Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Cathie Bolstad, a resident of Weledeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to go on record as supporting the principle of the bill and I appreciate that the Minister has been working hard to consult with the public. However, I have had some feedback that indicates some Aboriginal governments are still a little bit surprised at how rapidly this is advancing. I know the Minister has been meeting with those governments and I think that’s being resolved, but I did want to mention there was some serious concern that hadn’t been resolved. I look forward to, if we give second reading today, that we enter into a process where much of that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister. I appreciate that. I look forward to that getting in place with the timing you’ve given us. Over the years, while this has been going on actual Midwifery Program positions have languished unfulfilled, as the Minister knows.

My final question is: What did we do with the hundreds of thousands of unspent midwifery salary dollars approved by this Assembly for the introduction and staffing of midwifery programs across the NWT? Mahsi.

Thanks to the Minister. The Minister also indicated last session that the Department of Health and Social Services was consulting with the people in the Inuvik/Beaufort-Delta region, gathering their thoughts about the Midwifery Program. The Minister related that there were a number of challenges and concerns, but he was working through those with the Beau-Del authority.

Can he explain or tell the House when the Midwifery Program in the Beau-Del will be implemented? Mahsi.

Is it too much to ask that this government think in terms of lessons learned in today’s modern understanding of responsible, sustainable development? A mining advisory board that doesn’t include members that bring Aboriginal government, social and environmental perspectives to the table will fail to meet public interest yet again. Mahsi.

I’ll equally remind the Premier that this is the business of public government, which is the business of all residents of the Northwest Territories.

My second question has to do with the direction, I believe the division leads the development and review of negotiating mandates that guide GNWT negotiating teams at all land, resources and self-government negotiations, according to the document. We have a couple of unsettled land claim areas where we don’t seem to be making progress, and that has been true for quite a while, at least very minimal progress. I know the Premier would like to see...

That wasn’t what I was asking. I think that’s obvious and appropriate. I’m asking what is being done to set up an equivalent one where we also have a responsibility to consult with our people and our residents on issues that are important to them, which are the activities of this government. Thank you.

I obviously don’t have that number in front of me so I’ll leave it at that. But if the Minister does come up with any further information on that, I would appreciate it.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank the Minister for that commitment, and that was just one suggestion. I’m sure the Minister has others on how to find people, but I appreciate that.

Just looking at the budget, I just had a question. It seems like we took quite a jump up in ‘14-15 and we’re maintaining that. Compensation and benefits are actually down. I have to congratulate the Minister on that. I’m not sure how he has managed to do that, but that’s a rarity, but the rest is up. I’m wondering: is there an explanation and is this a temporary blip that’s expected to go back down? I imagine...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate this opportunity to ask a question here. I have an issue that comes up frequently with constituents with a variety of backgrounds. Many seemingly very qualified people don’t even seem to get interviewed, and these are long-term residents, Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal, quite a variety of people from all walks of life. I know I’ve talked to the Minister about this and I know he’s aware of this.

What sort of monitoring is done? Like, do you monitor the number of complaints about this and requests for appeals or however people might respond? What are the plans to...