Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, in the Northwest Territories it's a growing economy. We have unprecedented economic growth, and obviously we are not prepared. The word and the discussion that we have with different aboriginal governments is that there's lack of capacity. There is need to build capacity in communities. This is an area where we, as a government, provide programs through MNE -- the maximizing northern employment initiatives. We do a number of different programs out there to try to develop the expertise in the communities, although there are overwhelming opportunities out there in some communities and in some communities they don't have that opportunity. However, our task in these communities is to provide the programs and services. We have a number of people; a couple of people, I think, in Lutselk'e. We have two contract crews and fire crews. We also have regular visits by the regional staff. I think there is good communication with the chief and band of Lutselk'e to see any way we can help. Again, we work with the community governments to identify if they need additional resources to do the different things that they want to do. I think that's what we've been doing. If we can do it more efficiently, then I would like to hear it and pass it on to the department, and perhaps we could do a lot better than what we have. But our intention here is to continue to work with the regions, and keep instructing the regions to respond to what the community needs are and what the communities are asking them to do. Thank you.
Jim Antoine on Bill 3: Appropriation Act, 2003-2004
In the Legislative Assembly on March 5th, 2003. See this statement in context.
Bill 3: Appropriation Act, 2003-2004
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 4th, 2003
Page 525
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
See context to find out what was said next.