David Krutko

Does committee agree the Minister brings in his witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will not be supporting the motion. I believe this motion is going a little too far, especially with the impact it’s going to have on our small communities where we depend on the good old pickup trucks to get around. Those are our work trucks; they’re not just a luxury item. In most cases we do have potholes. We don’t have just a few speed bumps on the way. Most of our highways are gravel and rough. I think someone with a hybrid trying to operate under that condition, or even a Lexus for that matter, will have a real problem in navigating themselves on the roads we...

We’ll move to deal with Bill 16, Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009. We’ll move to page 3, Schedule, Debts Written-off, Total: $424,708.95.

Bill 16, Schedule, Total Debts Written-off: $424,708.95, approved.

At this time I’d like to ask the standing committee that reviewed the bill if they have any opening comments. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to ask the Minister: are there any cultural enhancement programs put in place for new employees, non-aboriginal employees, in the Inuvik region so that they can understand the Gwich’in and Inuvialuit culture and the people that they have to serve and not to basically assume things without understanding the culture of the people in that region? I would like to ask the Minister: do they provide cultural enhancement programs to new employees in regard to the culture of the people that they’re serving?

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Welcome, witnesses. At this time I’d like general comments in regard to Bill 16.

Interjection.

Bill 19 is now ready for third reading.

I’d like to thank Ms. Bisaro and her witness. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witness out.

Bill 17 is now ready for third reading.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Thank you, witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out.

As we agreed, per the schedule, we have Minister’s Statement 80-16(2), sessional statement. Mr. Abernethy.

Mr. Speaker, It’s not only unique to Fort McPherson. This situation also occurs in Aklavik, and I know for a fact in regard to the people in Tsiigehtchic, for the majority of their supplies that they need, they have to run into Inuvik, pick it up and come back into the field. I think we are putting officers in a dangerous situation where they are all around the road with no radio communication in their vehicles, vehicles that are over 15 years old and snowmobiles that basically should be put into a museum.

I would like to ask the Minister again: why is this trend continuing to take place...

Is committee agreed the Minister bring in his witnesses?