Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank Mr. Ramsay for bringing this motion forward. We’re talking about the best interests of children, and I believe that first and foremost the best interests of children are to be in a home, in a family, where they have parents who are in a committed and long-lasting relationship. However, we know this is not always possible.

When a relationship breaks down, then I think it does become incumbent upon the law and the lawmakers in the process to ensure that children are never used as a pawn or as a weapon of one against the other, because in those types of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would concur that with the P3 projects, whether it’s the Deh Cho Bridge or the Taltson Hydro Expansion or whatever it is we’re talking about, certainly our government has taken the majority of the risk. Therefore, I think we should be in a position to make up the rules. I’d like to ask the Premier if he would also agree to try and engage northern industry in any policy that’s developed, to ensure we have something very concrete when it comes to maximizing the benefits to Northerners through northern participation in any major capital infrastructure project.

Hand in hand with that concept, I think the Deh Cho Bridge project gave us clear evidence that we need something more solid in our policy about P3 projects than references in the Financial Administration Act, which would also cover the leasing of photocopiers. I’d like to ask the Premier: where are we at in developing a policy that would allow us to enter into P3 projects on a more solid footing?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a page from Hay River who is a grade 8 student at Diamond Jenness Secondary School and thank him for serving us in the Assembly this week — Zachary Pangborn.

Mr. Chair, the wish of the committee is to deal with everything you’ve just listed in that order.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad this motion is being brought forward today. I, obviously, support it. I think we could spend a lot of time and money reviewing the BIP again. In fact, the BIP does not cost this government very much money.

As Mr. Hawkins said and as the motion says, if we delete the BIP or get rid of it, we will not have an opportunity to get it back. Most companies that are bidding…. Where it’s northern company against northern company, a preference or a premium does not even come into play. So in fact, it does not cost this government anything. I think the dollar value that’s...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Premier this afternoon. The GNWT went out to RFP for a liquor retail contract in Hay River. The contract was awarded. The liquor store would move from the downtown to the industrial area, as per the contract. The development permit for the new location that was granted by the town was appealed. Opponents to the change of location, for various reasons that I won’t go into, appealed to the courts. This matter has been in limbo for more than a year. I’d like to ask the Premier, as the grantor of the contract for the liquor retail services in the...

Specifically to Hay River residents, how would they be made aware of their ability to comment or participate in this consultation with respect to this directive?

Thanks, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Recently the Minister issued a directive with respect to enrolment in French first-language schools in the Northwest Territories, stating that those admitted for enrolment in these schools will be entitled under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and/or by Ministerial approval.

I’d like to ask the Minister: how does this directive differ or vary from the practice that has been in place in the past with respect to enrolment?

I’d like to thank the Minister for that answer. My constituent will be listening.

The other thing I had raised with the Minister but wanted to put on the public record is the use of the facilities at Escarpment Creek. Escarpment Creek is a unique geological area. It is in a park that was designated for camping. Now it is gated off, and it’s available only for group activities at a rate of $300 per event.

I’d like to ask the Minister if, when considering the facilities, the rates, and so on, he’d consider Escarpment Creek being opened up again so that people driving by could stop in and take a...