Robert C. McLeod

We are always trying to improve the delivery of our programs. We do evaluations every so often and this could be one of the things that we could have a look at and if there’s an opportunity there to change the process so we deliver our programs a lot quicker, more efficiently and have everything on the ground sooner, then I’ll commit to the Member that we’ll look into that. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the application process that’s going through right now, we’re hoping to have all these folks approved as soon as possible, so then the ordering of the materials can start, so it would fit into the scenario that the Member mentioned, because it is a concern as to the lateness of some of these contracts being started and we are taking steps to ensure that we’re out there quick and the work can get done a lot quicker than it is now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this whole situation has left a bad taste in all of our mouths and a bad taste across the Northwest Territories and it’s unfortunate. As much as we have our views on certain things and as much as we don’t like the situation, Mr. Hughes is a man of great integrity in my opinion. Therefore, the motion is very simple. It just says that the report of the sole adjudicator be accepted and that’s what I intend to do today, is vote for the report of the sole adjudicator to be accepted. Thank you.

Most communities do have an action plan and, as I said, we are always willing to work with the communities. If the communities came to us and said we need help in trying to develop something, we are willing to go there and work with them. But for us to go and say you are going to do this and you are going to do that, we always leave the onus up to the community and then we will work with any community that requires our assistance. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do know that there is some funding available to some of the communities that do provide emergency services. We always want to improve the services that are delivered and if communities come forward with a good action plan, then we are always willing to sit down and hear what the communities are saying.

As far as the funding goes, that’s an issue that is going to need to be worked out if it falls within their community. I spoke to the Member previous. There is the gas tax money. Disaster mitigation is one of the criteria that is allowed under this pot of...

Mr. Speaker, we do take the safety of the residents in the Northwest Territories very seriously. I’ll make that point quite clear. The seven communities that are in question here, there are a couple of them that have said that they’re not planning on 911 at this particular time. The one I spoke to in particular said they’re looking to enhance their own emergency services before they go to the next step of implementing 911.

The communities have it within their means to provide this service. Obviously it’s an important service for the city, because they initiated the report -- and I commend them...

Mr. Speaker, usually the process is they would fill out an application for each program that they apply to. The only one that I know of that they don’t have to apply to every year -- their name is basically kept on the list -- is the Seniors Preventative Home Maintenance Program. Once they’re on that list, then they would just continue to receive the service year after year. But as far as I know, they do have to apply for each particular program. The Member is correct, though, the senior’s income usually doesn’t change very much and we may have to take that into consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member makes a valid point and I think it’s a concern that we’ve heard on a few occasions. If there is an issue with the fact that some of the elders in his riding are unable to understand the letters, then I think we can work with the band or whoever we need to, to make sure they have a very good understanding of the letters so then they’d be able to respond back to the department. Thank you.

The Member is correct; the communities do have the option of hiring whoever they want to assist with their project, and that funding does come out of the capital money that’s advanced to the community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When a community has a project that they are working on, they require assistance from MACA. Our regional staff will go into the community at their request and assist them in working out their capital plans and also advising them of funding and anything else, any other help that they might need, then the community would take it from there. We are available from the regional office to assist the communities. Thank you.