Bill Braden

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Perhaps that's a discussion we can have in another forum. I guess I would ask the Minister now, based on the principle, the idea that we have some $21 million in net book value in infrastructure that is, in effect, providing a subsidy to those customers. If we take the principle that government as a whole is assisting a certain category of people, despite and by virtue of where they live, and that if we're going to accept this as the kind of subsidy that our government wants to provide, then why don't we consider it in that large basket? It's more the principle...

Thank you. The scenario there was better than I might have imagined. I can only say that I do look forward to the business plan. Related to that, Mr. Chairman, are the ample signals, the very clear and loud signals that we’re getting about the anticipated increase in crime and the need for policing caused by super-development, the huge developments that we’re on the cusp of. The proponents for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline at a workshop in Inuvik in December made no bones about it that with the level of activity, the number of workers concentrated over a relatively short period of time, that...

That's right, we did it. Mr. Chairman, one thing that I think is worth keeping in mind with the petroleum products division is it's my understanding -- correct me if I'm wrong -- that while the division is mandated to certainly recover the cost of the product and the cost of overhead and operations, the cost of the infrastructure of the tank farms and all the ensuring liabilities and environmental work and things that go along with it, are not recovered. They are absorbed by the government at large. That has been my understanding of the way we set up our PPD. Is that essentially still the...

Mr. Speaker, the Minister had earlier indicated that this committee had not been active for some time. The policy was created in 1989. I’m wondering if he is able to advise just how long a life this committee had. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I recall, I think that was taken care of in last year's annual appropriation. Now that the Minister reminded me it was in the stabilization fund, that was where the debt was written off. If he could just confirm that, and that happened a year ago. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Okay. For quite some time, Mr. Speaker. I’m assuming now that we’re going back into previous governments here and I will not hold this Minister accountable there, but I would like to ask why this government has not acted to create or engage this committee and get some creative work coming out of it. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Detail. Detail.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The specific area of age and place of birth for someone who is living half their life in the NWT will continue to stay high on the radar screen. Can the Minister advise whether this is something that may demand a priority or a quicker response than waiting for this overall review? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to the review then, can the Minister advise whether steps will be taken to address any new or revised affirmative action or employment equity policies in the review? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories established the affirmative action policy in 1989 to “achieve equality and employment and career development for qualified, suitable and eligible target group persons.” The principles of affirmative action have long been recognized, Mr. Speaker, as a legitimate, indeed, responsible thing as they balance their workforce among the people they serve or rely on for their business.

Here in the NWT, our policy is met with mixed results and many Members, over time, have addressed the policy shortfalls. The Minister responsible has...