Bob Bromley

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to follow-up with the Minister a little bit on the wellness court, the mental health court. Obviously, the Minister remembers passing a motion in the House for a mental health court in the 16th Assembly and we were led, by the Minister of Justice at that time, to understand work was underway. Now again we’ve passed a similar motion in the House and work is underway again here. My understanding is that a feasibility study will be completed this 31st, March. I’d like to know is this done in concert with Health and Social Services and will it provide direction...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just one last question with regard to those. Yellowknife obviously seems to be a bit of a magnet for people from across the NWT for people who choose to move somewhere. Are some of these increases going to Yellowknife in recognition of that?

Thanks to the Minister for that update. You mentioned the 70 percent. That was true before. The infrastructure, I think there were some changes there. Would that largely explain the more expensive comment?

Thanks for that information. I guess I would select the ones that apply and leave out the ones that don’t. There’s a couple of them mentioned here, the fuel and electricity. I think our funding, the Minister said about $47 million to provide for community government operations and maintenance costs. What was the increase in that amount due to these factors?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Could I just get a little reminder of what we’re doing in the protection against family violence with that budget? I notice there’s a small increase there this year. I know this is recognized as a priority for the government and across many departments. If I can get the Minister to give me some detail or some information on what that is being used for.

I appreciate the Minister’s hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, it’s not always the people of the Northwest Territories, to start with, that are building these buildings. It’s often people that are not residents of the Northwest Territories and, unfortunately, there is good reason – I’m sure the Minister is aware – that every jurisdiction in Canada has a Building Standards Act with an inspection function that’s filled. I’m not saying the Minister doesn’t have lots of points on this. I want to express appreciation that the gap analysis is being done. That’s exactly what I’m looking for, and I will...

What are we doing about it? Is this just a, sort of, ephemeral program? It seems like a basic program that we want to maintain. Do we have any information? Why is it declining?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Previous programs to help businesses acquire renewable energy equipment and technology have been cut back. These programs promoted business prosperity and success, by cutting the consumption and high costs of electrical and heat energy. Given our reliance on fossil fuel, greenhouse gas production is also cut, an important bonus. But even with adequately funded programs, many businesses can’t take advantage because they lack the seed funds to go ahead. Programs provided up to $10,000 for projects of up to $40,000, but first you need to have the $30,000.

The savings...

Thanks to the Minister’s comments. I’d say that’s being a responsible partner, being willing to discuss that idea. There are a number of strategies out there, as the Minister knows, that are very successful and others that are not. We’d prefer to be in the former category. We know this strategy needs to be not only an action plan for integrated cross-government action to reduce the alarming poverty and growing inequity in NWT society. It also needs to fully involve Aboriginal government partners and the business community. I know the Minister has a particular interest there. The need to raise...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are directed to the Minister for the social envelope committee, Mr. Abernethy. Late last year a draft Anti-Poverty Strategy was released. There has been review and comment on that document from organizations, and I understand public feedback was formally collected through a survey, some focus groups and even street interviews. Could the Minister update us on the current status of the Anti-Poverty Strategy, and when we can expect to see a new draft and when the completed strategy will be coming to this House?