David Krutko

Does the committee agree that the Minister brings in his witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just going through the briefing with regard to this item, it seems like we are spending a lot of money on outside agencies but very little by way of community-type projects and looking at the water issues regarding our communities such as boil water orders and people still having challenges. With regard to Aklavik and THMs and not really focussing on community-based water issues, it seems like your department is trying to solve the national issues in Canada, but not focussing on community-based health and water aspects. What are we doing to work with those communities...

Mr. Minister, just to be on the public record, could you introduce your witness, please.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. Prior to the break we agreed to deal with Tabled Document 53 and 54. At this time I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the bill if you have any opening comments. Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Again, if we’re not able to get that information immediately, I suggest that we postpone this section of this bill and deal with it once we get the information from the Minister. Because I think to make a decision on spending $2.2 million, we should know exactly how it’s going to be expended and if we’re spending money on something that’s not going to take effect until future years, I think we have a real problem. Spending money on implementation of an agreement that is not even close to being finalized. More importantly, if you implement agreements after you have an agreement. It’s kind of...

Question is being called.

---Carried

Does committee agree?

Can we get an idea of how many dollars have been allocated since the signing of the agreement-in-principle with these groups and what the terms of these dollars are? Is it up to December 31st or is it on an as needed basis?

Mrs. Groenewegen.

It’s not a simple question of cash switching hands. Sweat equity is a way that people do work things off, and I know in the past, people did trade, barter, and did whatever they had to do to help the other person out. I think that should still originate in this government. I think we have to be conscious that people do have talents in our communities, and if you can make use of those talents and tell them you can work it off, I think that’s all I’m asking for.

I’d like to ask the Minister to take this into serious consideration. Since you look at the arrears that are out there, I think it’s...