Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. This has been one of the topics that I’m passionate about, is our Territorial Power Subsidy Program and where we’re going with the territorial power subsidy. I’m just wondering, has the Minister looked at the terms of reference of how they wish to look at this subject. I’m of the mind that everyone has to pay the same, just like every other jurisdiction in Canada. I might be going a bit outside the topic here, but I wonder if there’s leeway at all in the deliberation of the territorial power support and, indeed, of the Power Corporation of looking at their...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I believe that the seniors were looking for something further. They’re owning their own houses and in the diesel communities, Mr. Chairman, they are paying quite a bit. I don’t know if it’s leaks in their system, but I’m telling the Minister they’re only taking home $750 a month and their power bill is $250. That’s far beyond what they can afford. They’re asking if there’s a way for us to subsidize the power elders are receiving, beyond the way it exists now. Is there some other supplementary way of doing it much like we’re contributing towards our costs of…I...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That does shed some light for me and I would like to thank the Minister for that answer. There is another thing that concerns me. As we reviewed the departments in the draft main estimates, there are still some departments that do business a little bit differently. That kind of concerns me in terms of the budgeting process. The Housing Corporation is one and MACA is another. That is one of the issues that I have been bringing up. I believe I asked the Minister at one point if we follow the generally accepted accounting principles when doing our budgets. The...

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is pleased to provide its comments on the Financial Management Board Secretariat.

During the review of the 2005-2006 Draft Main Estimates for FMBS, the Minister provided an update on the status of the consolidation of the GNWT’s human resource services, including the initial transfer of six human resource positions from the Executive and the creation of a new assistant deputy minister position.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is in support of ongoing work to consolidate human resource...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services:

What is the plan for the department to establish a long-term care facility for Fort Liard?

What is the plan for the department to expand current long-term care facilities in Fort Simpson to accommodate more patients?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just curious as to the process the department used over the past year to help this Nahendeh Air proposal move forward. Earlier last year I spoke and said let’s get somebody from the department identified to work with the groups, to help them through the proposal stages, and at this time I’m here again asking the department look, there was a process here, we asked for your assistance. What happened on your end because from the community level, from the proponent's side, they are doing the best that they can, Mr. Speaker? Will the Minister continue his assurance...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of RWED, with regard to the Nahendeh Air proposal. It was submitted to his office about a year ago, Mr. Speaker, and we’re failing to understand why it’s taking so long to get government support for this program. To date, we’ve got the businesses on side, we’ve got the communities on side, we’ve got the regional people on side, we have federal support and yet nothing is forthcoming from the GNWT RWED department. I fail to understand what exactly we’re waiting for, Mr. Speaker. I would like the Minister of RWED to tell me and...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. One of the things I’m starting to hear back in my riding is that as I talk to the elders, they’re saying, okay, listen, you guys are helping me subsidize my fuel and I still need assistance with my cost of living. Can the government subsidize the power for elders, those over the age of 65 and on pension? Is that something this review could look at, Mr. Chairman?

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I wasn’t quite clear if the Minister was willing to allow it as part of the terms of reference when they’re reviewing the Territorial Power Support Program. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I have a motion. I move that this committee recommends that the chairman of the Financial Management Board work diligently with the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to deal proactively with the growing financial and human resource liability and that the Sirius Diamond receivership issue be resolved in the public interest no later than April 1, 2005;

And further, the committee recommends that the GNWT establish a firm position for dealing with diamond mines and resolve the issues affecting the viability of the secondary diamond processing industry in the NWT...