Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the Minister for these opening remarks. I guess the first item for me is the incredible $15.6 million of taxpayers’ money being added to the NWT Power Corporation, piled on already tens of millions of dollars in support of their general rate application. I guess this relates to the work done in the 16th Assembly on electricity rate reviews. At least two Members of this Assembly in the House today said that there would be a price shock if we went ahead with the source of recommendations, I guess you would call them, that they came out with in the 16th Assembly...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on the questions by my colleagues on the Deh Cho Bridge and ask questions of the Minister of Transportation.

I’d like to start by saying that I agree that his project has been an unmitigated disaster from the get-go, and there are some good reasons for that, and we have now, as a House, put in place some policies that will help guard, to some degree, against future recurrences. I’d like to start with ATCON, the original contractor. Can the Minister assure me that we are completely severed now and there are no ongoing unresolved claims with ATCON...

Thanks for the comments from the Premier. The point being here, the residents of the Northwest Territories, perhaps rationally in the mind of the Premier, would like input on this. That’s a big decision and a decision that’s made on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories. I’d say it’s very irresponsible not to go to our people and have their input on that, especially as this government is on record, as are our partner governments at all levels, at criticizing the federal land management regime. Thank you.

The $3,000 subsidy for the previous two years has been discontinued, and that was a business subsidy, I believe. That’s been discontinued. Was that a one-time thing just for those two years? Thank you.

Thanks for that information. I appreciate that. I know the Minister is aware that there is quite a range across communities and if it happens that we can focus on those with the greatest interest and concern, that would be great. Just one specific, I know my community of Detah did express an interest to the interim Minister of Health and Social Services for a presentation with respect to this. I don’t know whether this Minister has had a chance to follow up, but hopefully that didn’t fall through the cracks. I just thought I’d mention that.

I guess, just sort of continuing on a similar vein...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to ask: Indicators of what, basically, on this one? It’s apparently an interim expenditure, but quite high compared to the last time we spent money on this and we’re working on baseline indicators, but I have no idea what baseline indicators of what. Thank you.

My original question was: Are we part of the western provinces bulk purchasing deal? I assume they have a bulk purchasing deal that deals with more than one drug, but I would also be interested in what our savings are with the one drug the Minister mentioned.

Mr. Chair, it’s great to get specific information. It is rare. Thanks to the Premier for that. That was very good.

Without trying to be hyperbolic or maybe I should say without trying to be too hyperbolic, will the Premier lead the charge in asking all of our residents what they want for a unique northern and responsible land and resource management regime, asking them what comprises, in their minds, economically, socially and environmentally sustainable land and resource management? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Is this an amount that’s expected to occur on an ongoing basis or is this adjusted from year to year?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to ask, to start off with, if we know currently how many children are in care outside of the Northwest Territories and how many are in care inside the Northwest Territories.