Bob Bromley

Certainly parking has been an issue and I appreciate the work being done to address that. Part of it seems to be related to trespassers using the facility for parking while they’re at illegal facilities on the lake. I’m wondering if we’re able to resolve that situation at all. Also, the park is a bit odd in that there are residents who own lots there as well as some that lease lots there and, obviously, have to park in the park. I think the proposal is to start charging them for parking. That seems a bit odd to me. I’m wondering if that situation has been discussed and whether we’ll hear some...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to focus my questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Last year CanNor announced $6.8 million in support of adult literacy and basic education programs by Aurora College, with $2.5 million earmarked for this fiscal year. Promised programs included hiring of adult learning basic education instructors, trades access program funding, community basic education learning opportunities and a focus on short courses towards essential skills.

Can the Education Minister give a summary of programs delivered this year and whether all the...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I’m just wondering, there seems to be a bit of a de-emphasis on Homeownership Entry Level Program funding and maybe a re-emphasis on the Market Housing Program. Could I just get the reasoning for those adjustments?

Thanks. I think the Minister has my question, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. We are in the earliest stages of learning about fracking. The policy development needs are huge and the time frame urgent. We know the drive for fracking is underway in the Sahtu. Funds and time are needed to determine the basis on which to make good management decisions.

Recognizing that the resource will not disappear, will the Minister of ENR commit to ensuring that we dedicate both the funds and the time required to develop a policy on fracking that will protect both our people and our land...

I appreciate the Minister giving some serious consideration to this and looking for opportunities in his role as Minister.

Can we expect a rigorous analysis on how to increase the benefits for the public and thereby buy some real credibility for the Mineral Development Strategy that would incorporate some of the things we’ve been discussing here?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our EDI report on fracking provided a start to learn about fracking, but as we learn more, the management challenge grows. In fact, urgent action is needed to make good decisions. We need to adopt best practices, yes, but what are these, will we actually adopt them, and how will we do so and ensure that they are followed? Many jurisdictions profess a similar commitment but have failed miserably to protect their citizens, despite good intentions.

The need for environmental and geological baseline data essential for good management is clear, but are we committed to...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think this Mineral Development Strategy is something that’s underway. I know we’ve got a lot of happy industry out there. I’m not sure that that’s totally in line with the public interest, but we seem to be handing the strategy over to them and saying go for it.

But I want to bounce off the Minister the statement that we don’t need more mines as much as we need more residents working in the mines we have, and better economic rent or return from the extraction of our resources and then replacement of mines as they reach the end of production. A good way to do this would...

Was there an internal competition for these dollars? Obviously you had a couple of projects here, economic mineral development strategies. How did that work? Thank you.

Madam Chair, just to follow up on that, is that something we then pass on to that council or is it a benefit to this government? Thank you.