Roger Allen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure this afternoon to recognize Frank Sambo with whom I have a long history of friendship. As well, we were team mates in the 1989 canoe race at Aklavik and the winning team. Mr. McLeod was also representing Fort Providence. As well, I’d like to recognize Mr. Frank Pope, also a fellow Inuvik resident. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee recommends that we review the Legislative Assembly main estimates.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee recommends that we continue with Bill 1, the review of Public Works and Services, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and the Executive offices to conclusion. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight met with the Premier on February 17, 2004, to review the draft 2004-2005 main estimates for the Executive offices.

The Executive offices are proposing a $983,000 decrease in operations expenses from the 2003-2004 main estimates. This is primarily due to a decrease in funding to the maximizing northern employment initiative.

A director of regional operations position was created in 2002 to assist with regional coordination in the Beaufort-Delta to prepare for the implementation of a final self-government agreement.

T...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts and dedication of Ms. Karen Polkoff of Inuvik. Ms. Polkoff is a tireless coach and a tireless volunteer with the Inuvik speed skating group. At a recent meet in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, the participants made a great deal of accomplishments which were made in recognition of Ms. Polkoff’s efforts. On behalf of my constituency, the people of Inuvik and the speed skating community, a heartfelt gratitude is extended to her for her tireless efforts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, just trying to put the college housing into perspective, and I'm looking at the glossary on page 9-27, under buildings and works, and college facilities, equipment and utilities. As you know, we have an inherent problem with student housing Inuvik, and the Blueberry Patch is kind of beyond economic repair. So I'm going to ask the department if they would consider a build to lease with some private developers who can provide the college with adequate student housing. This is the only place I can really find the appropriate areas to question the Minister on...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to, for the record, state that my background is employee relations and I was quite active with Dome Petroleum in the Beaufort in developing their labour force. One of the areas that we do need to ensure that when we talk about training programs is that we do give the trainees the opportunity to accumulate the seat time. Seat time is a common phrase used in industry in that the longer they spend on the actual job site the more seniority they get in terms of union standards. I am just going to ask again quickly if the Minister would have his officials and...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be as brief as I can. I want to centralize my discussions on a small component of the Minister’s statement in the career development and maximizing northern employment. I will readdress this in the response he provided me in the Oral Question 10-15(2) in part by employment opportunities. In paragraph three, he said in September of 2003 the Government of the Northwest Territories organized labour groups to begin discussions about the construction of the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline. It speaks a bit about a meeting with the northern pipeline projects...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for replying to my questions. Quickly, in a similar context, can you make a distinction between what the Tlicho taxation agreement applies to the overall process of what would be so different from what I am asking the Minister? Thank you.