Bob Bromley

Thanks again to the Premier. An even sadder state of affairs indeed. Apparently we are expected to pass mirror legislation to adopt the federal regime as our own at the time of devolution and will be resourced just for those responsibilities, is my understanding. So here again the federal government is ransacking the environmental protection regime in anticipation of devolution without our input or approval, leaving us to try and shore up the regime later with our own resources.

Can the Premier remind me why devolution is a good deal and what resources we’re going to use to bring environmental...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Premier following up on questions that I had during the spring session and are with regard to the changes in federal laws, environmental laws in particular. I had previously asked the Premier questions on the major changes underway in that area – withdrawal of habitat protection in the Fisheries Act, collapse of our regional land and water boards into one, creation of artificial mandatory deadlines for completion of assessments, and so on. The Premier said he had belatedly written the feds inquiring about the Fisheries Act changes, but I’ve...

Communities rely upon our resident volunteers and leaders, and local businesses are the greatest contributors to charities and community initiatives. Local businesses are what take us through boom and bust. I ask you and all my colleagues to join me in doffing our hats to all of them.

I appreciate that offer. We can follow that up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That’s all I had.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to ask about a Detah health services delivery facility, a trailer. I know the Minister is aware of this. I believe he committed to removing that from the community. It’s essentially abandoned and a bit of an eyesore, but it’s mostly using up valuable land there and is a bit of a concern for the safety of kids, being an abandoned structure. I’m wondering if the Minister can confirm that the removal is in this budget, or would that fall into operations, I’m wondering. If I could just get clarity on that.

I don’t want to take up too much time with this, but it sounds like a briefing would be useful. I’m not a member of Social Programs, or I’m an alternate member, but I wonder if the Minister would be prepared to do a briefing of where we’re at with Stanton so we could spend a little time on it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It sounds like, obviously, it is a very modest amount of work that we are planning for 2013-14 here, a modest budget compared to the need we have. I just want to try and nail down whether or not we are actually going to be starting renovations in 2014-15. The Class C design typically is a start towards seeking funding, but a Class D estimate is needed to achieve funding. How long does the Minister think we will need to convert this Class C design estimate – achievable, I believe, in the spring of 2013 – into actual renovations? If I can just leave it at that and get a...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I ask apology for jumping the gun there. We are in our sixth year of planning that I am aware of for this facility, the Stanton Territorial Hospital. It is a keystone part of our NWT’s health care system. We have known for a long time that there are major renovations needed to bring this up to par. Our delivery is suffering without that renovation. What is the status of our planning? What planning have we completed? What is this planning about for 2013-14? Are there yet more planning years to come before we start putting boots on the ground with regard to getting these...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish the federal government had a similar compartmentalization in their views. Every day seems to bring new details on the federal mangling of our environmental law. Meanwhile, we’re out consulting on the land use sustainability framework that is intended to influence the nature and content of our future resource management regime. Obviously, we’re dealing with a moving target. We can be consulting one night and find that things have changed the next morning.

I’d like to ask the Premier why we are asking our citizens what kind of land use sustainability framework they...

Thanks to the comments from the Premier. A sad state of affairs indeed.

In changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act under the new omnibus bill, 45, I understand Canada removed environmental protection on all but 97 major lakes and 62 rivers. Even some heritage rivers have had their protection yanked. Environmental review would no longer be required for any dam, road crossing, pipeline, mine, or bridge affecting water bodies not on that specific list. Reviews will be the responsibility of provinces except here, which is federal. We have that many lakes and rivers in the Weledeh riding...