Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A little over two years and I’m still trying to give the Member an answer that she likes, depending on the circumstance. The Member is very well aware we have a capital planning process. It’s intensely participated in. There’s huge interest given now coming forward that after the two years of stimulus money, that the capital plan is not going to be as big as it has been over the last two years. So the challenge for us as a Legislature is to look at the priorities on that list and if we want to replace something, what is that? If we are going to collectively decide we...

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Work was done looking at that. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, everything we do that takes us from where we are to greater reductions is a step forward. It may not be as great as some people would like, but we have made significant strides. I’ll point again to the $60 million we’re committing to alternative energy. We did a presentation where the Public Works folks laid out a long list of government facilities across the land that are going to be converted to biomass, with the thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas reductions. We’ve committed, as well, and I have done it now with the last two questions, that we’re going to be looking at...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would argue that as a government and as a Legislature we are leading by example with the $60 million Alternative Energy Program that we’ve committed to, with the work with biomass and hydro and wind. And we, as well, through our Joint Climate Change Committee, already agreed and will be bringing back the current Greenhouse Gas Strategy for review in anticipation of looking at the next iteration of that document with an eye towards internal targets, as well as we’re going to double-check the legal authority we do have for any kind of decisions that could possibly be...

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories takes its obligation to account for its decisions and actions seriously. We recognize the people of the Northwest Territories have the right to know what their government is doing for them and how it is expending public funds. There are many different ways in which the GNWT can account for its actions, ranging from exchanges between Minister and Regular Members here on the floor of this House to the routine publication of information and reports about government’s activities.

Recently the departments of Finance and Executive have...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2009-2010, be read for the third time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2009-2010, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2009-2010, be read for the first time. Thank you.

There are two fundamental approaches. There’s one where cell phone provision is seen as a business opportunity where the private sector will go in because there’s money to be made. The other approach, similar to the Yukon one, is where the government agrees they’re going to come up with a significant amount of money, because they want to have cell phone service across their whole jurisdiction similar to the Yukon which, I might point out, has far less geographic challenges than the Northwest Territories does in terms of distances to cover. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Members have copies of the five-year capital plan and going forward. Cell phone service is not on the list that I am aware of. What was once a luxury is now considered an essential service, but it’s not there.

I will also point out that we have also been told at different tables, look after your costs, control your growth, don’t grow government and don’t go too much into debt in this Legislature. Now we are told 911, cell phone service, we want more houses, roads and bridges and all good things, recognizing that there is a limited amount of resources and a far...