Bob McLeod

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 3, Members’ statements.

---Unanimous consent granted

Most of our funding in ITI is business related. We could assist with funding to establish a business plan or to do some market research along those lines.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to point out that the Western Harvesters Assistance Program was not intended for forestry operations; it was intended for people who live on the land.

There are no existing sawmills except for one in Hay River, mainly because of the difficulty in getting access to forest resources.

In terms of business programs, business programs are available to any business and it’s all based on feasibility. I’m very pleased to point out that in conjunction with the Minister of ENR, there is Biomass Strategy funding that’s available to the tune of $5 million over three...

I’m not aware of any specific directions that are given to deputy ministers or senior managers other than I know that most employees take it upon themselves to report to their supervisors if they are involved in any organizations and so on, just to be on the safe side, I presume.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As the Minister of Finance has indicated, the previous Financial Management Board direction has been that the cost of collective bargaining not be included in the base budget primarily because the costs don’t occur every year and they are variable from one collective bargaining cycle to another. So, for example, collective agreements could last from two years to four years. So it makes it difficult to predict when funding will be required.

But on a personal level, I should serve notice that we’ll be seeking ongoing funding for collective bargaining, because we feel that we...

Mr. Speaker, the Member can be assured that the fundamental aspect of the review is to try to find ways to reduce costs and to provide cheaper energy to people in the communities. There are a number of different ways that it can be done. I will wait until the committee has had a chance to do its work and make its recommendations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

If the Member is hearing these concerns from his constituents, then there will be opportunity for them to raise those concerns. As the Premier has indicated, he will be coming forward with terms of reference and mandates for the other two reviews which the Member would have input into. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have a discussion paper that has been circulated and it asks all the questions that have been developed in conjunction with the standing committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We are providing for the participation of non-tax-based communities in a workshop with the NWT Association of Communities and we will be paying for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have very limited funds available for energy planning and we would be interested in hearing what concerns individuals have with regard to their energy costs. We will be expecting businesses that will be impacted to pay their own way when they participate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.