Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have been travelling across the NWT, the topic of caribou comes up with a lot of people. The more people I talked to, the more I became interested in what was happening in the Deh Cho in this area. After doing research, I found out the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is doing studies with boreal caribou in the Deh Cho.

Mr. Speaker, it was initiated in 2004 with the deployment of 10 satellite collars on adult female caribou at the request of, and after consultation with, Sambaa K'e Dene Band.

I am happy to say that there are extensive consultations in...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank Dr. Kelly for her answer. So does the department or Municipal and Community Affairs help communities provide funding for them to fire smart the communities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I have nothing further. I have kind of spoken my piece and the Minister unfortunately has a difference of opinion than I do. Very empowering or not, they get to make the final decision. Like I said, I respect his opinion and I understand where he’s coming from, but he also has to understand where I’m coming from. I cannot accept this. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank Dr. Kelly for her answer. Again, if I look at the numbers, if you go to page 81, there seems to be more positions in the water resource management area than there is into this environmental area. Some regions have three positions, and they already have one in there. Was this part of the functional review that the department did when they decided to remove this position? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like the first question to clarify when we're talking about the six communities, tax-based communities, sitting around the table, are we including all the six tax-based or is it specifically for ground ambulance and highway rescue? In other words, communities that have highway rescue and ground ambulance, or is it all six tax-based communities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think what I will do is a colleague once told me, if you didn't ask the question, ask it again properly. So the question is: the youth ambassadors program is being offered; this is in your opening remarks. So how many youth ambassador programs are being offered for this fiscal year coming up? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we are going through this budgeting process, I have noticed a number of people coming to me and saying there are unfunded positions within the government. It is fitting that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is coming up today here. Will the Minister tell us: how many unfunded positions does the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs have? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I notice a reduction in the program management service for School of Community Government. Can the Minister or the department explain why this reduction? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for his answer. Unfortunately, if we are not utilizing the services and utilizing the funding, that means the community is not getting the services required. My biggest concern is that the detachment in Fort Simpson, where these people are located and positioned, their relief for these people who are on holidays and training, that has an impact on the smaller communities. If we are not spending the money in there, it says something. When I say public service, it is not about just working there and dealing with complaints, but the most important part...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that clarification. On page 336, I see a reduction of $15,000 for Brilliant North, so we're turning money to them, and then, but it is a reduction. If you can clarify that, please? Thank you, Mr. Chair.