Shane Thompson

Thank you. All these things for that one number, so it's quite interesting. Thanks. Contract services: I notice that there's a $343,000 reduction from the revised main estimates. Is there going to be less usage of contract services or what was the contract services used for? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Could the Minister for the department please explain why they would reduce this position if environment is one of our priorities and, you know, it's important for the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, I guess my math is all lacking here because I got revised estimates of $537,000 and the main estimates at $319,000. I understand what you were looking at for your main, but you had to revise one, so could you please explain the difference so I could understand a little bit clearer? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I notice in climate change is a $150,000 reduction. If this is a priority of this government, why is this reduction occurring? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Again, I was having a hard time hearing, and I apologize to Mr. Campbell. We're able to access funding for the federal government. I understand that and it was very successful; however, right now that funding, I'm assuming, is gone and so is the department willing to look at within their coffers to see if there's funding available especially for the smaller communities like the Trout Lakes, the Jean Maries, the Nahanni Buttes, the Lutselk'es, the Fort Resses, these small communities that don’t have a lot of money and are, you know, a little bit strapped, and after I had seen what...

I guess I'm going to have to come back to this biomass as I'm really confused. It was done in Fort McMurray. Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the deputy minister for that answer. It clears up things and I'm not questioning his expertise, because that I assume being a deputy minister and fighting fires that's why you're sitting where you are. I thank you very much for that and now I have a better understanding of what you're saying. Back to the firebreaks in regards to this here. Has the government looked at working with these small communities, especially after seeing what has happened in Fort McMurray, developing firebreaks in the community and utilizing the staff if it's a slow, and I'm praying we're...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On page 92 there was a biomass energy tariff. There was $150,000 taken out. Could the Minister please explain why this was reduced if we're talking about biomass as an alternative way of doing energy? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Probably the deputy minister is going to have to explain how they're more efficient in fighting fires with a four-man crew compared to a five-man crew. If you have five people you're going to…

I thank the government, Mr. Speaker and I thank the Minister for his answer. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell the House how the department is going to address such issues as safety of the site and the noise level during school hours that will impact on the students?