Yellowknife (Oct 10/03) - Employment minister Jake Ootes announced Wednesday that the government will assist the workers affected by the closure of Con Mine.

Ootes said his department and Human Resources Canada are working together to provide assistance to the laid-off workers through information sessions.

"These sessions highlight the options available to people for retraining, upgrading, work search skills, student financial assistance, self-employment option, apprenticeship training and training on the job," he said.

MLA Sandy Lee feels that the government should also consider hiring the laid-off workers as clean-up crew at the mine, which she said would make the transition easier.

Hot stuff

Yellowknife's fire department has been recognized for its hard work with the 2003 community fire service merit award.

The award recognizes the efforts of the fire department and the entire community in improving the local fire protection system.

Individual fire service merit award recipients for 2003 are Al Kuyten of the Norman Wells fire department and Robert Ansdell of the Tsiigehtchic fire department.

Almost law

The Youth Justice Act passed final reading and will more than likely be enacted as law in the NWT before the dissolution of the 14th legislative assembly.

Justice minister Roger Allan said the government must take an integrated approach to ensuring the new law will work in the NWT.

He said the major focus is on diversion of young offenders rather than incarceration, and added there will be an emphasis on community-based solutions."I feel very positive and I think it will work," said Allan.

Left in the dark

Some MLAs are questioning why cabinet changed policy without discussing the idea with the MLAs.

Charles Dent and Brendan Bell challenged minister Joe Handley on the decision to transfer responsibility of 25 housing units from the financial management board secretariat to the NWT Housing Corporation.

Handley said the decision was made in June to meet the housing needs in non-market communities and allow the housing corporation to rent the units to the public on a non-subsidized basis.

Dent and Bell said the idea may work, but said no information was presented to the standing committee responsible for oversight and they will not have an opportunity for input.