Debates of October 27, 2006 (day 17)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to touch on my earlier Member’s statement about the transfer of the North Slave office staff to Behchoko. Mr. Speaker, this government is contradicting itself when it recognizes the Tlicho Government but it does not have the regional offices with decision-making powers in the Tlicho region. Mr. Speaker, it’s time this government sees these decision-makers to be in the communities. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Can the Premier explain how over a year this government continues to ignore the self-government of the Tlicho by refusing to move these decision-making powers to the Tlicho region? How long do we have to wait? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 212-15(5): North Slave Regional Offices In Behchoko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an interesting proposal to have more of the North Slave region located in Behchoko. Mr. Speaker, it’s something I’d want to think about. It’s something I’d like to take a look at the load of the North Slave offices and various departments. I know their responsibility is certainly for the Tlicho people. It’s also for the Akaitcho and for the North Slave, Metis in the North Slave and Yellowknife in some cases as well. So, Mr. Speaker, it’s an interesting one. There’s nothing saying everything has to be in Yellowknife. Certainly we’ll take a look at it.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 212-15(5): North Slave Regional Offices In Behchoko

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m glad the department will certainly look into this matter. It’s very important to us in the Tlicho riding. We know the services for the region are not appropriate as long as they are delivered at headquarters in Yellowknife. It makes a difference having all the GNWT departments including the Executive represented locally by senior managers. So, Mr. Speaker, my question again to the Premier is how he will ensure that GNWT services for the Tlicho region allow for the building of relationships between the GNWT and the Tlicho Government and for the GNWT staff to be familiar with our culture of the Tlicho communities? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 212-15(5): North Slave Regional Offices In Behchoko

Mr. Speaker, our people are working on a protocol right now and there have been regular meetings between our departments that are involved delivering services in the Tlicho with the Tlicho governance. So, Mr. Speaker, we want to continue with that and I think it’s something we’re working on and something that means some dialogue both ways. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 212-15(5): North Slave Regional Offices In Behchoko

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we did make progress in this House a while back. I supported the government when the Department of Executive introduced the regional director positions so there could be a better link between the GNWT residents in the region and government headquarters. So can the Premier explain why even these regional directors of our North Slave region are located at the headquarters in Yellowknife? How can this position support the region if it is located in Yellowknife? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 212-15(5): North Slave Regional Offices In Behchoko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said before, I recognize the amount of work and time that's spent working with the Tlicho people, and also have to balance the responsibilities of the North Slave executive offices and other departments with the work they're doing with the Akaitcho and the Metis and the other people in this area. But, Mr. Speaker, I will take a look at it, I will take a look at what the workload is, and certainly we have no hesitation about moving offices to Behchoko if the work and the economics of it really work out. We'd have to look at office space and housing and so on as well. But, Mr. Speaker, I'm certainly not against that. Everything doesn't have to be in headquarters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 212-15(5): North Slave Regional Offices In Behchoko

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's been an issue of the gravel road to the community of Behchoko and there was a huge concern and safety issue for the departments, I guess the executive or the senior staff to be in Behchoko, to be allocated. Anyway, I would like to ask the Premier, because that's not an excuse anymore, but if he's willing to work with us, that's good, I appreciate that. Can the Premier make a commitment in this House to add these changes, whether it be capital plans '07 or business planning, to transfer these North Slave staff to Behchoko as a regional headquarter for the Tlicho region? I realize there is work that needs to be in place, but can we foresee that in '07? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 212-15(5): North Slave Regional Offices In Behchoko

Mr. Speaker, if there was office space there, if there was housing and there was no additional cost to us, then I'd want to talk to the staff about why this couldn't happen. Now, I have to respect that we just hired a regional director. I don't know his commitments in Yellowknife; that's where he was living, I believe, when we hired him. But, Mr. Speaker, as I said to the Member, I'll take a look at it and if everything is there and it costs us no additional money, then I'm not against it. Thank you.