Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask my question to the Minister of Transportation. Recently the operations in the marine operations, they hired a marine supervisor, but they had relocated that position from Fort Simpson to Hay River. So I’d just like to ask the Minister what is the timeline of getting this position moved back to Fort Simpson? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Return To Question 74-16(1): Marine Positions Located In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ve been told that the former position of marine, head of marine operation in Fort Simpson had served two functions. He was also the director and also the superintendent at that time. Since today, my understanding is that the position has been moved to Hay River because 90 percent of our marine operations are out of the hub of the waterway transportation in the North and that there’s an assistant director of marine operations in Fort Simpson. Unless I’ve been briefed on this, I haven’t seen any indication as to when this position of director of marine services will be moving back to Fort Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 74-16(1): Marine Positions Located In Fort Simpson

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. No, it’s just that our government has a policy for keeping positions in the regions and the communities, and here’s a classic case where a position was moved and I thought there were indications that it was a temporary move, that until they find accommodations in Fort Simpson. So I’d just like the Minister to follow up on when will that position be relocated back to Fort Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 74-16(1): Marine Positions Located In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ll certainly check my records with the department in terms of what type of decisions were made on this issue here, and certainly look within this government here to see if there’s any plans to move the position back into Fort Simpson. As the Member is well aware, there are other regions also that are looking at present areas in terms of where other regions are making positions and that affects other regions without any type of regional presence by our department.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 74-16(1): Marine Positions Located In Fort Simpson

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, in many of our regions, it takes a long time to fight for the positions that we do have for those, and in some of the regions that’s the only form of economic development, a $140,000 job there, Mr. Speaker. So I’d like to press with the Minister that. I’d like see this position returned to Fort Simpson and I’d like the Minister to start working on that and give me some assurance that he will look at it, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 74-16(1): Marine Positions Located In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are marine positions in Fort Simpson right now, and Inuvik. I’d like to state clearly to this House here that when we have these type of requests, that we’ll certainly look very closely with our department in terms of what makes good business sense in terms of having positions being moved to other regions in terms of serving the interests of people in the North. Again, to state clearly also that, Mr. Speaker, there are some regions right now in our department that are serving other regions without any type of presence in the North here.