Debates of March 2, 2006 (day 40)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. With the appointment of the regional superintendents of the Executive, how much autonomy will the Sahtu region now have to conduct its own affairs? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 503-15(4): Appointment Of Regional Superintendents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Where the programs have been transferred to the Sahtu region, then they will have the same autonomy as any other region. An example is with the Housing Corporation; transfers have not been completed in other departments. Transportation, for example. We would have to make that at some point in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 503-15(4): Appointment Of Regional Superintendents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That begs the next question. When will we see full transportation authority or services program into the Sahtu and other departments like the Department of Justice in terms of those type of responsibilities coming to the Sahtu region? The Premier has said in the near future; however, I’m looking for more specific timelines to that question. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Yakeleya. Minister Handley.

Further Return To Question 503-15(4): Appointment Of Regional Superintendents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I heard someone say when you get the billion dollars.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, we would need to have justification for a superintendent, and staff, and office space, and so one to move departments. In some cases there isn’t the workload right now. You know, if we’re successful in getting infrastructure money for a highway through the Sahtu, then it may at that time be justified, but right now I don’t think there’s the workload. The same applies I believe with Justice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 503-15(4): Appointment Of Regional Superintendents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we’re going to be waiting for a long time in the Sahtu in terms of types of superintendents we’re going to have in our region. So anyhow, that’s for another day. I wanted to ask the Premier, will the regional superintendents of the Executive be able to override the deputy ministers in providing directions to other departmental superintendents? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 503-15(4): Appointment Of Regional Superintendents

Mr. Speaker, the Executive superintendents in the regions will not be dictators or some kind of autonomous rulers in there. They’re going to have to live by the guidelines, the directions, the legislation and the Minister’s direction the same as all employees. So they won’t be able to overrule the whole system. No, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 503-15(4): Appointment Of Regional Superintendents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think I was suggesting that the regional superintendents be dictators. I think we have enough in Yellowknife here to dictate to how the regions are going to run.

Ohhh.

We certainly want to take the jobs out of Yellowknife here. So I want to ask the Premier, again, how will the department programs be coordinating the territorial agendas and also with the regional agendas in terms of having these regional superintendents situated in our regions? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 503-15(4): Appointment Of Regional Superintendents

Mr. Speaker, the regional superintendents of the Executive will report directly to the deputy minister of the Executive or the secretary to Cabinet. That person reports to me. The executive directors will give us regular reports on the activities in the region and that will include any description of any difficulties they’re running into. They will certainly have the authority to call together all of the regional superintendents or any one superintendent if they feel there is an issue and report on that. Mr. Speaker, if there are difficulties or problems or crisis happening, then it will be brought to my attention very quickly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.