Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been approached by a number of businesspeople asking why their WSCC rates are going up. Unfortunately, I cannot answer their questions with certainty. Therefore, I have some questions for the Minister responsible for WSCC. Can the Minister explain why the rates are going up annually? Is this due to increased costs for administration of programs, a need for more staff, or is this cost related to injured workers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regard to the Sambaa K'e winter road, again, it is the question about the hills there. Have you identified money to help them with two hills for this fiscal year, or is it the past fiscal year? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister and his staff for answering the questions. No further questions on this one. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My next question is about MTS. We talked about amortization for fuel services, but do we have any amortization for MTS and the stuff that we have purchased? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I appreciate that answer from the deputy minister. I know that, in Wrigley, we had to get fuel from the north part because of our ice conditions. Did that have an increase in the cost, or were we able to keep the cost where it was until we were able to ship in a new supply? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regard to fuel services, I have noticed that we have had problems with MTS, given the High Arctic and that, with the smaller communities just recently, i.e., Wrigley. Has the cost gone up, or is it just because of the delivery costs that we have seen increases in fuel in the smaller communities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regard to fuel services here, I noticed that, when the Minister talked about MTS, there was no budget line, but fuel services has a budget line. Isn't fuel services a revolving fund, as well? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, thank you very much to the Minister for giving information and clarity to some of these questions. I still have some concerns, though. I can't see our rates going down too low for our secretaries and that, but with hospitals and corrections, I could see it going up. My last question, Mr. Speaker, is: is my understanding that the Minister's role is to ensure that everybody pays their own fair share, including the GNWT? Can the Minister explain what his role is with WSCC? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I couldn't agree more with the Minister. Elders are very important, and they are our foundation. I am greatly happy to hear that the Minister and the corporation are looking at that, and they will look into it maybe even before community plans are done, if the communities come forward. My next question is: in some of the smaller communities, we do not have contractors or tradespeople. In other regional centres, contractors do not find the projects big enough that are happening in these small communities to bid on, so we can see projects delayed or not done at all. Can the Minister advise if...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Standing Committee on Social Development received a presentation from the NWT Housing Corporation about the senior planning study. I have to say I am very impressed with the quality of the work done by the corporation. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain why the corporation's primary focus is on the communities of Hay River and Yellowknife when, if you look at the projected seniors population of 2028, we have four communities that will see seniors' populations increase...