This is page numbers 5135 - 5160 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was work. View the webstream of the day's session.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

No, that was to the community corporation to help provide for some tourism facilities and products to deal with the influx of tourists brought on by the opening of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Nakimayak.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, I notice that, this fall, there will be construction to the Tlicho all-season road. I don't think it's the government's fault, but the planning for visitor centres and things like that, to prepare a community for such infrastructure, I'm looking forward that hopefully there are a lot of lessons learned from the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway construction project going to Tlicho so that they are better prepared as they open infrastructure like that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. If the Premier could respond. Premier.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you. Yes, in this case, it was viewed as a one-off, and it was strongly suggested to us that we shouldn't be providing one-offs, so in future our expectation is it will be dealt with through the main project funding. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Anything further?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

No, thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the Premier.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to ask the Premier if this is the correct area to be talking about the expansion of the Single Window Service Centres. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Premier.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

I think it would be more properly dealt with through the section on regional operations, but if the Member wants to talk about it now, that would be fine, as well.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. If it's found in regional operations, I suggest we -- where would the regional operations be found? I don't see an activity called "regional operations." All right, we'll discuss it here. Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

I see that, on the line "regional operations," I guess that's where the single service is. I just have a question on if there is any thought or discussion or plan to expand to Detah? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Premier.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess the original idea for service officers was to help serve the most remote, isolated communities. Detah is, I guess, in the wintertime it's five minutes away, so I expect that, at some point, if resources are available, we would look at it. Detah is only five minutes away from all of the government services in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes. I remember the concept of Single Window Service Centres. I agree that it is remote. Surprisingly, it appears as though there could really be a need for it in Detah. Also, it appears as though, if we had a Single Window Service Centre in Detah, it is almost like the YK Dene would look at that to also service the people in Ndilo. I thought about this a lot. I am thinking that, even due to language, a lot of this service is directed to the elders, and some of the elders prefer to get their services in their own language. As people may know, I speak one of the languages that the elders use but not both. I am wondering, to take a look at it, maybe for language reasons and also for the fact that, even though Detah is close, like I said, it appears as though they are still not coming into Yellowknife to get the services that Yellowknife people will gather throughout the city. I know that this is so that it could bring all the GNWT services into a single window. Again, I would like to ask the Premier if they would at least look at it to see if, like he said, there is extra money in the future that they could put into this, that Detah wouldn't be completely out of getting it, if there is absolutely no possibility of them getting a Single Window Service Centre in their community. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5144

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Premier.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5145

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In my mind, there are two ways to deal with it. Probably the easiest one would be if we had additional resources and Detah popped up as a top priority. Probably, that would be the best way to go. A more complicated way is to look at how we provide bilingual services. We pay bilingual employees extra money to provide services in their Aboriginal languages. We have interpreters at work. Maybe it is better to just focus on communities who speak the language. Right now, my preference would be to see if we can find additional resources to see if we can do something for Detah. There are some communities where we are offering GSOs and they don't want it. Maybe we could look at moving some, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5145

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Nothing further from Mr. Beaulieu. Next, Mr. O'Reilly.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5145

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think Regular MLAs have been asking for three years, this will be the fourth year, if there is a plan to complete the Single Window Service Centres, GSOs, or similar functions for all of the communities of the Northwest Territories. Is there such a plan, and can the Minister share it with the Regular MLAs? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5145

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Premier.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5145

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you. We responded to committee by letter on February 11th. That is our approach to dealing with this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5145

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5145

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Sorry. I didn't quite hear what the Premier said. If he could provide an explanation, that would be helpful. Thanks, Mr. Chair.