Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regards to the Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority, it shows a reduction of two positions, one fulltime and one parttime. Were these vacant or full presently? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Maybe I didn’t explain myself clear enough. With this new authority and that, will we be required to bring public administrators in? Because I know right now you’ve said we’re getting regional boards and that, and Hay River has the one until they become part of it. In the past with authorities you’ve had to go in with public administrators. Will this new process ensure that this doesn’t happen again? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I get this correct, this is supposed to assist the communities or the regions with their mental health challenges and issues out there, so do we have the positions out in the region already that these people are going to be working with? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for that answer. with this authority, are you going to bebecause right now, we have all these authorities and they don’t actually report to the Minister. Will this authority now be reporting to the Minister and with these other authorities, or is it a chain of command where it goes to the boards and it was just a relationship with the chair and the Minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Minister was just saying there was an increase and a decrease, so there are some new positions. My question is: of these new positions? Are they moved to Yellowknife or being allocated in Yellowknife or out in the region? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Where is this money being held then, if it’s onetime payment? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the Minister may not be aware of barriers, as I recently was informed that there are some barriers. Mr. Speaker, if an NWT company is successful in getting work in BC they are required to pay PST on all their equipment moved into BC, plus they need to file multi-financial statements and related documents. On top of that, they have to purchase various permits. This adds up to thousands of dollars to the cost of the contract. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister have his department look into implementing similar for the NWT so we are on a level playing field? Thank...

I’m good. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, there's 20 per cent more work. I'm just trying to understand the efficiency and how... I understand the efficiencies with the budget and saving money for the equipment and, you know, operations. I've heard the deputy minister say that, you know, there's two flights versus three flights, and I understand that. That's a cost saving; that makes sense, but when we're talking about efficiencies with a four-man crew versus a five-man crew, can a five-man crew not do a better job than a four-man crew or is there some… I'll just leave it at that and I'll ask the next question after. Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and I thank the Minister for his answer. He’s kind of answered, but I’m going to rephrase it a bit here. Will he commit to a timeframe when his staff and the DPW staff will get into the community, consult with them? He’s already made a commitment to come in and I’m assuming we’re going to have to do that in the fall because we’re in session right now, but will he commit to a time frame when the staff from DPW and Education get into the community and talk to the DEA and the council. Thank you.