Jane Groenewegen

Mr. Speaker, in information I was able to get from the Department of Human Resources, they said there’s currently a backlog of requests for personalized pension counselling. I’d like to know what the nature of that backlog is and why, for a department with 125 employees in headquarters, there would be a backlog.

Is the pre-retirement program that was advertised and sent out to all government recipients — the one that costs $400 — intended for people planning to retire? Does our government expect retiring employees to pay $400 to learn about their retirement options?

It is also my pleasure today to welcome the grades 5 and 6 students from École Boréale to the Legislative Assembly. I’d like to recognize my constituency assistant and thank her and your assistant, Mr. Speaker, for their help in planning this event today. I’d also like to recognize the teachers of these students: Kim Ivanko and Patrick Poisson. I’d also like to recognize the students — and give us a big wave — Mason Bruneau, Paige Kruger, Andrew Payeur and Andrea Walker.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that we report progress.

Mr. Speaker, I think that as elected leaders and politicians, it's very important that we have the ability to make decisions and be able and prepared to back those decisions up with clear communication and a rationale for those decisions.

I have tried to be very transparent and clear when I raise my voice in this House to speak out on issues. I have expressed that I have concerns with the budget that has been presented. I've spoken in the House and in the media interviews about why I have those concerns. I make no apologies for that. I have the right, in fact the obligation, as an elected...

We would like to deal with Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, and Bill 7, Securities Act.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and that Committee Report 4-16(2) be moved into Committee of the Whole for today.

Unanimous consent granted.

Mr. Speaker, the petition I would like to table contains 1,282 signatures of residents from across the Northwest Territories. The petition asks that Members of the Legislative Assembly vote “no” to any budget proposal that contains such reductions.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot support the principle of the bill for this budget for many reasons. I’m going to attempt, in the time allotted today, to explain some of those reasons.

There is so much wrong with this budget that, in fact, there is more wrong with it than there is right with it. During the budget process which would follow this if this were given second reading, we only have the ability to delete. Anything that we’d like to add is only a recommendation. What would make the Cabinet listen to those recommendations now? Maybe some people are hopeful, but I’m not.

Mr. Speaker...