Floyd Roland

Mr. Speaker, if the companies or the delivery agent — or not the delivery agent, because the delivery agent is for Imperial, but the companies — that pump out gas in that community would make a request, we would consider that. We know in fact when there was talk of potential shortage, through the Petroleum Products Division, an offer for 400,000 litres was made. We were informed it wasn’t required.

Mr. Speaker, we have in fact been working. The Public Works and Services Petroleum Products Division has been in contact with community members as well, and Imperial Oil — their representatives, the agent — to try to come up with some information so we know where we’re starting from; and then as well making contact to get further information as to what the plans are for ensuring the community has a sufficient amount of gas and fuel for the winter season.

In fact, we have started a process between myself and aboriginal leaderships, as well as including the Deputy Premier. We’ve started a process. For example, shortly after the election in November, we were meeting with the regional aboriginal leadership. We’ve set up a process. We’re going to meet quarterly and discuss issues of concern between all parties.

In fact, I will be meeting with a number of the leaders. We’ve offered a meeting up actually next week. We’ll be following up with that meeting with those that can attend.

Yes. Through Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations we have begun the process. In fact, a document was tabled and made public on the consultation process. We’ve reviewed and put it out there to see if we can get some comment back from aboriginal organizations to meet the request for consultation.

As a department, we are, as well, getting a guide together for our employees and departments, so that when we discuss issues that may have an impact on Crown lands that affect aboriginal rights and treaties, it kicks into place a formal consultation process that we’re putting in place.

Mr. Speaker, all the documents that are required to bring this deal to a closure. There are a number of schedules. I don’t have a list handy with me right now, but those will bring this whole process to closure, and the banks will be satisfied. The Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, ourselves, all parties would be signing the appropriate documents. It could be at the close of the day, if we can get them all together, or tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, as we’ve come through a convention and as we’re being directed, and especially as the Premier is being directed to deliver this message, we would, on the cabinet side, be abstaining from this vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is quoting the worst-case scenario, if the project were to fail. As we’ve laid out, the traffic counts and volumes, our commitment to the project…. As was stated in this House, we recognize, as the G.N.W.T., that we are backstopping this project. So yes, through the process, through the whole arrangement, it’s been known that we will end up backing this project if it was a worst-case scenario.

But I did point out, as she was reading from Hansard, responding to a part of a question, the fact is that the lending agent who is lending the money to the Deh Cho...

Mr. Speaker, the reduction scenario and areas where we need to find permanent savings is in the area of $60 million. The target for reinvestment, putting back into the strategic areas, as we’ve highlighted in the 16th Legislative Assembly, is targeted at $75 million. We’re going to have to start at a smaller pace because we realize that we won’t be able to achieve the savings, number one, and enough savings to reinvest, number two. So it will start off at a smaller pace and grow for the life of this Assembly as we continue to reinvest. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will deliver the budget address on Thursday, May 22, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, we went through an exercise of allocation and, as well, giving guidelines as to what could be considered for savings or for reallocation or reinvestment. Some of the criteria of our programs — mandatory delivery programs, or what we’re legislated to do — is something that would have to be reviewed by every department. For the other areas, for example, we sat down in the 16th Assembly and came up with our vision, goals and priorities. Along with that, we’ve turned those into the strategic investment initiatives and highlighted a number of areas for reinvestment. The departments...