Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier, in follow-up to Mr. Braden’s questions with respect to comments that the Premier recently made that were attributed to him in the media. I will just paraphrase; it was to the effect that without a resource revenue sharing agreement with Ottawa, the pipeline would not go ahead. I have to tell you I was somewhat surprised to read that, given some of our previous discussions, but I was pleased because I made it very clear in other communications with the Premier that I believe that for us to proceed without our rightful...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is not the first instance of this type. Just a couple of weeks ago in the newspaper, it was determined the information was released that a Hay River child was in fact murdered by another parolee who had done federal time for murder previously. This is a small jurisdiction. Now there are two incidents within one year. Does the Minister see a way in which things could be improved in terms of communication? The court case would seem to indicate in one instance that the judge felt that there was a dangerous offender. Is there not a...

Thank you. I would like to recognize my neighbour and fellow Hay River North resident, Mr. Gordon Norberg.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier then that these are called Premier’s awards, but it sounds like he doesn’t have any input into who gets chosen, he doesn’t finely screen the recipients in the end. Wouldn’t the Premier agree that these awards would have more meaning and would be regarded more highly if he personally would become involved in it, and if there was some sensitivity to some balance of who works in the public service in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

That's an interesting answer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

Perhaps with a little bit less vagueness the Minister could tell me approximately what kind of dollar value is associated right now with placements outside of the Northwest Territories of persons with disabilities. What kind of dollars are being expended by this government for those clients, those over one dozen? Thank you.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, right now are there any facilities in the Northwest Territories similar to what is being offered right now where these clients are accommodated in Alberta? Are there facilities currently open with vacancies in the North at this time? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have listened with interest to the comments made in this House and in the media over the past week with respect to northern clients with disabilities who are being cared for in Alberta. I realize that there may be occasions when northern residents cannot receive very specialized services that they may require in the North, given our smaller population and more limited services.

The one group home being referred to has had difficulty with their licensing, insurance, accreditation, and they have at least nine NWT clients residing there. Mr. Speaker, I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to hear that the Premier will take this under his authority, and see that this program is intended for what it is meant to be. I will take that commitment, and that is satisfactory to me. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I realize that there are many folks out there awaiting our presence in the Great Hall to deal with the Premier’s Awards for Excellence, and that is actually the program I want to speak to before we go out there. First of all I want to confess I did not submit any nominations for this awards program, but, Mr. Speaker, I am concerned with the Minister’s statement the Premier made today when he outlined who the recipients for this were. I don’t want to rain on anybody’s parade here, but, Mr. Speaker, if we are going to have awards and programs like this I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I had asked the Minister in a previous question how many northerners -- I don't need to know exactly -- I don't believe he answered that question. Does he know how many northerners are in southern placements right now currently funded by his department? Thank you.