Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just going to ask a question within this activity here. I know I raised it, and we're all quite aware of the Fort Good Hope construction investment that's underway and mobilization of materials for construction of the centre during this winter road season.

Is the department having discussions to form some dialogue on how to support the project which will ultimately produce modular homes which we know is a crisis throughout the territories? And I guess quite simply, Mr. Chair, is the department having discussions with the leadership in Fort Good Hope? Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Is there going to be renewed funding in this budget for that shelter in Fort Good Hope through Northern Pathways? Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister help me out here -- and maybe it's not this department that is providing the assistance there for the Fort Good Hope shelter, but is there another program that is in partnership in funding contributions to that shelter in Fort Good Hope or another department? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Peter Clarkson. Peter and I have known each other in his role, capacity, as a regional director. So it goes quite back -- way back, so. And also, I'd like to recognize our staff and Mayor Frank Pope from Norman Wells and Cathy Clarke, the SAO for the town of Norman Wells. Mahsi, and welcome to the Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to add to the motion I just tabled.

In recent months, I have brought forward many concerns regarding the town of Norman Wells. The situation is dire, climate change impacts are very real, as we see with the rising food and heating costs and the impacts on the overall cost of living and conducting business. I am thankful to the Ministers within this Cabinet that I have met with myself and other leadership to discuss these issues. However, the outlook remains break.

Norman Wells, for example, on this winter road resupply, which is an annual one, has...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for that information, that reply. My next question to the Minister is there are federal programs and industry partnerships that could further enhance trades training in the NWT. What steps is ECE taking to maximize these opportunities and create training opportunities in communities? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, trades training: Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting and prosperous initiative in all sectors and more importantly capacity building readiness for our regions and communities.

Mr. Speaker, allow us to go where the puck is going to be. This prepares our game position for workforce capitalization and community qualified service providers. Mr. Speaker, we, the GNWT, have the authorities, together with supporting resources, programs, community labour market plans, options for our federal counterparts to support their programs. Mr. Speaker, the tools in our toolbox...

Thank you, Madam Chair. My only question on this activity is on the per unit operating costs, we have 2900 housing units here. What is the operating monthly cost per unit? I know it fluctuates here and differs from community to community depending on items like fuel, for example, but I think historically we were in the neighbourhood of $1,275 for the operating costs of one unit. Can the Minister explain. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I too am hopeful and optimistic on a good news reply.

My third question to the Minister is workforce development also requires tracking results and making improvements as needed. How will ECE measure the success of trades training programs to ensure they work for the residents? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement on trades training, my questions are to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. What is ECE doing to ensure that trades training is tailored to regional and communities' specific labour market needs? Thank you.