Bob Bromley

Perhaps I have been misreading the statements, as have many other people. I’m wondering, just for clarity, is the Minister equally interested in comments on elected versus appointed memberships on these boards and agencies and will he actively seek input on that specific question of democratic elections?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to ask questions of the Minister for refocusing government. I’m wondering what boards and agencies do we have that actually have elected members, democratically elected members. I know the two education boards in Yellowknife. Are there others in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a brief comment. First, I heard the term “modular units.” I guess there were certainly initially problems with them meeting the EGH 80 guidelines, but I know that they were working on that and perhaps they’ve achieved that goal.

My question is on the Affordable Housing Initiative carry-over such as for Ndilo and Dettah. Given it’s for affordable housing, if we can’t resolve the land tenure situation in this particular case within a sufficient time frame, can those dollars, in fact, be used for energy upgrades to EGH 80 for existing houses in order to make housing more...

The biggest folly here is that we are force feeding a model on a number of systems, some of which are functioning very well and some of which are not. There seems to be no attempt to differentiate these or consider inherent regional realities to help focus and facilitate productive discussions and input.

Government’s proposals have generated more than some strong public reaction and feedback, as our Premier has said today, but they have done more than that; they have generated outright rejection. Surely we have learned our lesson by now and we realize good communications makes for good policy...

Thanks to the Minister for these comments. Do we know what the core need has been set at or recognized at in the recent past and where we are sitting relative to that for Ndilo and Dettah? Thank you.

What makes this so problematic? There must be similar situations in many areas of Canada and the Northwest Territories, probably. I am wondering why this is problematic here. Thank you.

With that, maybe we’ll just take a short break at this time and then we’ll resume with your responses.

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Mr. Speaker, a democracy is about representing the people, giving them a voice and treating them with fairness and respect towards fair, responsible and responsive government. Being an MLA, a representative of the people in the Weledeh constituency, is a huge honour and a huge responsibility. But there is one thing I most fully appreciate. It is the privilege provided to me on behalf of my people to be heard and to have my opinions and perspectives justly considered by the government.

When MLAs are elected to the Executive, their responsibilities increase. These honoured and privileged people...

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Loretta and Dick Abernethy and suggest they get an award to paying the most attention to this House.

---Laughter

I’d like to recognize Blake Rasmussen, another constituent from Weledeh. As well, David Connolly, I’d like to recognize him. I believe he’s here with colleagues from Avalon Ventures. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was also in support of this motion and I’d like to back up, really, many of the comments that I’ve heard from my colleagues today. There’s little else to add but there certainly is volume. The number of contacts we’ve all received from our constituents has been huge.

On the public consultation front, let me just cite the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society who were shocked and surprised that there were no consultations with the NWT Seniors’ Society or seniors in general prior to the Cabinet making this decision in reference to the 2007 meeting. Alternatives North says...