Tom Beaulieu

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, each time the GNWT decides to lay a person off, this scenario has the potential of repeating itself. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no more questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, just along the same line, that has always been a bit of point of contention for me, actually, the capital project money going into the municipalities hasn't changed since the new deal, I think. I think the money has been $28 million, and then now it's decreased for Deline, but that's actually not really a decrease because that's just a transfer.

I think the Minister's answer is trying to live within the economic realities of today, but I personally see it the opposite way. If you increase the money going into the communities, I think that it would save money...

Marci cho, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 41618(2), Capital Estimates, 20182019 with general comments, the Legislative Assembly, the Departments of Municipal and Community Affairs, Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, and Finance. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I am familiar with the staff retention policy. In fact, I mentioned one of the retention policies in my Member's statement; giving somebody 80 per cent of their salary for one year to go to school. My question is more: would the Affirmative Action Policy apply the same way when we hire individuals? We use a priority; priority one, priority two, and people who do not have a priority. I am wondering if that policy would apply when you are contemplating layoffs.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement today I talked about the layoff of GNWT staff. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance a couple of questions. In this current year of 2017-2018, have the departments of the GNWT been directed to lay off staff for reduction purposes? Thank you.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [translation not provided].

Mr. Speaker due to reductions, the layoff of staff has created real issues for people of the NWT. Several people working for the GNWT were told the GNWT no longer needs their service. Meanwhile, the GNWT continues to fill jobs. Mr. Speaker, as a hypothetical example, the GNWT places more value on hiring a young engineer from Toronto than keeping a young mother from the North in their job. This young mother serves as a key to the entire extended family. She uses her income to help her extended family. Mr. Speaker, the layoff of...

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [no translation provided]. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate the students who have graduated from high school this year in Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. In Lutselk'e, there were three who graduated; Nathan Lockhart and Curtis Lockhart, who are twins, and Ethan Catholique. In Ndilo, there were four graduates, Brent Betsina, Frank Betsina, Laveena Black, Kevin Mackeinzo. In Fort Resolution, there were eight graduates. This matched the most that had ever graduated at the Deninu School, I believe. They were Laney Beaulieu, Roger Beck, Jacob Boucher, Zachary...

Marci cho, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that we rise and report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I wanted to ask if the federal government did consult with ENR on species at risk, but I guess my question would now be: does the GNWT or ENR have equal say in whether or not they are going to place a species-at-risk designation on the various species in the NWT, specifically caribou in this case?