Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Elders have a huge role to play in our education systems of today. They remind youth what wisdom is and what real education means. Their presence in schools, though too rare, brings stability and assurance to our young people that are currently wanting. Let’s work to ensure that our elders are able to fulfill their key role in every one of our educational facilities.

Today I especially want to salute the woman who is the traditional heart and soul of K’alemi Dene School in Ndilo, Mary Jane Francois, who the children call Mrs. Fwasi.

---Applause

Mrs. Fwasi is the school...

Thanks, Mr. Guy. So is the intent to eventually... Those disappear into the general revenues then. I assume and I wonder if the intent is to eventually see them reflected here as revenue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Committee, we are on general comments for Public Works and Services. Seeing no further, I will give the Minister an opportunity to respond. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table today testimonials and drawings from 16 of the young students at Dettah’s Kaw Tay Whee School describing the enormous benefits they’ve received from the recently cancelled Healthy Food for Learning school nutrition program.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to stress that this is an opportunity that requires an enthusiastic response. Somehow I’m not getting those vibes. I’m looking for those vibes. My constituent has said that the department is concerned with the costs. My constituent is willing to chip in from her own pocket. When I look at the cost of recruiting staffing and moving a new physician, this prospect seems to save us a bundle right off the start. Will the Minister commit to taking these costs into account and applying our savings to this golden opportunity?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Members will have heard of the fantastic progress that Nunavut is making this week towards meeting the need for new locally trained doctors. The federal government Memorial University program will see eight new interns trained in Nunavut; $5 million injected into Iqaluit’s Qikiqitani Hospital upgrading to accommodate the training, and return practice provisions of two years for each doctor. That’s 16 years of committed physician service. Fantastic. Can the Minister tell me what our Health department...

Again, good work. I understand that some of the work has included voluntarily setting printers to duplex, using recycled paper, having recycling stations in offices, in-house waste audits. ENR has a Green Event Catering Contract Policy for its departmental use. I’m wondering if this could be spread to all departments. I also note, Mr. Speaker, many people complain to me about GNWT catering that includes bottled water. They just shake their head when we’re surrounded by the best water in the world. Does this catering policy include the dropping out of bottled water? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are to the Minister responsible for Human Resources. I want to follow up on an inquiry and a bit of correspondence with the Minister regarding greening the workplace under the June 2009 Human Resources action plan, A Brilliant North. This objective calls for encouragement to employees to develop and implement environmental programs. Can the Minister tell us what work has been done to date? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just before we go to 7-10, on 7-9 I am just wondering are the savings that are gathered through the energy-efficient technologies we are using, do they turn into revenues at all? Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Committee, we’re on page 11-21, Transportation, activity summary, highways, operations expenditure summary, $58.094 million.