Floyd Roland

Thank you. The process underway is working with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They’re running and we’re supporting them in their work and delivery within the community. I can’t speak to it and I’d have to find out if there’s a process of if they’ve invited those within our correctional facilities. I think that when you look at the programs and services, that we do provide those who are in the facilities the counselling opportunities, on the land. In cases, we’ve reached out and tried to provide our own counselling over the years.

When this became a growing matter across Canada and...

Again, as I was saying earlier, we are aware that Alberta is going through a number of critical changes in its power generation moving away from coal-fired generation, having to replace it with either natural gas generation or clean hydro as a potential. We know that there are opportunities available. We have had that initial discussion to begin looking at that to see if there’s an economic base there where we can open that up, and that would also help us with our industry side here in the North when it comes to anchor tenants.

If there’s that grid connection, that means at times when they don...

The work that we have done around the Hydro Strategy and, more specifically, on the Taltson, as the information has become available, it’s caused us to have another look at how we would continue with the work that’s been done on Taltson, looking at the grid connections here in the Northwest Territories as well as to southern potential customer base that is there. We know that Alberta is going through quite a process of having to remove its coal generation, so there’s a potentially large client there.

One of the meetings I’ve had with the chair of the corporation, and he shared this with the...

Thank you. The approach that the Power Corp has taken on this project on a number of areas was to minimize the costs. For example, after going out for our fee, the corporation chose a contractor to negotiate the price down, because the one portion, the construction portion was higher than anticipated, and they worked that number back down through an agreement in construction. There is also a portion of the contact that if there’s a savings on moving ahead on this project at lower than expected prices, that will reduce the overall impact, as well. So the corporation has taken a number of steps...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The confirmed budget with contingency is targeted now at $37.4 million.

The issue with the health boards is that in trying to get the numbers, some have not been able to provide the additional numbers, so there may be some additional summer students out there that we’re not aware of. The other area is we’ve given them budgets to operate within and we’ve given them the authority to make those decisions, as well. We’ll try to get all the information so that we have fully updated numbers as we progress. I know the Department of Human Resources works with all departments to try to pool all those together and we’ll continue to do that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every day our employees deliver critical programs and services to the residents of the Northwest Territories. The Premier’s Awards recognize this outstanding service and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of those employees who demonstrate excellence and innovation in meeting the objectives of work as a government.

Earlier today I was pleased to present the 2011 Premier’s Awards to 36 such dedicated public servants and 20 external collaborative partners.

Three team awards were presented in the 2011 season recognizing:

the creation of the Good Building Practice for...

I believe we will be there this summer, with a total of five between the two departments.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have one that is hired and two positions that are in the process of being filled within Executive. Within Aboriginal Affairs I have two working in the department and another P1 in the process, as well.

Thank you. The approach that the Power Corp has taken on this project on a number of areas was to minimize the costs. For example, after going out for our fee, the corporation chose a contractor to negotiate the price down, because the one portion, the construction portion was higher than anticipated, and they worked that number back down through an agreement in construction. There is also a portion of the contact that if there’s a savings on moving ahead on this project at lower than expected prices, that will reduce the overall impact, as well. So the corporation has taken a number of steps...