Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories Interim Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2011.”

Mr. Speaker, the fact that the officials continue to meet to try to find alternatives, there were arrangements made a year or so ago that were not successful, and we have, over the years, written off sums of money as well as deferred payments, reduced payments, any number of things that we could try to think of to allow both interests to have their needs met in terms of the business and the role and responsibility of government and as the administrators of the public purse. So the commitment is that we’re still looking at trying to find a way to do this. I will commit to the Member that when I...

The fibre optic proposal is at the stage where there’s a business case being put together to look at and quantify the business benefits up and down the valley, other than the Inuvik component which is very clearly a business case that has already been made. To put that infrastructure into the communities up and down the valley, that work is being done and we expect that report to be concluded in March of this coming year.

This is a business decision and I can let the Member know that in Fort Smith, for example, it took us years and years of lobbying to convince NorthwesTel to invest, and they brought in an old cell phone tower from somewhere else even though they knew when they asked for a minimum of 250 subscribers. If you went to Fort Smith now, as we told them would happen, they probably have close to 500 or 600 or 700.

Every man, woman and child in the community has a cell phone. This is a business issue. The reason we’re looking at the fibre optic line is because it makes good sense for us as a government...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank two of the Pages that have been working with us this week, and waiting on and responding to our every whim, and passing every note and looking after us: Jenni Watts and Katelynn Holtorf, from Fort Smith. Two fine young ladies that are going to be around for a good long time and have been great ambassadors for the community. I’d like to thank them and their mother Rene Watts.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish the constituents of Thebacha a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, as well to the people...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re willing to look at all opportunities and alternatives as it pertains to dealing with a lot of our issues and our financial situation which, as the Member knows, is somewhat restricted at this point in time. I’d have to hear more in terms of specifics from the Member, but it would be something that I would be more than happy to appear before committee to talk about.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that, on Friday, December 16, 2011, I will move that Bill 1, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2012-2013, be read for the first time. Thank you.

As far as I know, once again, most of the NGOs who are in this business have charitable status and can issue tax receipts for donations that will address some of the issues the Member raises. Once again, if the Member has a number of these alternatives and they may be linked, then I would be making the commitment that I’m more than happy to appear before the committee to talk about those.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “NWT State of the Environment Report Highlights 2011.” Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.