Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had the pleasure of being invited into Mary Deneron's home during my last visit to Sambaa K'e. I would like to thank her for a great visit. I was very fortunate that her grandson was able translate for me. I would like to thank Dennis for coming in with me.

Mary Deneron was born between Sambaa K'e and Fort Liard to Baptiste and Anna Jumbo on July 16, 1931. She had nine other siblings: six brothers and three sisters. Mary remembers life being very hard. She had the responsibility to cut wood, bring it into the home, and check the fish nets year-round. As well, she...

Thank you. I thank the Minister for his answers moving forward. My last question is basically: we are seeing a lot of southern companies come in and take contracts from northern companies. Has the department or the government looked at making sure that they have a socio-economic impact and economic multipliers as part of it because right now, when we see money, southern companies get contracts? That money is going down south with limited money staying back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Since this could be part of the tender process or tender contract, how does the department ensure that part of this is actually being followed by the contractors?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Minister providing the answers to us here today. I realize the Minister thinks that the BIP policy is probably one of the best policies that the Government of the Northwest Territories ever created. I would have to agree. It is a great policy in the original state. However, it has been changed to what some northern contractors that I have talked to don't think is a great policy, and we are seeing more and more southern companies come north and taking away contracts and jobs. Will the Minister be willing to look at the policy that was originally in...

I am hoping the Minister can share that with me when he gets it together. Mr. Speaker, the Minister also quoted, "I have a lot of opportunities to speak to different people about BIP." Has the Minister spoken to northern contractors, specifically those in the southern part of the NWT, about their concerns regarding the new way the Business Incentive Policy has been implemented?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Robert Bouchard, a fellow Hay Riveran. He did recognize me in the House, and now I'm returning the favour. Welcome to the House, one of the Fab Five, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Development has reviewed Bill 45: Corrections Act. Mr. Speaker, committee wishes to report that Bill 45 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I guess that will lead me to my next question. What happens if the contract does not fulfill the commitments that they say they are doing in the contract?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have follow-up questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Can the Minister advise us, in the contracts, does it have a clause which states how many Northerners will be used on the job and where the company will get their accommodations, fuel, and food, especially when we are using southern companies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Several presenters felt that the language of the statement of commitment should be changed. It was felt that the use of language such as "our people" and "our land" implied a sense of ownership by Members or set Members on different level than residents of the Northwest Territories. Other presenters felt that the Indigenous cultures of the Northwest Territories should be better reflected in the statement of commitment. Committee accepted these recommendations and has proposed that the statement of commitment be adopted as follows:

As Members of the Legislative Assembly of...