I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. In front of us today are Bill 5, Bill 6 and Bill 8. What is the wish of committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for Justice in follow-up to my Member’s statement from earlier today where I was talking about the Yellowknife Social Issues Committee. On March 22, 2011, the two departments that were active members of this committee co-signed a letter to the mayor indicating that they’re no longer going to be able to be active members. As I indicated in my Member’s statement, I understand the reason for this is we don’t want to put our employees in a position where they will be experiencing conflicts of interest. So the department...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On March 22, 2011, the deputy ministers of both Justice and Health and Social Services penned a joint letter to His Worship Mayor Gord Van Tighem concerning GNWT involvement on the City of Yellowknife’s Social Issues Committee. I tabled a copy of the letter on Wednesday afternoon.

The City of Yellowknife does not have a mandate to deal with health and social services issues within the community; no community does. This is a mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Regardless, the City of Yellowknife recognizes that they have a role in advising the GNWT and...

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Is committee agreed?

That’s fantastic news. I look forward to hearing from the Minister, once somebody has been officially put on that committee in an advisory capacity.

With respect to the letter that was sent, there was a really good statement in the letter that I think we still need to follow up on. As an advisor and having some advisory capacity to attend these meetings, it opened us up to have other departments represented at this committee as well, being Education and Housing, in an advisory capacity, as well. I was wondering if the Minister of Justice could ensure that the person that he has attending this...

This is a win-win for both sides. The city will have timely access to program information and the GNWT will always be up to date on issues concerning the residents of Yellowknife and, by default, they will be ready to respond to official requests in a proactive manner rather than reactive manner. This is a good thing. This model could be easily used in all communities throughout the NWT and would enhance relationships between the GNWT and all community and regional governments.

At the appropriate time I will be asking either the Minister of Justice or the Minister of Health and Social Services...

Agreed. Wildlife, not previously authorized, $24,000.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Minister Miltenberger.

Let’s move along to page 9, Public Works and Services, operations expenditures, directorate, not previously authorized, $5,000.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week, May 9 to 13th, is National Nursing Week, and today is International Nurses Day. I would like to take this opportunity today to highlight the valuable services that nurses provide to all residents of the Northwest Territories. This year’s theme of the National Nursing Week is “Nursing – The Health of our Nation.”

According to the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, there are 434 nurses registered to practice in the Northwest Territories. Their work helps to improve the health of our territory in substantial and meaningful...