Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Schumann. Next we have Mr. Nadli.

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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the next couple years we have a total of 12 units coming into the Mackenzie Delta. In Aklavik, we have two duplex modular homes; Fort McPherson we have three duplex modular homes there as well; and in Tsiigehtchic, we have one duplex that we're still awaiting from last year. Mr. Speaker, that's great we're having 12 units coming into our riding, but the issue is that these are modular homes being shipped in. It's always been a practice within our riding through the Delta that we have stick-built in the communities. We have a 25-per-cent employment rate...

Well, that sounds good. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, $100,000, let's say five, six people lost their cabins, you know, it's going to be underfunded this pot here. A good example is all the cabins that were burned down around Yellowknife, for example, the last couple of years and, you know, around Providence. You know, out through this area here. You know, is that $100,000 adequate for this program? Thank you.