Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Subsequent to the Member's question in the House and my response to him that he has referred to, I heard from the Federation of Labour and they offered to meet with me to discuss this issue. I have accepted that offer and indicated to them that I am prepared to meet to carry on these discussions. I am purely confident that unions will understand that northerners expect to see significant northern involvement in employment in the construction of pipelines in the North, and I think it is incumbent on us, through the Minister of RWED, to negotiate a good agreement that involves benefits, including employment. Then we will have to make sure that we all work together, the companies, the unions and the government to make sure that we have northerners trained and ready to take on the odd jobs in the pipeline and the oil and gas sector as those jobs come up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Charles Dent on Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on March 24th, 2004. See this statement in context.
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 23rd, 2004
Page 263
See context to find out what was said next.