Robert Bouchard

I am concerned with that large a number. I think the number is somewhere between 45 and 50 and I’m wondering why there are so many positions such as engineers, safety specialists that are currently in Yellowknife when Hay River is the headquarters for the NWT Power Corporation.

Thank you. With decentralization as a priority for this government, will the Minister commit to reviewing these positions and making sure that none of those positions currently could be located in Hay River?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today will be for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. In 1989 the Power Corporation moved its head office to Hay River. We’re awfully proud of that facility in Hay River.

My question is that the positions in the Hay River headquarters office have been floating slowly over to Yellowknife and other locations. I know there are currently 70 positions in Hay River, but I’m wondering if the Minister can answer how many positions are currently located in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to add something that I missed. I’d indicated that none of the three options had a complete solution. One of the areas that I have problem with is the 21 selection option. It also brings up concerns. There are still overages, so in that process we would have, at that time, problems with the Sahtu. The Sahtu would have an overage and, at that time, would we be looking, at the next go-round, to be adding 22, 23? Where does the expansion of this Legislative Assembly stop, especially when our population is not going up, it’s going down? I mean, the scenario of...

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I won’t be supporting this motion. I think we are here to make a decision. We’ve given them direction and we have some options before us. I believe we should be moving forward on this decision. This motion only clouds the decision-making before us. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Anyone else for general comments? Does committee agree we go to detail?