Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee defer further consideration of the activity “Education and Culture” under the Department of Education, Culture and Employment — Capital Estimates 2009–2010 on pages 7-7 and 7-8 at this time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this morning I had the opportunity to sit on a panel at CBC to consider the performance of our Premier for his first year in office. The short amount of time did not provide enough time to share all the thoughts I had on this matter.

Last night at the Aboriginal Sport Circle Gala former NHL coach and player Ted Nolan gave the keynote address. A theme he presented from his years of working on or with a team is that we have to learn to win with what we have.

We have a team here. We have chosen our captain, our linesmen, but we have to work with other players that...

Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Miltenberger said that Dowland construction — the majority is owned by the Inuvialuit. I just wondered if the Minister was aware if the Inuvialuit beneficial shareholders benefit directly, monetarily, from the IRC business interests.

I guess the reason I ask that, then, is because I find it curious that this morning, when I was asking questions about this negotiated contract — and I did not direct my questions to the Premier — the questions were not referred to the Minister of Public Works and Services but to the Premier. It’s just an interesting point I want to make: if this was being discussed in the Cabinet Room, the Premier and Finance Minister remove themselves from the room, but when it’s brought up here in the House and there’s a defence to be made for a specific capital project, in fact the Premier would take the...

I know that RODs from FMB and Cabinet are protected and privileged information, but I was wondering if the Minister of Finance could please tell us who signed the record of decision to proceed with this contract.

Can the Minister tell me: what was the date of the letter? I don’t have the letter of intent or the letter that’s been referred to interchangeably as the contract or letter of intent or letter of award. I don’t have that letter in front of me. What’s the date on that letter?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe the wish of the committee is to continue on today with the capital acquisition document. I believe we’ll start off with the Legislative Assembly and then resume where we were on the list yesterday. I believe we’re going to ECE next.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if she is aware of a rating system that rates all hospitals in Canada. If she is, could she tell us where the U of A sits on that rating? I think they sit at the top.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has referred to the replacement of the schools in Inuvik, and I do not dispute that schools in Inuvik need to be replaced. You know, the Premier said they have been on the books since he was elected 13 years ago. Well, the problems in Diamond Jenness have been around as long as I have been here as well.

I would like to ask the Minister of Public Works and Services: what is the priority of this government — the comfort of government employees or an environment that is good for the educating of our children?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are about capital projects in the Northwest Territories.

I believe that when we are considering the priority placed on capital projects, the highest priority is the protection of people. To that end, I have been trying to get tabled in this House, or given to me or given to the education authority in Hay River, the air quality reports that were done at Diamond Jenness after it was discovered that asbestos was in there.

I have been told that perhaps I am asking for the wrong report. Maybe it’s not air quality I should be looking for; it should be the...