Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much. It’s kind of like a big community motion built on using the word small communities, but I am going to support it, but only because it’s a recommendation at this point. Of course, committee will be wanting to have full discussion with government on it and I will look forward to further details as we move along on this motion.

Mr. Chair, under corporate management, of course they have the responsibility of finance and capital planning. I know that this is our operation and maintenance budget, but schools in our small communities ought to be a priority. I’m pleased that we finished building the big schools in the big communities. I really feel that it’s time to turn our attention while we can before there’s another issue in a larger community. Let’s try to get some of these older schools in the smaller communities built and those that don’t have any, like I’ve been making a case for Trout Lake. It is more of a...

Mr. Chair, that is a good explanation for that. Liquor Commission agency expenses are up by $1 million over the last couple of years, maybe could we get an explanation for that?

I thank the Minister. I think it might be the Standing Committee on Government Operations that takes the lead over finances. Perhaps at that time we can invite as many Members as we can to that briefing. I’m glad for that commitment because this is almost becoming a department that we almost need a deputy minister here for. It has taken on a life of its own. I have checked with my colleagues to try to find out more, so here’s a good opportunity while we’re doing the budget. I’m glad for the commitment and I’ll be interested to see where government wants to go with this department. It continues...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Sometimes we create creatures in our government that takes on a life of its own. I share the concerns of my colleagues and feel that the program review office has created a life of its own. I really want to sit down with the Minister and do what the motion calls for. Let’s review this. Let’s review the intention of this program review office and get back to the original intention, which was to try to find efficiencies and better ways of doing things in government. That’s all the motion calls for, so I will be supporting it. Thank you.

I look forward to the information from the Minister. Does our government fund activities or have any resources that can assist with MADD Canada or its student counterpart, SADD Canada, or any of our groups here in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to ask some questions on behalf of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving contingent in Fort Simpson. These questions are for the Minister of Transportation.

What is the department doing to tackle the high rates of impaired driving in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Just in terms of capital planning, I know that we review that in the fall time, so what is the time frame of continuing to press forward with the capital planning for small schools like Trout Lake? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, that’s fine. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to rise today to commend coaches, sponsors and organizers for hosting the Paul Stipdonk Memorial Soccer Tournament in Fort Simpson last weekend. Paul Stipdonk was a long-time Northerner and teacher in Fort Simpson. Paul loved working with the youth in the sport of soccer. He spent many hours of his personal time coaching, fundraising, refereeing, organizing and developing new tournaments and travelling to events.

With Paul’s passing away this past August, the Mackenzie Recreation Association asked the family if they could rename the...