Thank you,

Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bohnet.

Thank you for that commitment. Thank you for the information. I do have a lot of interest in the fire suppression reductions as well, but I know there are other Members who are a lot keener on those particular questions. Rather than repeating ourselves, I won’t ask any more questions. I would like once again to thank you for the clear and concise answers. It’s nice to get answers for a change.

Thank you,

Mr. Abernethy. Not hearing a question there, I’ll move to Mr. Krutko.

In regard to the Inuvik positions, there are seven positions being lost there. Like I commented earlier, there’s a position in Fort McPherson that’s been let go. This individual made a career of this, working for forestry

every summer.

I’d just like to know: what’s the reason behind that position? What’s the title of that position? Why does it have to be let go?

Mr. Minister.

There are fire crew positions that were vacant as well. There are a number of interns as well; the one in Fort McPherson is an ’09–10 proposal.

As I stated, this individual worked there every summer, and I think it’s important those positions that can be retained. Again, the process that was used is something I have questions about.

I would just like to know exactly, with the number of so-called specialist positions…. What’s the cost to implement those specialist positions in Yellowknife compared to doing away with the regional positions, seasonal positions? It sounds like you’ve got all this so-called high-priced help being implemented at the headquarters level, but you’re getting rid of the people who depend on the seasonal employment to get them through the winter.

The nine fire crews were roughly $1.229 million. The six positions added to Yellowknife.… I don’t know if we have the number, but it would be in the order of, I assume, $600,000.

Then what’s the number of fire crew individuals being let go in regard to the $1.2 million?

There are five members per crew, I believe, in the standard fire crew, so that would be 45 seasonals. There were another four in Inuvik that were on the GNWT payroll, but they were all vacant.

I’d like to point out — I’ll maybe get Mr. Bohnet to give the details — that almost half of the crews were vacant or asked to have their contract taken back because they didn’t have staff. But, once again, with your indulgence, I’ll get Mr. Bohnet to speak a bit more.

Thank you,

Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bohnet.

So in order to get rid of 45 individuals, you’re saving $1.2 million. But basically to put six

positions in Yellowknife, it’s going to cost us $600,000. I think that’s kind of ironic that you’re getting six positions for $600,000, but you’re doing away with 45 individuals’ careers by way of these contracts.

Again, I hear the Minister saying, Well, there were only two fire responses last year. Talking to the people in my riding, this is the earliest fire season they’ve ever had. They’re seeing more lightning strikes in the Inuvik region. This is June; we’re already seeing major activity by way of lightning strikes. Fire is starting earlier. Fire season usually runs to the end of August. So I think just assuming, Well, we didn’t have it in the past…. I think, if anything, with global warming we’re going to see more fires than we’ve ever seen before in history. I think people could not assume, Well, they only responded to two fires, so let’s get rid of them. That’s a bad way of dealing with the issue in regard to these positions.

The Inuvik region has gone down from 46 positions last year to 39 positions. I’d just like to know: exactly what are those positions in the Inuvik region?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I seek a bit of clarification from the Member. Does he want to know what the 39 positions in the Beaufort-Delta are? Or did he want to know the seven positions that have been eliminated?

Thank you. Clarification, Mr. Krutko.

I’d just like to know the seven positions that have been let go.

There were four fire crew members. There was an intern wildlife technician, an intern renewable resource officer and an intern wildlife biologist.

The wildlife biologist: is that the one that deals with the polar bear issue, in regard to that research?

I’ll pass it on.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Moving next to Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’ll be very brief, just following up on some comments made by my colleague from Mackenzie Delta. The four fire crew and three interns — out of these seven, how many of them are aboriginal?

Thank you,

Mr. McLeod. Mr. Miltenberger.