Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Finance.

What have been the costs by year during the term of the 16th Assembly to date and budgeted for this fiscal year for activities relating to the Mackenzie Gas Project including such costs as:

preparation for and participating in Joint Review Panel and National Energy Board proceedings;

travel and receptions by Ministers with MLAs and officials;

staff positions and contractor services; and

communications planning, promotional events, publicity and advertising.

Mr. Speaker, thanks for the Minister’s remarks there. We have a system where one agency polices the workplace, administers claims and makes the decisions, in this case, without knowing or admitting the discretion it has to vary recommendations of its advisors. What will this Minister do to actively, regularly and independently monitor the activities and judgements of the WSCC to put the injured on a more level playing field? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. Jurisdictions have enacted workers’ compensation legislation to ensure every worker is protected when they suffer injury in the workplace, yet I can’t help feeling my constituent would have been wiser to have a car accident with instant free access to legal advice, medical examinations and other services through his insurance company. Why does it take months for WSCC to move files when all that is needed is the prompt advice of its medical and legal advisors? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to relay the personal experience of a constituent whose unfortunate workplace injuries have resulted in a two-year odyssey of frustration, delay and uninformed support.

In September 2008, my constituent suffered a workplace accident resulting in severe damage to his ribs and spine. He is left with six to nine permanently detached ribs, nerve damage and great chronic pain with no hope of surgical correction. He can never again resume full duties and must make the choice between pain and debilitating narcotic medication.

He has experienced an apparently...

I appreciate, then, that the review would likely be moving towards completion by the fall so that things might move forward in the plans. I understand from industry reps that the current requirements for ITI support programs, such as the need to file three-year business forecasts, don’t recognize the reality of this industry that moves from project to project. This obviously points out the need for industry-specific programs as our sister territories have recognized. Will the Minister ensure that the unique operating conditions of this industry are, therefore, addressed in the terms of...

To the bill as a whole?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ITI -- Industry, Tourism and Investment -- on the film industry. I’m pleased to see that the Minister has met with representatives of the multi-media and film industry to discuss development opportunities and report the status of the promised review of the industry development and support requirements. I’m also pleased that the Minister committed to develop the terms of reference in consultation with the public. These are great moves, great progress. Can the Minister indicate yet when those draft terms of reference will be available...

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Welcome, witnesses. Now I would like to say that we are open for general comments on the bill by Members. General comments on Bill 7. Hearing none, does committee agree that we move to clause-by-clause review of the bill?

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Does committee agree?

I call Committee of the Whole to order. We have before us consideration of Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act and I would like to start by calling on Mr. Ramsay, as a Member of the Board of Management, for his introduction of the bill with opening remarks. Mr. Ramsay.