Shane Thompson

It's great that we see this increase of 100 seniors getting through this program. It's of value. However, we went, in the Nahendeh riding which had 2,800 litres, to $2,700. Can the Minister please advise the amount of money allocated to each zone, so we get a bigger picture?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am assuming that, no, we are just utilizing the RCMP as they are presently in place. I will go on to another question. Can the Minister please explain how the new cannabis regime affects the RCMP's ability to charge and prosecute drug dealers, given the legal possession limit presently? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that answer. My next question is in regard to case management and recruitment of Indigenous people to be working in those positions. I guess my question is: do you have a plan in place, a session planning, that you actually train your Indigenous workers who wish to be in that role? Do you give them the ability to do training so that, when those positions come available, they are the ones who are given that opportunity? Right now, my understanding is we see a lot of Priority 3 staff in that position. Have you set up a plan for that? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The electronic maintenance enforcement system has been tested since 2016-2017, but my understanding is it's now been delayed. Can you please explain what obstacles the department has encountered in utilizing this system? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past December and January, I had the opportunity to visit the communities in Nahendeh to discuss various issues and concerns, including the Seniors' Home Heating Subsidy program.

Mr. Speaker, elders from my riding have serious concerns regarding a recent change to this program. It is my understanding that the department is now issuing a fuel subsidy in a dollar amount, as opposed to litres. In 2017, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment conducted a review that examined all aspects of the program, including income threshold zones, fuel...

Okay. Thank you. Can the Minister expand on what this program is that we are talking about? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I understand that having a facility open 24/7, there is going to be some overtime because of sickness and stuff like that. I guess my question is: has the department looked at a cost analysis to see if it is more feasible to actually hire a couple more staff in case of that? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's very, very important. I mean, we see that across Canada it's been implemented and followed through on, so why has the launch of the recalculation services been delayed? What is the stumbling block? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, I understand, you know, Indigenous RCMP regular officers, but have we looked at, you know, special constables like we have done in the past where, you know, you are getting a local individual to train, to be able to help the members who are coming in, and to assimilate into the community and have a face the community knows who to talk to? Is the department looking at the opportunity? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do have a couple more to follow up on that. With the North Slave, the additional measurements there, have you looked at increasing staff for that facility? Thank you, Mr. Chair.