Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Member will do well for his seniors and the people in his constituency. Those are normal business activities and we’ll ensure that the proper authorities that are in place are making sure that they meet the safety requirements of individuals in your communities. So we’ll get that message sent down and sent down quick. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, along with the Members of this Assembly, congratulate you and look forward to working with you as the Speaker of the 16th Legislative Assembly; as well, for the Members, for your support for putting me into this position. It's going to take the work of all of us to make the lives better for the people of the Northwest Territories. We're going to face many challenges, but I believe, in working together, we can build and strengthen this place we call home: the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we heard about the sacrifice Members make in coming...

I wanted to recognize Mr. Todd Parsons, president of the UNW.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the Member, whenever he rises on a question, would like to hear a simple plain yes to his questions, but I think at times we have to take a step back and look at the whole process. As we have in the past, we have looked at multi-year funding programs. There are a number of them in place, but there are so many differences between the specific departments and programs; whether they’re contract, contribution, that all has to be taken into consideration. I don’t think it is as easy as saying one process will work for everyone. But as stated, I’ll...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member himself has stated, multi-year funding has been entered into in a number of areas through a number of departments and that continues to be the program we do have available. Each department would look at a case-by-case if they could support that. Ultimately, whether we call it multi-year funding or not, every year has to have its approval through our budget process and the approval of this Assembly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is not too often, since becoming a Member of the 15th Legislative Assembly and serving as a Minister in this government, I have had an opportunity to stand up and reflect on the constituents of Inuvik Boot Lake or the work that I have done on their behalf. I felt this morning and my wife reminded me as she is back home and said, other people are doing it. You need to get up and say something as well.

I tend to try to leave things for back home and talk to the folks there, but I want to say to the people of Inuvik Boot Lake I have to most sincerely...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of multi-year funding has been looked at by departments and, as I’ve stated, we do enter into multi-year agreements; they are case by case. I can, once again, bring back to my colleagues on the Cabinet side if this is to be reviewed and if there are potential changes that could be made there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. There may be a couple in there, but I always prided myself in sticking to two and a half minutes. I thought I might be able to do that, but I guess I have been a politician for awhile and I have gone on longer as the hair has gone whiter. I just want to say, without the staff that we have to help us do our job, to help us keep us on time, keep us on track and keep us moving, it would be a very long, arduous process. I have to thank them. From the front line staff I have had this term to staff I have had in Inuvik, they definitely help us do our job...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since 1999, the NWT has had the fastest growing economy in Canada…

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…with an average annual growth rate almost three times the national average. This rapid increase has led to higher income levels in the territory and a labour market operating at close to full capacity.

Looking ahead, the NWT will see the completion of the Snap Lake diamond mine later this year, along with additional investment at the Diavik and Ekati mines. A fourth diamond mine is under assessment. These developments will result in continued strong growth in our economy, placing...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the equipment, along with a lot of other health centres as we’ve engaged in implementing our Telehealth Program throughout the Territories, is in the community, but it’s a matter of getting some work done on the facility to have the proper hook-ups in place. That should be happening fairly soon, but I don’t have the specific date. I can get that to the Member. Thank you.