David Krutko

I believe they had followed policies, that’s why I have 45 percent unemployment in my riding, which I never had three years ago, but under the regime of this government, it has forced companies to leave my riding and go to operate out of Yellowknife and get work in the southern region because they can’t get work in their home communities. I’d like to ask the Premier if it’s fair that all the contractors doing work in my riding are coming from Inuvik who are getting $70 million of capital expenditures in that community and yet my communities are going hungry because of unemployment rates at 45...

Again, Mr. Chair, I’d like to ask the Minister in regard to emergency measure plans that are in place, how many are in place and operational and how many are still being worked on by communities?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, I do have concerns with the loss of $7 million in the area of grants and contributions. I think that’s a major cut to the programs that a lot of people depend on, and knowing that there’s probably going to be less money but more demand, I’m wondering if the Housing Corporation has considered looking at maybe cutting back on some of the delivery side of the programs knowing that you have less dollars to allocate. Maybe look at less program officers on the ground, put the savings back into the programs to offset the $7 million cut from the federation government. I...

One of the things we’re seeing more and more with fire departments and volunteer firefighters is that they’re taking on more responsibilities such as highway rescue and search and rescue, with people going through the ice. We’re finding that we’re seeing more of those types of incidents happening where people are having to do search and rescue. Again, it’s usually the volunteer fire department that has to end up doing a lot of these things, because either the resource people aren’t doing it or we have to depend on someone else to do it for us. But what we’re finding is that it’s usually the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just gave the Minister two letters lately from Fort McPherson and from Aklavik in regards to housing contracts and put in without local tendering or basically allow for some sort of local preferential treatment be treated for these units going into my constituents. I would like to ask the Minister, can he assure me that those contracts will have a fair airing that will go to Cabinet and the Cabinet will make the decision to go or not to go in regards to the contracts in my riding.

Thank you. Any more general comments regarding Municipal and Community Affairs? General comments. If not, I’ll ask the Minister to respond to the general comments so far. Mr. McLeod.

Again, for clarification, royalties? What royalties did you have to pay for the remaining $12,000?

Mr. Chairman, again, why is it the Inuvik regional office does not support negotiated contracting policy?

Mr. Chairman, I think it is important to realize that, from these fire responses we had, especially in my riding, again, there have been some challenges that we have run into. I think it is important that we ensure that we focus on those areas that are having the most challenges, but more importantly, making sure that we are working with them to ensure that they are not only doing their job safely but also saving lives and avoiding putting themselves in harm’s way. I would just like to ask that you consider those communities that have shown that they are having some challenges. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, my understanding of all the letters that I have submitted to the Minister asking for negotiated contracts, not once did I get a response back to those letters asking for negotiated contracts that those contracts went to Cabinet or have been rejected outright by the Minister. Why have you not passed on the message that those contracts have been dealt with in Cabinet and when can I see those letters? Thank you.