Roger Allen

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.

Mr. Speaker, I’m quite surprised that the Minister won’t consider introducing this type of methodology to try to eradicate some of these problems. As we see, direct monies are flowing to aboriginal groups in many instances, as well as northern institutions. I’m asking the Minister again, would he consider in the context of this question introducing such a taxation mechanism to assist this government to see if they can cost-share some of the many expensive programs that we’re currently indentured to deliver? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will remain consistent with the theme of my Member’s statements for this week, using wording that is complimentary to the federal budget address. Although the document acknowledges that much of the funding will not be administered through the Government of the Northwest Territories, this still gives my constituency much relief; the federal government will, once again, make a large investment in supporting a social economy in the North. It is nice to read that the federal budget provides new pilot program funding for the social economy and community economic...

Thank you. I'm raising a question there, Mr. Chairman, under the glossary of the buildings and works. I'm going to ask again, just to repeat for the benefit of the Minister, would the department now consider that since the Blueberry Patch is beyond economical repair, if they would consider engaging under a long-term lease agreement with some private developers who can provide adequate and affordable student housing for the Aurora Campus? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to speak to something that has been on people's minds in my riding for many, many years, and I think it's time I have an opportunity to speak to it.

In terms of our value system, there seems to be a conflict between what we call a land-based economy versus a commerce-based economy. Unfortunately, as we, if I may use the word politely, Mr. Chairman, have been marginalized, we tend to deal with on an ongoing basis of those who are on income support. The difficulty seems to lie in the way we manage the transitional change or the stages which we go through....

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the Minister because I think he gave an overview of what the level of expectations are along the valley. I think the important point I want to make in my final comments, Mr. Chairman, is that I think we need to take a more proactive role, and talk to not only the unions, but also the private sector, and try to develop a strategic plan that would ensure that we do begin to train the employables on actual pipeline construction sites so they will be prepared from a skill level to participate in the actual project. I believe it is not harmful.

If I may go...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee recommends that we review the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, and we review them until the conclusion of that department. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask a question to the Minister and his officials. Would someone who has self-generation be eligible for a subsidy out of this power subsidy program? That will be my final question to the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.