following quote appeared in a northern newspaper last month, and I have to agree with it: “It” — job cuts — “would imply that the decision-making process is being done outside of the formal budget process.”

Yes, it was only notification of possible job losses, but the public...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two pages from the riding of Frame Lake: In front of me, Stuart Hamre and then, behind me, Jeanne Yurris. They’ve done a great job. Thank you.

Clarification — yes, I understand that. Thank you, Mr. Minister. However, there are a number of things about this process that don’t smell right to me. The selected proponent was pitching this project to the five communities at least a year and a half ago, and the selected proponent helped MACA set up the proposal call document for the RFP. Is this standard procedure for a request for procedure process?

I would like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs some questions about the RFP for bundled implementation for the five-community water treatment plants. I know that the Minister advised us yesterday that all is in order, but I am concerned about the process that has taken place. The Minister stated in the House yesterday that “this contract for procurement is still in process. I am very reluctant to speak to something that has ongoing negotiations.”

Once an RFP is completed, the evaluation has been done and the winner declared, is it standard practice to enter into negotiation...

Mr. Speaker, I use my Member’s statement today to acknowledge our emergency service personnel, particularly firefighters, both career and volunteer members. As is the case for many of the people who work silently behind the scenes on our behalf, we don’t recognize them nearly enough.

Emergency service personnel stand by for us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready and willing to do dangerous work if called upon. These men and women train and prepare to be ready for action at a moment’s notice. They have specialized skills and knowledge that enable them to do an outstanding job, often in...