Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the numbers the Minister just gave me, that's throughout the whole territory, Mr. Speaker. I'm talking about the small communities here, you know, my riding, three communities: Fort McPherson, Aklavik, and Tsiigehtchic. We're losing 20 positions here. I hope the department isn't planning to carry on this sort of practice here, because look at that, 10 months we've been waiting, Mr. Speaker. We could have built at least three to four times the amount of units while we've been waiting, Mr. Speaker. How long is the department going to carry on this practice...

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, the community's been waiting. You know, there's going to be other challenges with NTCL having their challenges as well. What is the department planning as an alternative to getting these units shipped up to the communities?

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to welcome Mary Ross and William George first to the House today. Thank you for all your work you’ve done for the Gwich’in language. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, I'm surprised to see that there's no money this year in the community protection research. You know, that sort of money is, you know, for firebreaks and whatnot, anything that'll... Back burning, that's something I'd like to see as a practice by some of the communities. You know, why is there no money in there for this?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just under fire damage compensation I see there's a $100,000 there. How would that be… Like, say somebody's place burned down by a forest fire, how much would each individual receive under this program and how is it calculated as to how much they will receive? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know it's a great initiative. I also notice under the heading it mentions homes, as well, Mr. Chair, and I'd like to ask the department: How is that part of it moving forward? Is it with Ecology North, or who's actually heading up that section of it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, as the department knows, Fort McPherson has done a lot in biomass over the last couple of years, and there were talks last year of possibly tying in the school or getting another unit for the school and the community. I'm just wondering if there's any further talks on that. I know Public Works has been leaning towards more biomass projects through the community, so I would just like to get a little update. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned also, we're losing upwards of 20 jobs in our communities as a result of this. How can the corporation justify putting these people out of work, Mr. Speaker? Our small communities depend on these units being built in our communities; it's plain and simple. The employment rate is going to stay below 35 per cent because we're losing these jobs, Mr. Speaker, so how can the department justify that?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, follow-up to my Member's statement, I have two questions for the Minister of Housing. I'll use Tsiigehtchic as the first example, because this is the first community that was approved to have a modular home sent to the community. Mr. Speaker, it's been 10 months our community has been waiting to have this unit that's supposed to be shipped to the community in the fall. Mr. Speaker, there has to be added costs, and I'm sure we wouldn't find that out until the fall, by the time we actually get the unit in Tsiigehtchic. I'd like to ask the Minister what...