Bob Bromley

Next on my list is Mrs. Groenewegen.

Continuing with the response to the Premier’s sessional statement, I’d like to call on Mr. Beaulieu.

Mr. Chairman, there were many, many things that I liked in the sessional statement, and you know when I say that, there’s more to follow. I thought a number of things did actually reflect some of our early discussions on our priorities and vision. It was when we got to “maximizing opportunities,” and even there I was doing well. I was totally with the Premier until we reached the statement of blind support that says we can do all this with the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. As a biologist in the old days, we always used to look for the one solution, too. And you know what? We never found it. It’s...

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...

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...

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?

I’m looking forward to that strategy. I realize it has been a five-year program review. This apparently is a huge opportunity for economic development and should catch the ear of this government.

What role will the Members on this side of the House have for input into that strategy?

My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Given the clear opportunity for improving lives, increasing revenues and reducing costs that improved literacy skills provide, and given cabinet’s recent meeting with literacy specialist Mr. Scott Murray, brought in by the N.W.T. Literacy Council, what changes are you proposing to support and enhance literacy education in the Northwest Territories so we can enjoy these returns?