Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to clearly state my support for the government’s decision to move forward with the construction of the Aven Cottage Territorial Dementia Centre.

I also want to acknowledge the excellent work of a group of volunteers who serve on the board of the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, YACCS. They have given freely of their considerable experience, knowledge and time to bring this much-needed centre and other facilities to reality. Our government is providing $15 million in capital funding for the centre. Additional fundraising is being done to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d like to ask the Minister about the Employee Recognition Program. This government is supposed to be about prevention and engaging our employees. I hear a lot of frustration about wasted energy, wasted resources, inefficiencies in programs. A lot of employees have individual observations and experiences to offer that aren’t necessarily part of their job descriptions. When we started the reductions exercise, I think it was recognized as a valuable source of information. We put out a call, and in fact we got a lot of good suggestions from employees in our public service...

Again, I’m always looking for a new approach from this government, and some innovation. I think that’s what our public is asking for too. I’m sure the Minister and others are aware there are reports coming out showing that productivity actually goes up with various schemes, such as shorter work weeks and so on. This also results in direct savings. Between those things, I would think that increased productivity and the money saved on 5,000 employees, or whatever we have, taking six days off should account for those 24-hour services. I’m hoping the Minister could have his staff start looking...

I’m sure the NGOs will look forward to that, and the members of the social and environmental community.

One last point of agreement I’m looking for: does the Minister agree that MLAs, as the elected representatives of — especially on this side of the House — most of the people of the Northwest Territories, probably should have had some input on this panel, and that their input might have been useful, or at least worth considering and, in fact, consistent with consensus government?

Is it the intent of the Minister’s Advisory Panel on the Economy to ensure that it benefits all residents?

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to reply — again I am changing my statement today to the Minister of ITI — to the Minister’s rather surprising announcement on the Advisory Panel on the Economy. This seems to be reflecting the ongoing and apparently typical modus operandi of this government to keep MLAs completely uninformed and certainly not to include their input. The vision this Caucus came up with was strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous territory. The Minister’s Advisory Panel on the Economy —...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and the Minister. Obviously, this is something every department could be engaged in and enjoy the fruitful returns of, I’m sure.

Thank you for those remarks, Minister. Of course, the City of Yellowknife has really enjoyed quite a few savings through such a program, savings that are ongoing. Just to be clear, such a program was not on the plate as part of the opportunities for reductions and efficiencies in the exercise that got us to this budget. Is that correct?

I appreciate the Minister’s comments on that. I too would be interested in the research on that. I would just note that the average wage of employees in the Northwest Territories is 50 per cent above the Canadian average, and I suspect that if you just took the GNWT employees, it would be even greater than that. Our cost of living, especially in our larger centres, is more like 20 per cent higher. So I think there would be some room for some exploration there.

Mr. Chairman, the other question or frustration I have is that I feel I’m sort of finessed into dealing with this situation of vacant...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Following some of the words from Mr. McLeod from Inuvik Twin Lakes, I’m wondering if the department considered additional mandatory leave days in the summer.

My impression — and it’s just that — is that productivity has actually gone up during mid-winter in relation to the so-called Donnie Days that employees still enjoy. That’s leave without pay. But it allows some extended family time. It’s got to be healthy for families as well as labour relations and so on. I know there’s interest out there in our brief but beautiful summer season.

If employees had access to…. Say if...