Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The discussions we’ve had with Mr. Pollard in regard to regulatory reform and the work he’s doing and some of our concerns have focused on other areas. Though we have talked about properly funding the processes that are currently there that haven’t been funded, things like cumulative impact. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Right now there is no clear specific requirement in terms of residency for board members or who should sit on the board. We do look at regional representation and we also, as a matter of course, expect that board members and the chairman will be residents of the Northwest Territories. I will commit to discuss the issue with the deputy minister and take a look at those issues. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Floyd Roland will be absent from the House today to attend devolution discussions in Deline.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, I don’t necessarily agree with the Member in terms of the restoring of confidence. There was a very public, long-term process, very expensive and exhaustive, and we will demonstrate that we’ve been listening, when you look at the bill. That’s the comfort that we’re going to provide people. Not everybody will be happy. This is a consultative process. We’re a consensus government. There’s lots of compromise, but this bill, compared to the bill that is currently there -- 32 years old -- is going to be a huge improvement. It’s long overdue. It’s going to reflect...

Thank you. I’ll talk to the department about a concrete response outside of the act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we’re about draft 56, and I have a list here, Mr. Speaker, it’s a request for technical detail. The committee was fully briefed; the Member was fully briefed last week. We gave a good overview of the changes that have been made and there are numerous, and in an attempt to be as responsive as possible and still maintain the integrity of the bill. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it may only be two seats depending on what the final count comes to, but the fact is that we will have some seats at the table and we will look at, as appropriate, bringing other parties, stakeholders, to the table. Thank you.

Thank you. The bill, when it comes forward for first and second reading, will be as complete as possible. It will have been amended numerous times. We’ve fully briefed committee on this. We laid out all the very many changes that have been made based on a lot of the feedback that we have received from groups and individuals from across the North, outside of the North, from business, from industry, from the airlines. So we’re going to bring forward a bill that will be there to be further viewed by committee through a consultation process. We’ll look to advice that comes back from that process...

Mr. Speaker, all the legislation that we do as a government is reviewed by Justice to make sure it complies with the senior laws of the land, like rights and freedoms, Canadian Constitution. This bill was no different and is no different. It has been reviewed thoroughly, and while there are some assertions from some quarters that it does not comply, we are of the opinion, clearly, that it does. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve heard the concern. There are some options that are out there in terms of ex-officio members, observers; as well, the GNWT will have two to three seats available, of which in any given time we can bring stakeholders to the table, depending on the issue being discussed. Thank you.