Tsiigehtchic is expected to get its own wildlife officer by the end of October.
Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Robert C. McLeod. made the announcement on Sept. 26 in the legislative assembly, after Mackenzie Delta MLA Frederick Blake Jr. detailed a number of concerns about animals entering the community and alarming residents.
SA国际影视传媒淛ust last month, wolves came into town and attacked and killed two dogs,SA国际影视传媒 said Blake Jr. SA国际影视传媒淔ortunately, no people have been hurt, but residents are worried. Our wild visitors typically turn up in the early morning and in the evenings, when children are out walking, and it is harder to get a hold of an officer.SA国际影视传媒
Blake Jr. also wanted to know if hunters would be allowed to help take down bears in emergency situations, if it is done in a safe manner.
SA国际影视传媒淚f the community feels that there is a problem bear or one that is a threat to the community, they are able to take it down,SA国际影视传媒 said McLeod. SA国际影视传媒淚t would have to be done in a safe manner.
SA国际影视传媒淲e would like to have our wildlife officers do it, but if they are not available and there is a threat, then they would be able to take the bear down.SA国际影视传媒
Minister evasive on Aurora College questions
Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson still has concerns about Aurora College's future but he had trouble getting direct answers when he questioned the education minister Sept. 25 in the legislative assembly.
SA国际影视传媒淚'm gravely concerned that the (teacher education) and the social work programs are in peril no matter what the review process or the outcome is,SA国际影视传媒 said Thompson, referring to the two programs that were suspended earlier this year pending a review of the college.
SA国际影视传媒淭he minister has repeatedly stated that the programs have limited success but great expense and that they're not having the intended results.SA国际影视传媒
Thompson wanted to know when issues with the college's social work and teacher education programs were identified, but the education minister skirted around the question.
SA国际影视传媒淲e've gone through this discussion over time, at our last session as well, that decisions were made and we're moving forward in the best interests of students,SA国际影视传媒 said Education, Culture and Employment Minister Alfred Moses.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think we've had this discussion long enough that decisions were made.SA国际影视传媒
Thompson prodded the minister further about what was done to address concerns about the two programs, but the MLA stated that he still didn't get an answer.
SA国际影视传媒淎urora College and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment continue to work together on a regular basis to review programs,SA国际影视传媒 Moses responded. SA国际影视传媒淚'm going to continue to do that work.SA国际影视传媒
On both Sept. 26 and 27, tension was high between Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Tom Beaulieu and the minister during discussions over small community employment programming.
Frame Lake MLA Kevin O'Reilly then expressed dissatisfaction with the minister's replies to questions on universal childcare when he raised the issue Sept. 27.
The minister did state he is committed to SA国际影视传媒渋mproving the accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity of childcare in the Northwest Territories.SA国际影视传媒
He detailed some of the work that's been done around junior kindergarten, early childhood development and creating daycare facilities in some of the small communities.
Money could be lost in power generator SA国际影视传媒渂oondoggleSA国际影视传媒
Money spent on four new power generators that have failed to appear in the NWT may have to be written off.
That's according to justice minister Louis Sebert, who faced questions from Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne on Sept. 27 in the legislative assembly.
SA国际影视传媒淐learly, Virdi Power would be responsible for these costs if they have breached the contract,SA国际影视传媒 said Sebert. SA国际影视传媒淩ealistically speaking, it may be that that is not a likely option to recover our money.SA国际影视传媒
In 2015, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation contracted California company Virdi Power to deliver four generators at the cost of $2.5 million.
A $1 million deposit was paid to the company, but the generators never materialized.
SA国际影视传媒淲hen are we going to actually cut this loose?SA国际影视传媒 Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne asked the minister. SA国际影视传媒淲hen are we going to stop costing ratepayers and taxpayers more and more money every day on this particular boondoggle that has obviously gone off the rails?SA国际影视传媒
Backup equipment is currently being used and is costing residents, he said.
The justice minister said he does not want to cut the deal loose SA国际影视传媒渦nless there appears to be no hope at all of getting these generators.SA国际影视传媒
At that point, there would have to be an RFP for new generators, he said.