Bob Bromley

I don’t recall at all making any comments about shutting anything down. I’m not sure where the Premier is coming from on that.

One practical barrier I’ve heard is that our meeting schedules are very demanding. We compress a year’s worth of meetings and diverse, very intense activity from morning to night, that’s probably especially true for the Premier. It has been shown in other jurisdictions that reasonable meeting schedules are more family friendly and, therefore, encourage more participation by people with families, both women and men.

Would the Premier commit to studying this issue and...

I am looking for evidence of that. This inability to actually get projects done on the energy front may also be a result of the fracturing of the energy portfolio between at least six government departments.

Has the Premier explored the possibility of combining these functions into an office of energy that would allow for better coordination of energy initiatives and provide a direct line of responsibility to a single Minister? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to thank my colleagues for all the very interesting and good comments I have received here. I think it demonstrates that there are a lot of questions and it is a serious issue. I think there are underlying issues here that we are discussing. How appropriate is it for government to partner with large corporations, especially oil corporations and so on in dealing with our youngest? That’s what we’re talking about here. We’ve heard about sponsoring teams in the Arctic Winter Games. No, no, we’re talking about early childhood development here. Illiteracy is very strong...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on my Member’s statement with questions for the Premier under the portfolio of responsibility for new energy initiatives, energy initiatives that we know are a core opportunity to address cost of living issues for residents and businesses in the NWT. As the Minister for new energy initiatives, I asked the Premier why this government’s tendency to not build modest hydro plants while pursuing dreams of mega projects that are never realized is ongoing. Is it poor planning or is this a result of an overly ambitious vision at the leadership level? What...

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m wondering: is there a requirement through these sponsorships for a branding of these iPads, a strict branding that will go along with the iPads into the homes of our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

We need to be innovative and recognize our vast territory and we need power solutions that are scaled to our communities and our geography. Our communities should be adopting the cutting edge in efficient technology and renewable power production. Above all, though, both politicians and senior staff need to focus their thinking, get some hardhats, safety shoes and shovels and concentrate on building actual projects in our communities. Mahsi.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don’t seem to be getting a full understanding here. I understand that the department called for sponsorship in purchase of iPads in 2013 through a public call for that. Why was that done and what was the response?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The last question I have, are the mine inspectors that transferred over, are they in ITI or, sort of, ENR, because I believe that’s the department we’re on here, or are they in ITI or Lands? Thank you.

I was offering to read the Minister’s briefing note out that explains that, if he would like me to.

Thanks.