Bob Bromley

My last question. I just want to confirm that the $400,000, all of that went to Food First Foundation for administration and delivery this year. Is that correct?

I’m very glad to hear that. I think the Minister has heard me speak numerous times on the important opportunity and key opportunity we have during early years of a life, to really provide the essential support to that person developing to their full potential. I think having qualified people working in our child development system is an important aspect of that.

The other thing I just want confirmation on, the Minister said in his response to general comments that he will consult with various parties involved. I’m wondering if he could just give me a little bit more information on who that...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just had a couple quick questions on the Food First Foundation as well. First one is: have we been contributing to them over the last three years and how much?

Thank you to Mr. Daniels for those remarks. My question is: in the commitment to undertake an Early Childhood Development Program review, will all of those programs -- and I counted something like one, two, three, four, five, six, six or seven programs -- be part of that review?

Mr. Chairman, thanks for the Minister’s remarks. I think the Yellowknives Dene will appreciate that work and will be right there participating.

I just want to say, before I move on, that I am very pleased with about 15 percent increase to the budget for official languages and I want to recognize the Minister for carving out those dollars. I know there are many competing demands, so that extra $1.1 million is going to be an important contribution. I think we need it, obviously, to follow up on the new Languages Strategy.

I just had a quick question on inclusive schooling. We chatted about this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m afraid that is less than a satisfactory response. I’m sure the federal government is welcome at any of our tables, but here we need to go to their table and do some real work here. So I would have to grade that quite low, Mr. Speaker, and I’m sure the Minister can come up with better.

But I don’t just lay this on the Minister of MACA, Mr. Speaker. Every MLA and especially Cabinet has a role to play, because as the Minister recognizes, this is dealing with the federal government, big daddy out there. I’m wondering what role the Minister sees all of the MLAs and, for...

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Minister Lafferty.

Mr. Speaker, thanks for the Minister’s comments there. Good work has also been done on the development of the recreational leasing framework. Information is being gathered towards a comprehensive understanding of the resource base and the use of the area can bear while maintaining our vital interest in preserving the watershed of Yellowknife for our drinking water supply. The next essential step is an invitation of the general public to contribute its knowledge and suggestions. Will the Minister commit to a full public consultation, keeping in mind the need to allow sufficient time for full...

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good progress has been made towards preventing trespass in the Yellowknife area and on sustainable use of the resources of the Yellowknife block land transfer area. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is making good progress both in controlling unauthorized use and developing a plan and I want to recognize that.

A freeze on new leases was announced in December 2009, and legal and administrative action is underway to deal with squatters. Of 16 unauthorized occupancies in the Prosperous-Walsh Lake area, four sites have been voluntarily vacated, five sites...