Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have some opening comments. Mr. Chairman, I’m pleased to be here today to discuss Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act. This bill proposes three amendments to the Public Service Act to simplify human resource management for the benefit of our employees.

A range of legislation, policy, Collective Agreement terms and conditions of employment, human rights and labour law governs human resource management in the public service. This provides a transparent, balanced approach to ensure employees and managers understand their responsibilities and rights.

Through...

Again, although we’re not contemplating any change in this area or asking for a change or bringing an LP forward asking for a change in this area, I will have Ms. MacNeil explain the process to try to provide some comfort to the Members. There is a lengthy process that we go through in order to make these appointments.

I should indicate that to navigable waters is not the responsibility of the Government of the Northwest Territories; however, we want to see success, as well, when we are shipping items and fuel down the Mackenzie River, so we will participate as the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Services, we will participate in any discussions, but I can’t direct NTCL to have discussions with the communities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The money would be carried over to the next year.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I do.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The responsibility for navigable waters and dredging and so on in any of the waters is the responsibility of the federal government. However, we have invited NTCL, the main carrier that goes from Hay River up the Mackenzie along the Arctic Coast to participate in our multi-modal Transportation Strategy.

As far as the docks go, we used to receive money for docks. We don’t receive that anymore. We do put some money into docks through our Community Access Program and help some small communities with docks.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With me today is the deputy minister of the Department of Transportation, Mr. Russell Neudorf.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we head into this year’s heating season, I would like to take this opportunity to update Members on the energy conservation work that the Department of Public Works and Services has been doing.

As Members know, with our northern environment, energy conservation and management are important elements in controlling costs and supporting effective and efficient program delivery in all communities of the Northwest Territories. Our government’s investments in energy efficiency and alternative energy solutions are reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, lowering our...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have been working with the community. We approved a substantial chunk of the Access Program money for the purchase of a bridge that will span the Willow River, and now we are reviewing a proposal for an ATV trail and also a proposal for the insulation of the bridge. Thank you.

[English translation not provided.] Mr. Speaker, building a safe and effective transportation system is vital to support the development of a sustainable economy and meeting the social needs of NWT residents. Goals identified by Members of the 17th Assembly express the significance of improving transportation services across the NWT to reduce the cost of living in communities and to create employment and business opportunities for residents.

To this end, the Department of Transportation is updating its NWT Transportation Strategy to guide further development of our integrated air, road, rail...