Bob Bromley

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thanks to the Minister for his opening comments. I’d like to start, as he essentially did here, with the energy programs. I’m very disappointed, obviously, in the decrease. We established $1.7 million last year. What this government wants, and I think it’s spoken clearly on, is increasing spending in energy initiatives. I suppose I have to make it clear that I’m not talking about subsidies on fossil fuel, which is where we seem to be putting literally hundreds of millions of dollars. When I add it all up, it’s that sort of number. It’s pretty startling. So I’m very...

Mr. Chair, I am just wondering, under the Alternative Energy Program I see it looks like we spent about $1 million last year and it’s down to $7.75 million this year as proposed, but that is up from a couple of years ago. Is there a ready explanation for the source of convolutions that are going on with that budget? Thank you.

Thanks to the Minister. I appreciate his supportive approach here. I have to say I am disappointed. When the House approves expenditures, it’s with the intent that the Minister get out there and get the program on the ground so that we take benefit that year. So I’d like to ask, what were the issues causing this amazing delay in getting the Family Resource Centre dollars out the door into Ndilo, apparently just happening this week, other than their obvious reluctance to commit to a flash in the pan program when a long-term one was needed. What were the other issues and how were they addressed...

Mr. Chair, thank you for those comments. I appreciate the Minister’s comments there. I am glad to see he is still focused in on those things. Those sound like important opportunities to me.

I just want to acknowledge that the department is playing a very important role extending geographically the opportunity to use wood pellets for our residents and businesses by being such a good customer of wood pellets. I know there is a very new supply of wood pellets in Norman Wells. The action we are taking to take advantage of that supply and also to start considering the opportunity for generation of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on my questions the other day in my Member’s statement on early childhood development with the Minister of ECE. I’m wondering, are the new family resource centres that are going into place this year meant to be a flash in the pan program, or do they actually recognize, I think, the intent and the need for a long-term comprehensive approach here? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on my Member’s statement today and ask questions directed to the Premier. The federal government is the resource manager and the co-signatory of the land claim agreements. Two Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada environmental audits say under-resourcing of the boards is a barrier to speedy and thorough completion of reviews.

Does the Premier agree that it is, at least currently, the responsibility of the federal government to adequately resource the boards to carry out this work?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government’s latest rampage against environmental protection and this government’s silence in areas of critical public interest demand comment.

Thursday, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board was informed of budget cuts. It will reduce its staffing by half, crippling its ability to carry out full consultative reviews. Because of the independent status of the board, the federal government can’t tamper with board decision-making, so repressive control is exerted through funding cuts, reducing and restricting the board’s ability to operate...

Thanks for that information. I assume that has to be done, sort of, this fiscal year. I don’t know where we’re at in terms of getting all the entities up and running of the number that we have, but I’d appreciate that information. So any more details before I ask my last one here. Thanks.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Is this the activity within which the WSCC is controlled? Would workplace safety with WSCC be considered in this activity?

I appreciate the Minister’s comments there. I don’t have anything specific here, but I imagine the Minister knows what I’m talking about and could try and get his finger on the pulse when he’s in communities, or his staff are in communities and so on. So it might be interesting to develop a bit of a sense there and see if there’s an opportunity for helping out in that front and letting us know what his impressions are. Thank you.