David Krutko

Mr. Speaker, again, I believe we do from time to time have to look at the different policies and procedures we have in place. If they’re not working, let’s tinker with them and try to make them work. But let’s not totally eliminate programs and services because they may not be meeting our objectives. At the end of the day the goal is to build capacity. We are having some major problems out there, especially at the community levels and even in regard to the regional levels, where you only have one major contractor in the Northwest Territories. I think we have to do a better job of inviting...

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Subcommittee on Infrastructure, Mr. Michael McLeod. It’s in relation to my statement earlier with regard to the Business Incentive Policy. More importantly, we have these policies, and we have the ability as Northerners to receive preferential treatment on different types of contracts in the North and also to be exempt from certain federal and national implications such as free trade. There is also the trade agreement between the provinces and arrangements in land-claim agreements. I think as government we have to...

At this time I’d like to ask the Minister of Health to introduce her witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to speak to the statement made by the Minister of ITI yesterday, and it’s more in line with the Business Incentive Policy that has been established since 1984.

A lot has happened since then in the Northwest Territories and in North America. More apparent is the North American Free Trade Agreement — better known as NAFTA — which was negotiated between Canada and the United States in regard to free trade. Also, as part of that agreement there were exemptions allowed for jurisdictions in Canada that would have been grandfathered — programs we’ve...

Okay. We’ll take a break until the witnesses get here. Thank you.

The Committee of the Whole took a short recess.

At this time, I would like to ask the Minister if she’d be bringing any witnesses. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regard to the area of program delivery and services, I think as a government we have tried different things in the past. Some things have worked out, and other things have been problems by way of recruitment, implementation. I’ll use some examples. The midwifery legislation that was passed — and we were able to activate that program — seemed to be originating in one community, which is Fort Smith. But to enhance that program to other regions and other communities…. I know my colleague from Deh Cho made reference that it was something that community would like to also...

I’d like to call the Committee of the Whole to order.

Committee of the Whole, in consideration of bills and other matters: Bill 8, Committee Report 2-16(2), Committee Report 3-16(2), Committee Report 4-16(2), Committee Report 5-16(2), Committee Report 6-16(2), Committee Report 7-16(2), Tabled Document 37-16(2).

What’s the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Minister Lee.