Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 15, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009, on May 25, 2009. This bill makes minor changes to 18 statutes in the Northwest Territories. A non-substantive amendment was made to the bill by committee motion and with the concurrence of the Minister. Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 15, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. This concludes committee’s opening comments...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 2, Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act, on May 25, 2009. Bill 2 will allow for the adoption of the convention on the Settlement on Investment Disputes between States and National of Other States. The Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act will allow parties to use the rules for arbitration or conciliation under this convention to settle disputes that deal with international investments. The use of the convention is voluntary, however, once the parties have agreed...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister advise me if, in the transfer of the capital plan, the Government of the NWT has considered in the capital plan that there will be a need for replacement of assets or purchase of new assets for the work that the community would have to do in the future? Thank you.

I would like to ask the Minister if there is a preventive maintenance program in place for all of the assets, including mobile equipment, that are being transferred from the department or from the GNWT to communities. Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Today I would like to speak about the transfer of government assets to communities. More specifically, the transfer of government-owned buildings and government-owned mobile equipment, and the transfer of resources that supports the operation and maintenance of these assets under the New Deal with the Department of MACA.

With respect to government-owned buildings, I am talking about an evaluation of the deferred maintenance and the development of a schedule for preventive maintenance program, mid-life retrofits, and the realistic...

I understand. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 5, Professional Corporations Act, on January 16, 2009. The committee thanks the witnesses, Ms. Linda Whitford of the NWT Law Society and Mr. Robert O’Rourke, for their participation. The committee also thanks the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

Mr. Chairman, the bill allows members of certain professions to incorporate. In addition, the governing bodies of these professions are enabled to create bylaws or rules regarding the professional corporations. Members of a profession...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I wish to update the Lutselk’e constituents of various items that I have been working on as MLA. I will do Fort Resolution tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, home initiative programs of Lutselk’e has been a major issue in Lutselk’e especially for the senior homeowners. However, the NWT Housing Corporation has received an additional $50 million to put into infrastructure and housing across the Northwest Territories. I am confident that Lutselk’e will see a positive impact from that.

Mr. Speaker, dust continues to be one of my top priorities and I will continue to come up with...

I guess I think that‘s the only communications or transportation link into Lutselk’e. They don’t get a winter road or all-season road. They get in materials and other things by barge once a year or twice a year, depending on what they’re bringing into Lutselk’e. Airports are very important. They get two or three flights a day into Lutselk’e. I think if we’re going to try to get communities to be on their own as much as possible in the future where we’re trying to increase the market viability of communities, I think it’s essential that the department look at the only real transportation link...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to proceed with, continue with the main estimates review of Transportation and then to Tabled Document 17-16(3), Supplementary Appropriation No. 3, 2008-2009, and if there is any time left after that, we would like to get into Municipal and Community Affairs. Thank you.