Michael Miltenberger

As we continue to evolve as a government on the program delivery side and mature as a jurisdiction, clearly, standards become more and more pressing in a number of program areas, including the ones mentioned by the Member. That will be pursued as you move forward. There’s a new strategic plan coming out of Health and Social Services, and as the 17th Assembly is set up, elected, and picks their government, those items I’m sure will be on their list of to do things. Thanks.

I was under the assumption you never asked a question you didn’t know the answer to. I’m trying to fill the Member in on issues that I know she’s asked questions about, she’s very conversant on.

In regard to the idea of a secretariat and the issue of homelessness, that will be, I believe, contained in the broader transition document within the seven days left that we have as sitting days and to the 4th when we are dissolved. There are no plans to move on any kind of setting up of any kind of secretariat. Thank you.

Yes, we will be leaving the detailed fiscal update. We’ll be leaving details in all the program areas. We have to keep in mind, as well, as we look around the world, that we’re now once again into very shaky, uncertain economic times with growth projections in some cases on the negative side. There’s still trouble in the United States. There’s trouble in Europe. We are not immune to those, so as we look at our own business, we have things we can look at. Some of the things we have to keep a very close eye on, of course, is the revenue side, where we have lots of multi-nationals that do...

In my statement I indicated that we have needs of over about $2.7 billion over the next few years, or about $530 million a year of identified needs. We have, starting next year, $75 million a year in the capital plan. So we have some very hard choices to make. There’s going to be a need to make those choices and it’s going to take more time at $75 million a year. In fact, as I indicated, we will probably never catch up at that rate, which is why one of the challenges for the 17th Assembly is going to be how we can possibly supplement that capital plan money.

I’m sure that will be part of the transition document and planning. I can indicate that the opportunity will be there. I can’t at this point commit the next Minister, whoever that may be, to that, but the Member knows that if a request for briefing is made, the government will comply.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

I indicated to the Member that as far as I was aware, our department is part of the operation that oversees the Giant Mine. We have $27 million booked as our share and we have people at the right tables. We are, once again as far as I’m aware, from what I’m seeing, we’re engaged in those processes. If the Member is wanting to advocate for an alternative structure, I’d be happy to look at that.

Mr. Speaker, further to Written Return 7-16(6) I wish to table the following document entitled “All Program Operations and Maintenance Budgets for Tourism and Parks 2011-2012.”

Mr. Speaker, as this is the last session of the 16th Legislative Assembly, I would like to take this opportunity to update Members and NWT residents on our fiscal and economic outlook, and to describe the difficult decisions that will be facing the 17th Legislative Assembly.

Let me first say, our Assembly has a lot to be proud of. We made some tough choices to reduce in some areas to provide funds for the key priorities of this Assembly. By the end of its term, the 16th Legislative Assembly will have invested almost $297 million of new initiatives funding in priority programs to support the...

Earlier in the winter there was over 360 surgeries of backlog, and since July we’ve whittled that number down to 102. I agree with the Member, we want to do this as quickly and expeditiously as possible, to let people get their lives back as quickly as possible. So now that we are back up to doing full surgeries, elective surgeries, I’m confident that list will be whittled down with even more alacrity and expediency. Thank you.