David Krutko

Mr. Speaker, I think it’s very important that we do, whenever possible, have dialogue with the Upper House by way of the Senators that do come to the North, because they do have a role to play in what happens in Ottawa.

I think it’s important that we do get our message to not only the MPs or the Prime Minister but also the Senators by way of influencing them on issues that we’re trying to deal with. I think we have some big challenges, especially with the devolution file being where it’s at.

Again, I would like to ask the Premier if he has spoken to our Senator. Will he be meeting with Senator...

Schedule 2, Capital Investment Expenditures, Legislative Assembly, appropriation authority required: $540,000.

Schedule 2, Capital Investment Expenditures, Legislative Assembly, $540,000 approved.

Under detail, Schedule 1, Operations Expenditures, Legislative Assembly, appropriation authorized request: $4.927 million.

Schedule 1, Operations Expenditures, Legislative Assembly, $4,927,000 approved.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier, and it’s in light of my statement. There is a Senate committee which is studying rural poverty in the northern territories. They are in the Yukon on Monday; they’re here in Yellowknife on Tuesday and Wednesday; then they’re going to Iqaluit on Thursday.

I think it’s important, Mr. Speaker, that we as government intervene and also have a say in regard to what — especially with the cost of living in the Northwest Territories for our residents, especially in rural parts of the territories, and realizing that part of our deficit situation is just that:...

Page 5, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, appropriation authority required: $27,623,000.

Environment and Natural Resources, $27,623,000 approved.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Welcome to your witness.

General comments in regard to the Minister’s opening statement. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Department of Transportation, appropriation authority required: $26,756,000.

Transportation, $26,756,000 approved.

At this time I’ll ask the Minister if he’d like to bring in witnesses.

We are under Education. So, Mr. Bromley, if you have a question under Education.

With that, we’ll take a short break and begin with general comments.

The Committee of the Whole took a short recess.