Masi. All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand. All those in favour, 17; opposed, zero; abstentions, zero. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Masi. Reports of standing and special committee. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Minister of Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Blake on Friday, October 14, 2016, regarding power connection to modular housing unit in Tsiigehtchic.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has increased the number of market housing units in small communities to meet the housing needs of critical community workers essential to the governance and safety of our residents, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and nurses. In the community of Tsiigehtchic, two new market housing units have been constructed and are ready for occupancy, which include having the necessary utility connections, such as power, needed to operate a home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome Mr. John Kidder to the Gallery. I had the pleasure of dining with him last night. He lives in Ashcroft, British Columbia, and he spent the first four and a half years of his life in Yellowknife so he's visiting our community and geting refreshed. Thank you.

Masi. Welcome to the Chamber. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 7, acknowledgements. Since we have gone through a detailed report the chair will call for a short recess. Masi.

---SHORT RECESS

Welcome back to the Chamber, Members. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today you heard about what is happening in Wrigley with their negotiated contract for the highways. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please provide the House with the department's definition of capacity building as it pertains to contracts? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Transportation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Capacity building focuses on developing the skills and knowledge and abilities required to increase community workforce and capacity and also project readiness.

I thank the Minister for his answer. Mr. Speaker, in the Deh Cho Drum, the Minister of Transportation commented: "Since 2005, the department helped build capacity through a range of negotiated contracts." Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please provide the House with some of the training the department offered to help build capacity in Wrigley since this time?

Yes, since 2005, we have done a number of initiatives with Wrigley. The contract staff has helped out with marine training for ferry operations in the region and, also, the department has offered air-side vehicle operation permanent training as well as nine-day summer maintenance and nine-day winter maintenance training programs through the Department of MACA.

Mahsi cho to the Minister for his answer. Mr. Speaker, we are in a riding that understands the importance of verbal commitments. Can the Minister confirm that he will honour the verbal commitments made by the department or the senior public servants to this community?

I'm not aware of any verbal commitments made by the department.

Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for his answer. It's very disappointing that we heard very loud and clear at the meeting that there was a verbal commitment, but will the Minister commit to meet with the chief and council to discuss this and other important transportation issues with this community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Transportation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our department staff have met with the local community on many occasions, and, moving forward, we are always willing to engage with communities that want to discuss opportunities with the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this morning I spoke of an escape at the North Slave Correctional Centre. Mr. Speaker, what corrective actions have been taken to close the physical gap in security measures at the facility? Those questions are to the Minister of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, I can advise this House that the department and myself took this matter very seriously. A critical incident report was prepared, and I also will be meeting with committee tomorrow evening, I believe. I can give a fuller answer at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.