Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course, we’re always prepared to meet with anybody who wants to meet with us.

Mr. Speaker, this government understands that the protection of the land, water and environment matters to Northerners. It matters to us too.

Sustainable responsible development has always been a priority for our government. As part of devolution, we committed to improving and strengthening the way we manage development in the Northwest Territories, to ensure that it reflects northern values and priorities while providing for the creation of jobs and economic opportunities through responsible sustainable development.

We already have a strong system based on federal and territorial law and...

All of the rates that are approved have to go through the PUB process.

I’m not sure where he’s getting his numbers from but my understanding is it’s only a difference of one or two cents.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices. Having an affordable, reliable and secure energy system that takes into account economic development and impacts to the environment is central to this goal.

In 2014 the Government of the Northwest Territories hosted its second Energy Charrette in response to concerns about increasing costs of energy, the low water level at the Snare hydroelectricity site, and the estimated costs to connect the North and South Slave transmission...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 35-17(5), Lobbyist Registry.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, earlier today I had the opportunity to recognize award recipients within the Government of the Northwest Territories and their collaborative partners from outside the public service with the Premier’s Awards for Excellence and Collaboration in a ceremony in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly.

These innovative, engaged staff are essential in providing the best possible service to the people of the Northwest Territories, and I am pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015 Premier’s Awards.

Award for Excellence – Individuals:

Dr. Sarah Cook with the Yellowknife Health and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to recognize two presenters who assisted with the awards. One was Matt Young from NWT IPAC and also Charles Perron from Canadian Public Sector Leader, Deloitte, for the awards that were awarded this morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to make a few comments. First of all, with regard to the question of due process, we mentioned it yesterday that committee was offered briefings on three occasions but chose not to take advantage of them. The last letter that we sent was December 18th. There was no response from committee as to the feedback and the response to the previous correspondence.

Communications in the public sector is about ensuring that citizens have access to their government. It means providing them with information they need to access programs and services and to benefit...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We did a communications review that looked at all of our responsibilities. They also interviewed deputy ministers and senior management and offered to interview MLAs. We also recognize the fact that, as we stated, we have new authorities, new legislation and program responsibilities, and also the communications environment is changing very rapidly with the advent of social media, 24/7 news cycles, and we also focused on communications professions standards such as communications policy, currency and congruence, strategic management of the communications function...