Shane Thompson

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 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.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. She is talking about the five organizations, and I totally understand that, but this is community municipal funding contribution that is going to the community. It is not going to the regional associations. If they are going to be putting this on the table, will the Minister invite to have the communities sit at this table as well? I know they have regional associations that represent, but we are talking about money that is going directly to the communities. Will the Minister confirm that if this money is on the table, will they make that commitment to have the community...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

A number of public submissions were received about conflict of interest, including extensive recommendations for amending provisions pertaining to Cabinet Ministers, Cabinet staff, and senior government officials. The latter three categories lie well beyond Members’ conduct as referred to this committee, and would require changes to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act as well as other legislation and policy.

It was also suggested that the wording should be strengthened in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act (and the Members’ Conduct...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for his answer. I am looking at a community that is in my region, called for service seven times, six patrols. I have another community in another riding; they had five calls and had 23 patrols that were outside there. Again, my big concern, to get the presence in the community so that the people understand the service and have better service. Will the Minister work with the detachment to get better service into the smaller communities, specifically the ones that have part-time detachments? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that. Can she please tell me if it was broken or not broken? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past two months, the community of Fort Simpson held three hockey tournaments. Starting January 20, three teams from Fort Simpson faced off against teams from Hay River, Fort Providence, and Deline during the 30th annual senior men's hockey tournament.

The fans got to see some amazing hockey, with an ultimate win for the Hay River Huskies over the team from Deline in the final. The Huskies played Fort Providence in the semi-finals. After 60 minutes the game was tied; overtime didn't solve anything, so both teams went to a shootout.

Mr. Speaker, the Deline Braves had...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for the answer. I am not asking for dates. I am asking how many times they have been in these communities. I am looking at your business plans and using the numbers for 2016. Wrigley had 76 calls for services and only two patrols. I am really trying to understand what this part-time detachment means to this community. Can the Minister explain what this part-time detachment means, and how regular are these services to the people so they get better service? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

So, I guess what I am looking at is, this is a fiscal cut; this is why we did it. So it is going to have a hindrance to the smaller communities in my riding, and I don't care, we can call it potato or potahto, it is still going to have a hindrance in my communities. They are still going to have the issue of trusting the individual from Fort Smith or Yellowknife, and those individuals need to know what is going on. I understand that the works guy moved into the capital position. I am well aware of that, but I am not talking about him. I am talking about the position that needs to be done within...