Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve taken that discussion in the House. The Member also put in written questions that we are looking at responding to. We are having the discussions. Once we’re through this budget process, we’ll be able to pay more attention to the matters of the day. I have been thoroughly occupied here in the House, so there hasn’t been a lot that’s happened out of my office other than the initial contact with the department at this juncture. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, March 11, 2013, I will move that Bill 4, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2013-2014, be read for the first time. Thank you.

For further clarity, with respect to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment:

$600,000 to increase funding identified for the tourism industry for increased investment in tourism marketing activities.

A transfer of $100,000 identified for energy policy initiatives to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to increase funding to the Energy Efficiency Incentive Program.

With respect to the Department of Health and Social Services:

An additional $330,000 to establish midwifery services in Hay River. The total amount to be allocated in 2013-2014 for this initiative is $470...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Over the last few weeks, Members of the Legislative Assembly have been working hard on reviewing the departmental budgets for the 2013-14 fiscal year. This review started with the review of the departmental 2013-14 business plans last September and consideration of the 2013-14 Main Estimates in Committee of the Whole during the current session.

As part of their review, Members of his House have recommended amendments to the 2013-14 Main Estimates:

With respect to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment:

$600,000 to increase funding identified for the tourism...

Thank you. The Member has quoted a number of technical issues at some length and I don’t have it before me. So I will get in gear and I will take that question as notice. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, that has been flagged as we get into devolution and move into implementation and resource revenues start to flow, we have to have the discussion about the money. We are in the position that it should go mainly into infrastructure, paying down the debt and discussion about the Heritage Fund as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We don’t have that level of detail in terms of community consumption of alcohol, but we can commit to get that information for committee. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Chair. These mitigate the impacts of the rate shock.

We have a common goal here. We are investing significantly and are going to continue to invest, not only money but planning and policy development in things like biomass and solar. We’re going to be coming forward with a very ambitious hydro project that’s going to allow us to link the grids and have reasonable-cost power available for economic development as well as provide power into some communities that are currently on diesel. We are going to, as well, work with Inuvik and other thermal communities on the Liquid Natural Gas Initiative. We are very committed to that.

We also want to push on...

That’s correct.