Adam Johnson
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 20, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Glitchy software was the source of a major headache for ministers during the opening day of legislative assembly.

Charles Dent, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, offered an apology for problems created by PeopleSoft, the software that manages payment and vacation time for GNWT employees.

"I would like to apologize to all GNWT staff for any inconvenience the upgrade may have caused them."

He attributed problems to an upgrade that "did not go as smoothly as had been anticipated."

Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen was unhappy the GNWT was unable to keep its financial books in order.

"I know our government has spent millions to ensure we have an effective and efficient system," she said. "That is definitely not what we have today."

She pointed out problems with payments going out late, employees having trouble arranging leave during the summer months and personal banking info being published.

Gameti school addition stalls

Monfwi MLA Jackson Lafferty was disappointed to learn an addition to a school in Gameti was being sent back to the drawing board.

"I personally find the proposed plans a poor excuse," he said on Wednesday.

Charles Dent, minster of Education, Culture and Employment, said the addition had to be redesigned, because the current cost was unacceptable. The price of the school had increased to $3.8 million over its initial budget of $2.8 million.

"This government can't afford to be building schools at that price," he said.

Lafferty submitted a letter from Gameti Chief Henry Gon that asked the project be brought to fruition.

"It was through no fault of our own that this project lost momentum," he said, referring to missed deadlines for construction.

Take a ride on the 'Dumpster'

Twin Lakes MLA Robert McLeod took Transportation Minister Kevin Menicoche to task last week over the condition of the Dempster Highway, calling it the "dumpster highway."

"You don't want to take your eyes off the highway, or you'll end up with a building named after you," he said to a peal of laughter in Thursday's question period.

Menicoche said his department was hard at work to improve the road, spending $35 million in the last five years, as well as $5 million in recent improvements.

"I know where that money is," McLeod replied with a laugh. "It's in the ditch."