Bob Bromley

Thanks for the comments from the Minister. I am glad to hear that it’s part of the A base now. I assume that means that the Cabinet cannot sort of whimsically sunset it and it will be there for future years. So I appreciate that.

On the Cancer Strategy, the department is working with the Canadian Partnership, and again, it seems like this is an ongoing program and yet the same phenomenon. We assume that with ongoing programs we continue our participation and the new dollars are meant to enhance programs or new programs. Could the Minister tell me what the situation is in this case? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I see we’re addressing the Collective Agreement between the NWT Teachers’ Association and the Government of the Northwest Territories. I know that we have other agreements that have been in progress, the UNW, the doctors and so on. Is there a reason why those are not coming forward at this time, or will we be expecting those to come forward in the future and when? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I assume by sunsetted Mr. Aumond means the department decided not to spend that money this year, that was GNWT dollars. Is that correct? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think the issue here is not the exact expenditure; it’s the issue that’s raised by the proposed expenditures. In the early childhood example, for example, those are a re-profiling of internal funds. The issue is the same. It’s fancy footwork that re-profiles existing programs as new programs. That’s why I thought if we could deal with it, we really should deal with it all together here.

Madam Chair, the Minister raises a good point. For example, we had $2.3 million worth of diamonds alone leaving the territory in 2011, so that sort of thing indicates that resources are clearly leaving. In terms of investing in the future, the opportunity is now. I think on the area of investment, I appreciate the suggestion that that will be brought to committee. I think we would certainly want it to be an ethical investment. If there were ways to support investment in the Northwest Territories and so on, those things would be of interest. Is there a body of regulations developed for the fund...

Well, to be specific, early childhood development dollars, which have been found internally, some of which are being directed to inspection of child care facilities. This came out in the Auditor General’s report, where it was found that it was not doing proper inspections and not doing proper safety procedures. In fact, fire exits were blocked, and toxic chemicals were easily accessible by children and so on and demanded directive that the government respond to that. Now, somehow the new dollars we have achieved for early childhood allocation are being profiled as delivering that sort of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, June 14, 2012, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that the departments of Justice and Health and Social Services work cooperatively to bring forward a plan for introduction of diversion measures including specialized courts in integrated case management for review in the 2013-14 business plans;

And further, that the same departments provide the Standing Committee on Social Programs with a work plan at the earliest opportunity that will describe how this objective will be...

Yes, that will be fine right now, Madam Chair.

Thanks again to the Minister for those comments and the commitments. The Territorial Farmers Association is another partner I can think of that reports that access to land is indeed one of the major challenges facing its members. Will the Minister, perhaps in consult with his colleagues, commit to contacting the association and identifying the issues and opportunities to be addressed, and reporting to EDI with a plan for recommended measures? I recognize that this could also become part of the greater Economic Development Strategy, but I think I’d like to follow that track as well Thank you.

Madam Chair, I have a motion in preparation. I wonder if we can wait until we are done on this. What is the process here? Thank you.