Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I’d like to turn the committee’s attention to Committee Report 5-16(2), which was read into the record earlier today, and I’ll provide our opening comments.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 93(4) and that Committee Report 5-16(2) be moved into Committee of the Whole today.

Unanimous consent granted.

Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to present the report on its review of the Draft Main Estimates for 2008–2009.

Since the 16th Legislative Assembly was elected in October 2007, the time frame of this transition year did not allow for full-budget circle review that would typically involve the review of business plans. Instead, the 16th Assembly approved an interim appropriation in February 2008, followed by a main estimate to be introduced in the May–June session. In an attempt to better align government expenditures with anticipated revenue, the GNWT...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister: is there an expected operating date when the repairs will be completed, and could they convey the progress to the community of Wrigley as they see it? Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just with regard to the bill and the budget that’s before us, I’ve given it lots of thought. I’ve read the budget documents. I’ve given them lots of thought, as I have as well to all the requests that I’ve been working with Cabinet for the past seven months. It’s been my experience as a previous Member in the 15th Assembly that often when we’re lobbying Cabinet and the Ministers on the floor of the House here, we’re talking about our issues. We’re talking about our roads, our housing issues, our health issues, our lack of teacher housing. It’s been my...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of Fort Simpson Airport maintenance services. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 309 signatures of Nahendeh residents. The petitioners request that the Legislative Assembly represent Nahendeh residents by opposing plans to privatize Fort Simpson Airport maintenance services.

I’m very glad to hear that the situation will be adequately assessed and a determination to review the regulations. I’m looking for that as well. Small and remote communities, even more so, need adequate protection measures, and I’d like to see our current existing legislation certainly accommodate that, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, it’s been my experience that double-walled tanks…. There are certainly reasons for having double-walled tanks — they’re meant for temporary installations. Maybe the Minister can clarify this for me: I think that double-walled tanks, if they’re intended to be permanent, that there indeed be a berm attached. As well, with any tanks there, we’ve got lots of unstable ground, and all the tanks should have at least the minimal flexible coupling. Can the Minister advise me of the current regulations? Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Ms. Candy Brown in the gallery today. Welcome.

I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of cutbacks to public services in Fort Simpson. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 276 signatures of Nahendeh residents. And, the petitioners request that the Legislative Assembly represent Nahendeh residents by opposing proposed layoffs in the public service that would have an economic and social impact in Fort Simpson and surrounding communities.