Bill Braden

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There is great concern recently, Mr. Speaker, with reported declines of caribou populations across the NWT and the Arctic. There are a couple of statistics here: the Bluenose West herd has dropped some 80 percent in size in the last 20 years. Mr. Speaker, the Bluenose East herd has dropped 40 percent in the last five years, and the Bathurst herd, one of the largest in the North, was reported to number 470,000 animals 20 years ago, but we are looking at a survey that was done in 2003. Their numbers are now 186,000, a 60 percent drop.

Mr. Speaker, last year, the Minister...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Briefly, this is a motion that, of course, I moved it, I'm speaking very much in favour of it. It is consistent with initiatives and efforts that all Members agree would be desirable for the efficiency and the improvement of our business. But I think, Mr. Speaker, the biggest advantage that I see in giving these new rules a try is that it will make us more accessible to the general public through the media, through the provision of doing our business more during hours that are more accessible to the public.

I remember very much the hours spent in this Assembly, Mr...

So then there is no established or procedural or formal manner of appeal or, as I say, challenge other than through the, if you will, the administrative route. There are no rules on that. I guess, given the range and the scope of authorities that are sought here, why isn’t there some kind of established route or mechanism by which I could seek redress, or appeal, or challenge something that I feel is not right? It needn’t be sophisticated, but something where I know, for instance, that I have a certain timeline. There is a definite place that I can go so that I know my case will be heard and...

Thank you for that information, Madam Chair. I won’t get into a discussion of that. I think that is outside of the bill, but I appreciate knowing how this is done.

The bill sets out quite a range of terms and authorities that the department and, of course, the airport manager needs to be able to run the place efficiently and effectively. What I wanted to probe a little bit here was the accountability of the authorities, the airport manager, to answer for and justify the kind of rules or regulations that they may set. Say in a municipality, and I guess in a very rough sense I equate the...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And reporting? The results? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, the notes that the Minister gave us in opening this discussion suggests that we will, through this, minimize the risk of sudden price increases, because right now we’re buying it on the spot market and we’re subject to all those variables. I’d like to get a sense of what kind of risk there may be in taking this new measure. Is there a down side to it? A potential for something going wrong? Could the Minister outline that for us? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll speak in favour. My position is in favour of this bill. I think if we can take advantage of a technical way of doing something better, minimizing our exposure to, as the Minister said, the volatility in any market, especially the fuel market, then it’s a good one and we should proceed with it. I guess what I’d like to do, though, Mr. Chairman, is just get a sense of the scale or the scope of the dollars that we’re talking about here. I don’t need a huge, detailed picture, but what are the volumes and perhaps the dollar values that PPD deals with on an annual...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has recently instituted a number of changes to its budget review process to improve public access, transparency and efficiency;

AND WHEREAS in recent years the sitting hours of the Legislative Assembly during the winter budget session are frequently extended;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is committed to remaining accessible and transparent to all residents;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that "designated budget days" be implemented on a provisional basis;

AND FURTHER that Monday, Tuesday and...

Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m sorry; that’s not quite what I meant in asking the question. It is where the airport authority will set out certain rules and conditions and if I am found to be in violation, what mechanism, then, do I have to seek an appeal or have my side of the story heard? This is maybe where I’m not using the right word, but that’s what I meant by accountability. If we’re exercising authority here, then where is…Okay. I will continue to use the word “accountability.” Can the public have a way of testing, and probing, and challenging where it might be required of these...