Paul Delorey

Again, we can look at that. Our main concern is to have some stability in the roadway out there and address the parking problem that we have, probably through adding some extra parking to the lot. That’s certainly one thing we could look at — whether just widening the base out there would help us out with parking when there is a major event here. So we will look at that.

It was money we were going to use from within anyway, and that money has lapsed. We do have a fund of $75,000 that we use for minor repairs out front just to try to keep up with the situation of our roadway and parking lot. Quite obviously, we’re going to have to get approval for a bigger expenditure if we want to do it half-decently out there.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is an issue we have been dealing with for some time now: trying to reduce the energy costs for the Assembly and keeping in mind, as well, the environment.

We have introduced some initiatives here to cut down on costs, such as lighting. Specifically to the fuel, there has been a proposal put forward for pellet heat for the building. We are looking into some of the costs involved in that, and not only that but location for the ability to put in a hopper that would serve that type of system. It’s actively being looked at to try and come up with some costs and to find...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, these are details on the finances of staffing and the director’s position. I would ask Olin Lovely to walk you through the detail on those.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The gain on investments is related to the investment portfolio in the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund. It’s calculated as the difference between the value of assets of the fund on March 31, 2006, and at March 31, 2007. It’s totally due to investment performance.

Mr. Chairman, I don’t know if there’s a way of making somebody commit when they’re looking at a four-year appointment. They show an interest in a position, and we appoint them for four years. I don’t know if we can make sure they’re going to be here for the four-year period. Sometimes if they make a move out of the Territories temporarily or for a short period of time, that’s grounds to revoke their appointment. Commissioners are statutory officers when appointed and become arm’s length from government, and we have found no reason to revoke her appointment. Also, the one we’re talking about...

Yes, I would, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This was basically an information item only. It doesn’t affect the bottom line or the figures, so…. We can correct the page in the book if the Member wants a new page, but it doesn’t affect the amounts we’re talking about in appropriations.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to report that no reductions will be made to our popular and well-attended Youth Parliament. This year’s Youth Parliament focused on language-preservation issues, and as always, our youth did us proud in this Chamber. We will be rebroadcasting their proceedings throughout the summer.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to report that I will continue to travel to at least one small community a year with our Mace to allow youth and residents who do not normally get to visit the capital to get a sense of the work we do in this Chamber.

Last year, Mr. Chair, the Commissioner and I, the...

Mr. Chairman, that was actually a recommendation, as well, that was made by the Chief Electoral Officer, to look into that. We can expect some feedback on what her findings are there.