Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to make special mention to the Nahendeh constituents. One to Debora McPherson for achieving over four years for certification in accounting. The past weekend, I had the distinction of watching the mixed adult broomball team that came second in the NWT broomball championships. After 17 years, we have achieved a medal there. As well, I watched the 16 and under Thomas Simpson school wolf pack basketball team that earned silver in the prestigious cager annual basketball tournament. I just want to add that Teyan Menicoche was most valuable...

I move that we report progress.

In fact, in all of our policies and guidelines, of the key words missing is quality construction. We are making it adequate. We are making it accessible and affordable, but the biggest single concern that is brought to my attention time and time again is quality; quality in construction and, indeed, quality in providing the services and programming that the people have. Often, they get frustrated with the multi-layered bureaucracies that even the one department has.

Mr. Speaker, some of the functions that were there before are no longer there anymore. Once, in the act, it called for a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Members of this and previous assemblies have expressed concerns about the extent and quality of reporting by the NWT Housing Corporation to the Legislative Assembly and the resulting impact on the ability of committees to perform their oversight function;

AND WHEREAS Members and the Auditor General of Canada have expressed concerns with certain business activities and decisions of the NWT Housing Corporation;

AND WHEREAS there is a critical need for adequate, accessible and affordable housing in NWT communities;

AND WHEREAS Members are not confident that the NWT...

Good Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one more time, will the Minister conduct an assessment? He said he would bring it to the attention of his officials, but I was just looking to see that he will conduct an assessment soon. I am sure there are some leases coming up here shortly as well. Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to get that clarified because there are lots of misconceptions out there, especially, like I said, in the small communities who depend…Our hybrid vehicle is the four-by-four.

---Laughter

Just with that, is the government even looking at hybrids themselves before they start forcing other people to move to smaller vehicles? Thank you.

Just with respect to the article in the Yellowknifer on Wednesday, March 1st, with respect to gas guzzlers may pay more for registration. Which means that the larger vehicles, of which I have lots in my constituencies in the communities, we need those larger vehicles, they’re saying that because people own larger vehicles that their cost of registration will be that much more. Is this true, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Gaylene Oskenekisses from Wrigley, as well, and welcome all her classmates. Mahsi.

---Applause

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay, be appointed Acting Speaker for the remainder of the session.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee wishes to consider Committee Report 8-15(4).