David Krutko

Mr. Speaker, I’ve thought long and hard about exactly what’s happened here in the last couple of weeks, but more importantly, after living through the 13th Assembly, I don’t see anything different that we’re doing here through this budget process than we did back then. Like I stated, we do have some major implications of what we did in the 13th Assembly.

Coming from small communities, our services in our communities are next to nil — nil, no mental health workers, no social workers, no policing. Look at the services we have in our communities where you depend on locums to come and fill in...

Does the committee agree that Bill 7 is ready for third reading?

Bill 7 approved for third reading.

I'd like to ask the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Jackson Lafferty, to introduce the bill.

Mr. Speaker, another option that I think the Minister should certainly consider looking at is, I believe, that under the policing agreement, it does talk about First Nations policing and also the possibility of looking at special constables.

I think that we have to look at every avenue that we have available to us, because I believe that without policing in our communities, it is affecting the government’s ability to deliver programs and services, especially around nursing, teachers and other professions in those communities.

I’d like to ask the Minister: have they also talked with the federal...

Clauses 181 to 186, pages 173-179.

Clauses 181 through 186 inclusive approved.

Does the committee agree that Bill 4 is ready for third reading?

Bill 4 as a whole approved for third reading.

Mr. Speaker, in regard to the statement made earlier today by the Minister of Justice in regard to policing in Sachs Harbour, I’d like to applaud him on that. But more importantly, we still have, I believe, nine or ten communities out there that still don’t have policing.

I think it is an essential service for our communities, and also for our professionals to deliver programs and services in those communities. I’m talking about the community I represent, Tsiigehtchic, where they were having problems attracting nurses and also in ensuring public safety in their community.

I’d like to ask the...

Clauses 141 to160, pages 125-138.

Clauses 141 through 160 inclusive approved.

Agreed. Tab 4 in the grey binders. Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act. Clause 1.

Clauses 1 through 20 inclusive approved.

Again, working with the private sector with regard to housing we have the development corporations, community corporations, and also a few individuals who are looking at that by way of business opportunities. It is a major capital investment in a lot of our communities. You’re talking about a very high cost to construct in a lot of these communities. If anyone wants to take on this endeavour, they are going to be on a long term, being able to recoup their investments.

I’d like to ask the Premier: are there any programs that we may have where we can invest in these type of projects where the...