Jane Groenewegen

Is there an actual record of decision from the Financial Management Board, signed off by the Minister of Finance, I would suppose, or someone acting for the Minister of Finance which would grant that appropriation authority up to that limit Mr. Aumond is speaking about?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My questions are going to continue today on the area of the negotiated contract for the Inuvik schools replacement and also, I guess, follow up somewhat on the questions I was asking in the House today that the Premier answered.

In question period a few days ago I asked the Minister of Education if the contract had been awarded for the Inuvik schools replacement. I was told that it had been. Later on in Committee of the Whole, upon further questioning actually, I found out that it was a letter of award and it wasn’t the actual contract that had been signed.

I want to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that these capital projects come in phases and that appropriations are voted in various years related to the work that will be done in that fiscal year. However, I am concerned that a letter equivalent to a letter of award was offered to a construction company, Dowland construction, without the appropriation having been voted on in this House. That is still before us today; that appropriation under the Department of ECE is still before us today. So I’m concerned about the timing and the process. Whose authority it was under that that letter was sent is important...

Mr. Speaker, obviously I don’t have access to those letters of support. I have seen a list of the people who did provide letters of support, but I haven’t seen those letters of support.

I would like to know if the Premier would be prepared to make those letters of support available to this House and to the Members. Also, did the letter of support from the Gwich’in include anything about receiving part of the work that would be associated with this negotiated contract? It’s my understanding that Dowland Contracting is 51 per cent owned by the Inuvialuit, and it is also my understanding that...

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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will devote my Member’s statement to the life and memory of Cal Mains. Mr. Mains is survived by his wife of 55 years, Alice, his daughters, Catherine and Anne, and his son, Sandy. Our condolences are extended to them at this time.

There is much to be celebrated of his life and his contribution to the North. Mr. Mains first moved to the North in 1950, serving as an RCMP officer in the communities of Aklavik, Herschel Islands and Tuktoyaktuk before retiring from the staff sergeant position in 1969 in Fort Smith. He also served for a time in the Yukon.

After retiring...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was actually interested in the terms of reference of the program review. I would like to know — and as I have indicated, there have been add-ons to government infrastructure — if there is funding available through other sources or through community resources to incorporate other activities — maybe not specifically into high school education — into buildings that are being built. Like I said, since we’re delayed now, anyway, on this capital project…. Not to muddy the waters, but I think it would be good to put out some kind of a call for anybody who may have input in...

My questions weren’t on that page. What page are we on?

Interjection.

I know when I chaired the Cultural Enhancement Commission, there were members of the commission who wanted to see everything around the Legislative Assembly cleared, brushed, but I guess it was the intent of the architect who designed this building at the time to keep as much area surrounding the Legislative Assembly as natural as possible. Might I suggest that with the lake out back and everything else, it has been left very natural.

I personally would not have any problem with looking at some fill for that area out front there. We have a large piece of land here, and a large portion of it is...