Robert Bouchard

My only concern is in this supp we have over $400,000 that we’re going to be putting into Stanton Hospital, which I’m assuming most of that work will probably be torn down eventually in the next 10 years depending on where we retrofit and what we retrofit. I’m just concerned that we’re spending money that we’re just going to tear down eventually here. If we can come up with a strategy and maybe something to go forward as far as we’re not going to invest money that we’re going to just tear down I guess is my concern.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, capital investment expenditures, forest management, not previously authorized, $651,000; wildlife, not previously authorized, $193,000. Total department, not previously authorized, $844,000.

Agreed. Department of Transportation, capital infrastructure expenditures, airports, not previously authorized $2.567 million; highways, not previously authorized, $10,648 million; marine, not previously authorized, $619,000; road licensing and safety, not previously authorized, $138,000. Total department, not previously authorized, $13.972 million. Ms. Bisaro.

My next question is about the Stanton Territorial Hospital plan study. I guess in coalition with the other expenditures is the Stanton Hospital. I’m just wondering what the plan is going forward. We’re looking to do major upgrades to Stanton Hospital. What is the strategy going forward on upgrades to the facility in an area where we may actually be tearing down and replacing? I know these are not huge numbers we’re spending on seclusion rooms and stuff like that, but I’m just wondering, I guess, the strategy going forward and how much money do we put into it that we’re basically maybe tearing...

The motion is carried.

---Carried

We will sit beyond 6 o’clock and continue with the Department of Transportation. Total department, not previously authorized, $13.972 million.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Aumond.

I’m just wondering: it would be nice for the government to set a goal to decrease this number as much as possible because the money out in the community, out in the territory, we’re talking about large sums of money, multi-millions of dollars going out in the regions and in the territory would have an economic spin. So for those people that there’s a lot of concern that the economy is slowing down and the fact that we would like to see more of that money out and spending itself in the economy, it would be nice to see the departments set a goal, especially the big project departments such as...

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister Abernethy.

The Premier indicated that they are doing a survey of the website. I wonder if there is going to be any consultation, like any public meetings. I know the assemblies are coming forward in the summertime.

Are we planning to have some meetings in the different communities throughout the Northwest Territories to get public feedback that way?