Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, my questions would be for the next section, so I can wait.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I want to talk a bit about what's not here. Earlier we did talk a bit about some of the long-term care beds that are in this capital plan that we'll be rolling out over the next couple of years, the beds in Hay River and Inuvik. There are also some facilities in some of the communities, the small communities, communities that have maybe 400 to 600 people. One that comes to mind, of course, is Fort Resolution. Fort Resolution has the Great Elders' Facility. The Great Elders' Facility can actually accommodate four individuals living right in the main...

Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if the Minister is aware that the employment rates in the NWT run 6 to 10 per cent higher than the rest of Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a small community employment program was put in place because we have communities with employment rates below 50 per cent, below 40 per cent, some below 30 per cent, those are small communities. The communities that were added are communities that have employment rates at 60 and 70 per cent. We're trying to address employment where employment is needed most.

Why did the Minister not advise us in committee on the change that they're expanding the Small Community Employment Program, which was designed and put in place to increase employment in small...

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise why the decision was made to go beyond the small communities with this program?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to also recognize Chief Ernest Betsina. He is the chief of one of the communities that I represent, Ndilo. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise, and report progress. Thank you.

No, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Marsi cho, Mr. Chairman. Committee would like to consider Tabled Document 416-18(2), Capital Estimates, 2018-2019. We would like to include the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, go on to Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Finance. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if the Minister is aware that the small communities are represented by about 90 per cent Indigenous people.