Bob Bromley

The 16th Assembly identifies a preventative approach and a focus on tackling fundamental causes of problems as an effective and efficient way to support our people. Based on some emerging statistics and understanding, we have a huge opportunity to improve both our economic and social health by simply improving basic skill levels in our population.

In fact, many of us recently met with a national specialist who estimated that a strategic investment of $9 million to $10 million towards improving literacy levels of groups in the N.W.T. could expect a return of the same amount within a year. That’s...

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...

There are many people I would like to recognize today, starting with some elders: Ed Jeske from Yellowknife, and sitting beside him is Vivian Squires. Welcome to the gallery. And a couple of constituents: Loretta and Dick Abernethy. I think they are here; they were a minute ago. And the Alternatives North crew, the very active and amazing volunteer bunch. I see some members here: Suzette Montrieul, Ben McDonald and Steve Peterson. There are many others. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier.

Will the Premier table a comprehensive government response in this House by February 8th, 2008, to the recommendations contained in MP Bevington’s Diamonds are Forever, Our Mines are Not report, which was released publicly on November 29, 2007? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d just like to note that my vagueness at the beginning was intentional. It shows that there is a need for cooperation and integration of programs on these important subject matters. ITI would obviously be involved in this, as well. I’m happy to go with the Minister of the Environment, here. The federal subsidy rate for the establishment of wind energy was set according to costs in southern Canada. Clearly this is not suitable for us, where our energy costs are quite high relative to that. Is the Minister working with the Yukon, Nunavut, and Ottawa to get...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that assurance. It is a very serious subject with some of my constituents. The Government of Canada, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia all have whistleblower protection. I wasn’t clear on the answer. Are we moving forward with developing legislation in the form of whistleblower protection? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure that answered my question of how those pockets will be detected without sort of endangering our employees to the wrath of their supervisors. I would like a little more detail on that. How can we be sure employees will be protected? There must be an element of confidentiality or something in that to ensure that either the supervisor is not directly involved or that there is very close oversight. How will the department ensure that protection? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the mandate of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre is to expand its operations throughout the Northwest Territories. Annual core program funding from GNWT was established 25 years ago at $30,000 and it has not changed a whit as of today. Today’s board includes members from Inuvik and Hay River as it expands its programs.

We have an incredible body of artists in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. They contribute much towards healthy communities, but with a modicum of investment such as our neighbour, the Yukon, is doing quite progressively, this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is my last supplemental. I’m also wondering if the Minister is working with Aurora College and those sorts of follow-up programs to establish the learning and the knowledge in the North that we need for these renewable energy projects to come to fruition. Thank you.