Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, within the mandate to increase employment in small communities, the GNWT states it will support small communities in developing skilled trades people. But, Madam Speaker, that is the best action this government can do to improve the lives of the residents in the small communities. Just for identifying and stating this objective, this government gets an A grade. Now let's do more in this area to get the A plus rating.
Madam Speaker, when I previously brought up a training program for all settlement maintainers in our small communities, I was met with opposition to the idea. Specifically, I suggested training in the area of maintaining heating equipment such as furnaces and boilers and other required training to do the jobs required of them, all with the intent on saving time and much needed dollars for the department in the long run. This will save Infrastructure thousands of dollars flying or driving someone into a small community from a large centre and most likely, as has been known, only to bleed a furnace.
Currently, Housing NWT is setting up a training program for their housing maintainers. They will do training in all aspects of maintaining a building, repairing components of the building, basic understanding of the heating systems, whether they be a furnace or a boiler system. That is exciting, and I am overjoyed for our Housing employees in the small communities. I really, really, really want to be excited for the Infrastructure department too. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members', the last I remember I identify as she/her, so Madam Speaker, adjust your speaking notes accordingly. Members' statements.
Member for Thebacha.
