Has the contract been let to do the renovation in regard to the Shell Lake bunkhouse? I see there’s $300,000 in regard to your Infrastructure Acquisition Plan, but I don’t believe we’ve approved it here yet. I’m just wondering: has that contract been let, and has the contract been awarded?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That funding, I believe, was approved in the interim appropriation. I think the planning is underway. I don’t think they’ve let any of the contracts or that they’ve actually started doing the work, though.

Just in regard to the contract, didn’t the deputy just state that the lease is up in June? Realistically, if the contract hasn’t been let and

you’ve got this amount of work to do, plus you have to relocate the office — move all the equipment and everything — I think you’re probably talking a couple of months here. Could I have a clear understanding on a date we’re hoping to get this work done by, having it relocated, and also exactly what the cost of that move is going to be?

The deputy indicated that we have an arrangement with the landlord that will give us some time. The work being done to the bunkhouses does not interfere with the move of the administration piece and the operation for the regional office. It’s going to be done with existing resources. There are monies, we’ve indicated in the budget, to repair the bunkhouses. We’re going to be moving as quickly as we can, and we have the goodwill of the landlord to give us some extra time should we need it.

Again, getting back to the service side of the department responsibility, we do have responsibility in regard to the different types of programs and whatnot. What do the residents of the Mackenzie Delta or Inuvik have to do to get that service? Do they all have to drive out to Shell Lake now to receive that service? I know you’ve mentioned there’s going to be a storefront, but there are still other types of services that have to be offered that are presently by way of programs this department administers. I’d just like to know: are people going to be reimbursed for the extra cost they have to incur by way of driving out there and, vice versa, your employees?

Mr. Chairman, the storefront in downtown Inuvik will be the point of contact for Inuvik residents so that it’s convenient. There will be arrangements made if there’s a requirement for a specific service. That will be sorted out with the staff in the storefront, and then arrangements will be made to make sure that service is available so as not to inconvenience Inuvik residents. If they have the capacity and they want to drive to Shell Lake, that would be fine. If there are other limitations, then we will be clearly bringing the service. Whoever they need to see, arrangements will be made so that that service is available.

Again, I think that most of our harvesters don’t have that kind of money to throw around by way of having to go all the way out to Shell Lake to try to sell their furs and also being able to deal with wondering where their fur cheques are and whatnot. As a government I think we have a responsibility to realize that there are individuals we have to provide services for who aren’t too well off.

I’d just like to know: will the government be providing transportation or subsidies to these

individuals? Since you’re the one who’s being an inconvenience to the public, basically, for the sake of comfort of your staff, I think something should be done to ensure the public is being somehow compensated for having this move imposed on them. You always had a presence in the downtown core of Inuvik, and now you don’t.

Mr. Chairman, we recognize the issue raised by the Member, and we will be taking all of the appropriate steps with this storefront operation and other supports to ensure the Inuvik residents aren’t inconvenienced by the move.

Thank you,

Mr. Miltenberger. Anything further? Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With the reductions of staff in this area, I was wondering if the Minister could demonstrate to me what process they went through to do that specific evaluation and then further reduction on the staff members. How many staff members in this specific unit are we losing by title?

Thank you,

Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you,

Mr. Chairman. The whole department was looked at with the same process we talked about earlier in terms of being thorough and making sure we can still provide the services and trying to be as balanced as we can, recognizing that there are, clearly, some areas where we still require work.

I’ll ask Ms. Magrum to give the Member the details about the positions in this particular program area.

Thank you,

Mr. Miltenberger. Ms. Magrum.

For my record, are these staffed at this time?

Thank you,

Ms. Magrum. Anything further, Mr. Hawkins?

No. I’ll accept that at this time.

Thank you,

Mr. Hawkins. Any further questions on page 11-13? Mr. Hawkins.

From our briefing information I see that it looks like there was a reduction of travel in this particular area. I’m just trying to see where it’s reflected under the extended details under expenses under Corporate Management. Is it there?

For my understanding, would they be able to explain the internal reallocation? Was that other travel money all combined in one pool, or was it just leftover money that didn’t sort of have a specific title?