Bob Bromley

Mr. Weledeh appreciates that response. So we have at least one other source of surprise cost coming forward in the future. Are there any other further risks that have not been mentioned today that the Minister would care to outline for us at this time?

I don’t know where to begin in response to that, Mr. Chair, other than give up, I guess.

My last question is: We’re not paying anything to Northland Utilities here. Has something changed in the agreement there, dropping from $500,000 last year?

Thanks for the comments from the executives. I will look forward to that. There were quite a number of recommendations made at the operational level as well. I know the Minister is aware. From things as mundane as the prehistoric computer system that our social workers are forced to use and deal with, to their despair, to even recommendations related to foster care and so on. Where are we at on those and can we expect some of those to be addressed this fiscal year? Thank you.

I think I understand it now. I’m not sure that I need those details. I assume we’re out there collecting information and there are things that they need as a government that we’re handy at getting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister for those comments. I have to say that it’s very upsetting, that despite this opportunity being brought up repeatedly by this side of the House, that we are not taking advantage of these opportunities. I would like to get full information provided by the Minister on what exactly we are doing, what agreements we’re part of now, what our plan is in the future, and why we are not part of the western Ministers bulk purchasing plan that would yield significant savings. Would the Minister commit to providing that in lieu of the lack of action on this?

Mr. Chair, I’ll shift it to the other extreme here. From the 1st of April 2014, to due course. Is there any way the Premier could hone in a little more on that? The reason I ask is that I have long said, and many people have said, that it would have informed our negotiations, for one thing. Obviously, it’s pretty late in the game for that now, but it could be very important to implementation and to decisions on what sort of model we follow, for example, in taking down authority. Leaving it to later will be too late. Thank you.

I guess as the amount of power is used, especially in thermal communities where the subsidies apply, that amount would go up. Is that correct?

I wonder, I know the Minister is aware, having been on the Social Programs committee and our review of the act, that these are important statistics to monitor and I’d appreciate it if he could supply those numbers to committee. They are important for monitoring and seeing how well we’re doing. They’re relevant in this case. Another number is for the children in care in the Northwest Territories, what number are in their own home communities versus which number are not. I wouldn’t expect the Minister to have those at the tip of his fingers, but again, I know he understands the importance of...

Agreed.