David Krutko

I had an opportunity to speak to the operator in Tsiigehtchic and the regional director of petroleum products division in Inuvik, and he says that their understanding was that the subsidy was not applied, for one reason or another. So I would like to ask the Minister if you could check if the subsidy was applied to the operation in Tsiigehtchic, and if so, could you give me a response back? Also, can you give me something in writing so that I can provide it to the community?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister responsible for PPD, petroleum products division. It’s in regard to the price of products, especially in the community I represent of Tsiigehtchic where the price of gas is $1.71 a litre, yet it’s a government-run operation.

I understand there’s a $5 million Petroleum Revolving Fund that’s there to subsidize these isolated communities to allow them to have a price that’s close to being competitive with the regional markets. I’d like to ask the Minister why it is that we are not using the Petroleum Revolving Fund to offset the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today with great sadness and a heavy heart to pay homage to one of our own. Our own Gwich’in boxer Jonathan Steven Andre. Jonathan was born to May and James Andre on March 30, 1980, in Teetlìt Zheh, which is Fort McPherson. His grandparents, John and Rachel Robert of Teetlìt Zheh and Anthony and Carol Andre of Tsiigehtchic.

Jonathan’s early life was one of turmoil and trouble. He had battled with drugs and alcohol, and with violence and anger. However, in the last decade, much to everyone’s surprise and happiness, Jonathan turned his life around.

In 2007 he left...

Mr. Chair, if it’s acceptable to the House, can we do this in blocks? We’ve got 80-something clauses, so it could save us some time. So if that’s acceptable to the rest of the House, maybe we could consider that.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I stated earlier, the majority of positions I meant, but I think if you take a close look at exactly where you look at the Indian branch lands and the management of those Indian branch lands by bands in our communities. Also in regard to the municipal lands in our communities, there are special arrangements.

I find it kind of odd from the Minister and the deputy stating that they don’t have anything to do with it because it’s a federal land claim agreement. Those municipal lands that were selected through the land claim agreement are in our communities. There are...

Again, as we all know, most community planners and people that basically make these decisions don’t come from the communities. Most of the decisions are made at the regional...or Yellowknife on how those plans are going to be imposed and developed. How can you, without having the wording in this legislation, ensure that they take that into consideration and just assume that somebody understands the land claim agreements or somebody understands that you do have the unique situations that I mentioned? So without having the wording in this agreement, you are assuming that hiring somebody from...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I did have issue with regard to the need for the abrogation and derogation clause. I think it’s important to realize that this type of legislation does have an overarching effect on land claim agreements. Lands have been designated for Indian branch lands or IAB lands, better known.

We have reserves in the Northwest Territories. We also have claims that have lands within the specific boundaries that were negotiated in comprehensive claims which are called municipal lands within the confines of municipalities. I think, as we have learned, it’s very difficult to try to imply...

Again, it does come down to a question of service. Like I stated, individuals in the community of Fort McPherson service 800 people. You have an individual in Tsiigehtchic who is serving 170 people. He’s making almost twice as much as the person that’s serving 800 people. I think you have to look at it in the confines of the service delivery system and the number of clients you are having to provide that service to. Would you consider a per diem ratio system of how you charge under the medical programs and services on those, like services that you charge on a per diem basis?

Can the Minister tell me, out of the $5 million revolving fund how much money is left in the fund, and how has it been allocated and distributed?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d just like to note for the record that there was no consultation with the rural and remote communities, the Aboriginal governments. The consultation process in which the majority of the Members you talk about are Aboriginal by way of the Rangers program. I think it’s important to realize that that level of government has not been consulted. The only consultation that has taken place was here in Yellowknife. I think it’s important that any legislation that comes through this House, every effort should be made to consult with all residents of the Northwest Territories...