Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The budgetary process just completed has led us to modest new appropriations and realignment of funds and response to Regular Members’ fiscal priorities.

The newly allocated funds amount to $3.728 million, one-quarter of 1 percent of the total $1.411 billion budget. There are $1.25 million in funds re-profiled internally and perhaps $140,000 in foregone revenue. That’s a total change of $5.118 million or 0.36, one-third of a percent of the total.

The government has fiercely defended its position that there should be no additional expenditures, because “we don’t want to...

We don’t know if this is some fancy footwork or whether these are actually new dollars or simply old programs being re-profiled as new dollars. That’s the concern. I would appreciate that additional information that would address that concern from the Minister.

On the early childhood intervention amount, I note that we are collaborating with the Health and Economic Research Institute. Quick work to arrange that in just a few days. I appreciate that. During the 16th Assembly, Social Programs did do extensive work on the Child and Family Services Act, and in fact had three national experts...

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...

I appreciate the Minister’s comments there. I know it’s tough. Resources are tight and so on, but I’d say the evidence speaks for itself here. Increasing the number of community shelters is also a critical need. Shelters now exist in only three communities. Lack of a place of refuge frequently means that women must stay in their homes and be subjected to repeated assaults. Not only that, funding for outreach programs has been cut for communities lacking shelters. What steps is the Minister going to take to provide women and children with places of safety from abuse and assault?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister of Justice, recognizing that the issue of family violence has to be dealt with across many departments. As I noted, the numbers speak to a dreadful situation of family violence and suffering in our communities: 223 family violence cases; 483 children witnesses; the second highest rate of family violence in the country and so on. The need for action is clear and desperate. Will the Minister of Justice commit to making action on family violence one of his foremost program priorities, and implement a plan to carry out the 19 recommendations...