Michael Miltenberger

We have, as a government, been looking at every avenue to try to come to a satisfactory resolution, a compromise that would address both the court order and in some cases look at the surplus in school space that is an issue in some communities, but at the end of the day this issue will be resolved.

There would be a request coming forward to the FMB through either Justice or Education, or in this case maybe Public Works. If it’s a capital requirement to meet those obligations then we’d be making those decisions based on those recommendations.

It’s difficult to just say yes or no to an extensive array of questions the Member just presented. What I will say is this with regard to his last question, if there is an interest from committee, we’re going to be starting the business planning cycle for the next budget year, ’15-16, and if it is the wish of committee, we would be willing to fully discuss and review whatever policies any committee wants to during that process. Thank you.

In fact, there were changes in the last government, I believe. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would point out that if it was in the base or if it’s here as an over-expenditure in our supplementary reserve, we would still be paying the costs that have been incurred for these programs and services, and we come back on a regular basis. This is my 19th budget, and the Health and Social Services big ticket items that we constantly come back for are hospital care services and for children and adults, usually in southern facilities. In addition to the supplementary reserve, which is going to go into the base in those areas, we also have forced growth that we try to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The way I read the amendment to the amendment, would basically allow those larger communities that have the trained people to have junior kindergarten right away, and those communities that don’t have the benefit of meeting the terms of this motion would get delayed or postponed until, in fact, they have those trained people there. The way I am understanding this would disadvantage, once again, the very communities that we’re targeting to start first, which would be the small communities. So, to me it is very problematic and we wouldn’t support the amendment to the...

No, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 6-17(5), Strengthening Municipal Enforcement of Liquor Laws.” Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will accept the Member has the right to make his comments. I would take exception to the characterization of shoddy and irresponsible. We take this work very seriously. This is a $1.6 billion operation. It’s very complex. There are many variables we can’t control. There are many demand-driven services. I have and this Assembly has full confidence in the Department of Finance and the budget because we just approved it in the Committee of the Whole yesterday, I think, with the exception of one vote against, everybody else supported it. So we will have the discussion. Yes...