Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does the Finance Minister concur that we cannot negotiate devolution and resource revenue sharing alone, as a stand-alone government, and tell me what is in our process right now that guarantees or confirms to us that the participation of aboriginal governments is there? When he goes to Ottawa, is he going to take somebody who represents the Aboriginal Summit, who speaks for the aboriginal governments as well as for this government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Finance today in follow-up to his budget address. Mr. Speaker, whenever we talk about the fiscal situation in our government, whenever we talk about resource revenue sharing, we talk about royalties and devolution. As a territorial government, this can never be done in the absence of talking about the aspirations and the cooperation of aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories, as well. I know that the budget address was somewhat abbreviated today, but I noticed almost right away -- and I actually mentioned to my...

Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if we are going to have signs kind of out in the hinterland, perhaps something easier to remember would be 911. Can the Minister please tell me what the status is of integrating our highway emergency system with that universally recognized number 911? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One other question I have for the Minister is with respect to the information about buffalo on the road. Right now there is a big sign which is a cut-out of a buffalo. That is to tell people, watch out, there are buffalo on the road or bison crossing sign. Is it possible or would it be easy to put up signs that would suggest to motorists that if they come across a herd of buffalo close to or on the highway, they could flash their lights for the next motorist coming down the road as a way of warning them that they may be coming upon something that is dangerous? Has...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the recent federal election, I’d like to make a few comments in view of the significance of the federal government in relation to our government. I’d like to congratulate the people who ran to represent the Western Arctic in the House of Commons. Having choices is what makes our democratic system work. Each put forth a credible effort to ensure the constituents were informed of their positions.

A special congratulations to Dennis Bevington for his tenacity in seeking and now winning the seat for this riding. Dennis is well-informed and respected...

Mr. Speaker, then, to the assumption that somehow we were giving away the farm with this letter of comfort, I sort of fail to see what we have actually given them. I think the letter has integrity and it has intention attached to it, but I don’t think it’s like a province that sold their power to the U.S. -- a certain province we know -- for years to come. They are going to be stuck with an agreement forever. I don’t think it’s anything like that. So in an effort, then, to clarify how this letter was interpreted or responded to by the Producers Group, I just wish the Premier could put it in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to Mr. Braden’s questions today, I would like to ask the Premier some questions about this letter of comfort that he provided just so that there is clarity about it, because I don’t think the public knows too much about it. As the Premier indicated, it was brought to our attention prior to it going out. My reaction to it at the time was Imperial Oil and the producers were asking about certainty and comfort on taxation, royalties about the future and going ahead with their project. I would like to ask the Premier, do we set the royalties that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was actually a constituent of mine who recommended that. Normal people just flash their lights for oncoming traffic if there is an RMCP radar set up, but I think we should do it for buffalo. I think it would be more important. The other question I have is along the highway, there are signs. When you come by every community, it says…or even not by a community, it can be out in the middle of nowhere. It says, if you are in an emergency, phone this number: 669-1111. I was just curious of all the expense that we went to to put those signs up along the highway, how...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today my questions are for the Honourable Michael McLeod, the Minister of Transportation. I often embark on a drive between Hay River and Yellowknife and vice versa. It is always an adventure. It won’t be such an adventure when the bridge goes in, but it is always interesting now. The Minister, in the past, and his department have been very responsive to suggestions that might keep the travelling public on the highways more informed of the condition of the roads and the status of the ferry crossing and so on. Just over the past couple of months with...