Bill Braden

Thank you, Madam Chair. This amount here is quite a well-rounded number, $2.5 million. I’m wondering if the Minister could advise how close is this to the cost of this renovation or is this basically an up-front deposit, if you will? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question now is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and it relates to one of the programs that we offer under the Income Support side, Mr. Speaker. This is an allowance, I believe of $250 that is made on an annual basis to Income Support clients. It helps them get equipped for the rigours of our climate here. It has come to my attention that this program can only be accessed if a client has been on our books for one year.

Mr. Speaker, it’s winter out there and I am wondering what kind of provision can be made for people who are otherwise eligible...

Mr. Speaker, one of the things we talked about yesterday was the role of some of the timelines and the expectations. In fact the agreement that was signed earlier this year said that all three levels of government, federal, territorial and aboriginal, agreed to shoot for April 2006. Now is that agreement still in place, or is that target still in place, Mr. Speaker? Thank you very much.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday in this Assembly we had quite a day debating the merits of the process of devolution and resource revenue sharing. I think it was one of our better days so far as the 15th Assembly, Mr. Speaker, and I would really like to congratulate my colleagues and our staff for assisting with this process. My question today is a follow-up to that debate. It’s to the Premier on the issue of devolution. Mr. Speaker, last week in response to a question, the Premier committed to make available the GNWT’s devolution mandate and my question to the Premier is when might we be...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Finally, does this estimate include the cost of decommissioning and cleaning up the old facility? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To this item, the aspect of repairs and maintenance to fuel tank farms is something that is pretty well established. We’ve got considerable familiarity with this over the years. Something that’s unusual about this is a project of this size, just over $1 million, comes to us as not previously authorized. The maintenance and placement of tank farms is usually something we can plan on quite normally through the business planning process. Why does the Sachs Harbour project appear on this more urgent basis? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, could the Minister advise what kinds of programs or projects or initiatives are being contemplated here by the Fort Smith Metis Council? I’m trying to get a sense here of where public funds are going and if there is a well-thought-out plan and a way of measuring and reporting back on what this money has done. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Were any of these damages covered by insurance? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those are all very good reasons and programs like this need some kind of criteria. It all makes sense from an administrative point of view, but we do have a seasonal situation to deal with. People come and may not be coordinating with our administrating purposes. Can the Minister go back and have a look at that regulation, see if it can be retuned to allow for some consideration for the timing when this is needed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the resources of the Northwest Territories and the value of those resources are leaving our territory at unprecedented and increasing rates as we continue to negotiate. Does the negotiating framework have any trigger mechanisms or ways in which we can force a conclusion in the event that our regular or agreed-to or hoped-for timelines are not met?