Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think, looking at the Main Estimates for 1992-93, looking at the departmental overview, and the mandate goals and objectives, I must say that I do not think this department is fulfilling these mandates and these goals and objectives in the communities of Jean Marie River, Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte and Wrigley. I think it does in Fort Simpson, and to an extent, in Fort Liard. As far as I am concerned, the goals are not being met, according to the way it is written in this book. I want to qualify that by saying, according to your goals the mandate is such that the department is responsible for the development of local governments, responsive and responsible to residents, with
sufficient legal authority and resources to carry out municipal responsibilities, to provide for public programs and services essential to a good community life.
I think there is an attempt by the department to do this, but there is a lot of room for improvement. I say this because, if you go into these communities, such as we did on the Standing Committee on Finance, we went to Nahanni Butte, we were told that there is a lot of room for improvement in that community. I know that you wrote me a letter, but I would like to see those things take place immediately. Why have these conditions existed this long? You have a big budget, you have the manpower, and your department should do it. Why are these communities left in the back, and left to struggle on their own?
I have been to communities in the north. It is not fair if you compare these communities to other communities in the north, it is not fair at all to these people. You are responsible for these people, and you should carry out these goals and objectives that are written down here.
According to your objectives your department is supposed to complete and implement a departmental indication and training strategy, directed at municipal councils, administration, departmental staff, education, sport and municipal governments. I would like to see this happen.
I know these four little communities are unincorporated, according to M.A.C.A. guiding principles, but they are still communities, and there are still people living there. The chief and band councils are the ones in authority there, but there is no education, and very little training strategies directed at them today. I would like to see that improved. What we need in these communities is to train the leaders, and to be aware of a lot of different issues that are coming around, so that they can deal with, and improve the communities effectively. They need their resources there, to help them out. You should see some of the, I know this is not capital, but you should see some of the equipment that they have there. They have been promised over and over again, and are repairing old run down equipment. If you send the old equipment to other communities, that are used to having new equipment, they will never accept these conditions. I would like to see a lot of improvement in this department to these four communities that I mentioned.
It may very well be because of the staff that you have in the region, that are running the show there. I think you should take a real close look at the superintendent of M.A.C.A. that you have in Fort Simpson. I know that whenever I raise a concern, and I ask for briefing notes, he sends me briefing notes, but that does not help. It may sound very well to you, but to us in the communities, it is the same thing over, and over again.
What I am requesting is that you take a real serious look at the way the personnel and the department work in my area, and I really want to see improvement in these communities. They need that. It is long overdue, and I think that it is about time that you take a real meaningful look at the way these things have been carried out in these communities, and take serious action for providing the programs and services that are outlined in your departmental mandate, goals, and objectives, then apply it right down to the letter, because it is what these communities are entitled to.
There are a lot of those specific areas that I probably would like to address, but I will wait and address them as they come up in the different activity summaries, and different tasks. That is all I have to say for my general comments for now. Mahsi.