Bob Bromley

I certainly agree with the most economical travel. This government has to be responsible economically, financially. Of course to do that we need full-cost accounting. Obviously air travel is, when it’s fully accounted for, one of the most expensive ways of travelling that’s possible in this world today. You need to account for the subsidies we give to the airports and so on.

Basically, we’ll let you do the necessary research and departmental self-education to engage in a full-cost accounting review in order to minimize our net costs and improve the health of our land and our people through a...

My questions are for the Minister of ITI — Industry, Trade and Investment.

Northerners are certainly quite concerned, as are many Canadians, about the whole issue of climate change. They are aware that we need to do business a lot differently than we have been, and that it is not necessarily easy. They are willing to shoulder their responsibilities to provide leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I’m quite concerned about this policy of not allowing support to be spent in an environmentally responsible way. Will the Minister immediately review the so-called travel policy and make the change to allow...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Minister’s Statement 1-16(2), Sessional Statement, and would like to report. I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

I have no other people on my list, here, so I would like to turn it over to the Premier for any responses.

Mr. Premier.

Time is coming close here.

A point of clarification. At this time, in his position as Premier and Minister of Finance, is the Premier aware of any mechanisms we could use to put the Deh Cho Bridge before this House for a go–no go vote?

My questions are for the Minister of Public Works and Services.

What contracted services does G.N.W.T. have with southern vendors?

What are the costs of these G.N.W.T. contracted services with southern vendors?

How many jobs are associated with the G.N.W.T. contracted services from southern vendors?

Mr. Speaker, as incredible as it may seem in this day and age, this government still does not have a specific legislative or regulative mechanism for requiring financial security for mining lessors of Commissioner’s Land. Has this cost the taxpayer and the environment? You betcha — in spades — and I suspect with more costs to come.

Mr. Speaker, in his Budget Address in February 2006, the Minister of Finance noted that the operating surplus had actually changed to a deficit, due in part to the accrual of a $23 million liability for the Giant Mine Remediation. As party to an agreement with Canada...

I understand that literacy programs can be most effective when they are targeted for particular groups of people. There are something like five or six different groups of people that have quite different needs. I want some assurance that the program will recognize those needs. It is sort of a new insight in the last few years, so I am looking for some assurance from the Minister that that sort of detail will be addressed in that strategy. Thank you very much.

I am aware of the adult literacy and basic education programs in the communities. I understand that most of those positions are currently filled, which is great. That’s progress.

I’m also interested in what role this department will take in leading a coordinated response, which seems to be a core kernel of this opportunity. Coordination of both federal and industry roles has the benefits of sharing costs and program delivery, but again, I would like to see this government take a leadership role. We know our people. We know their needs.

What role is this department taking to ensure that that...