David Krutko

Can the Premier commit to come back to this House with some of those types of initiatives, so that we can also take them back to our constituencies and meet with the district education boards and health boards to find solutions to these problems we’re having with recruiting?

Clauses 121 to 140, pages 101-125.

Clauses 121 through 140 inclusive approved.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Welcome, Mr. Aitken.

General comments. Are there any general comments? The floor is open to general comments. Is the committee agreed we go into detail?

Again, the problem seems to be around the area of collective bargaining in regard to the northern allowance that’s offered and with regard to a housing subsidy. I think we have to work around that. Like I say, through the nursing staff that we have in our communities who worry about the work — that’s through the precedence that’s there. Can we work either through the collective bargaining agreement or with the different professions to have some sort of universal program in isolated communities outside regional centres where there is no real housing market? It is having a major effect on...

Clauses 81 to 100, pages 69-77.

Clauses 81 through 100 inclusive approved.

Does committee agree that the Minister brings in his witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.

Whatever decision we make going forward has to be one that’s seen over the long term — not just four years ahead, eight years ahead or, as in my case, 12 years ahead, but 20 years ahead, to ensure that whatever we do here…the implications and impacts will be minimized and the long-term effects resolved, so that we’re able to find ways of filling those gaps and don’t have to live with them long into the future.

With that, I will be asking questions to the Premier on this matter.

Clauses 41 to 60.

Clauses 41 through 60 inclusive approved.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. At this time, I would like to ask the Chair of the committee which is overseeing the bill if he has any opening comments. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you. We will proceed with consideration on Bill 7, clause by clause. Clauses 1 to 20.

Clauses 1 through 20 inclusive approved.