Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m not going to say a lot on this one. I think a lot has been spoken in support of what we are trying to achieve through this motion. I think it’s very clear from the debates this evening and early afternoon that there is strong support on this side of the floor to see that this very important program continues, and we would urge the government with this motion to find in their hearts and their passion and their commitment to find $1.2 million, please. I would ask for support for this motion from the Members. Thank you very much.

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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am looking for a breakdown there too, please. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a written question to the Honourable Brendan Bell, Minister responsible for WCB.

Please provide the following for the years 2002-2003 and 2003-2004, at the earliest opportunity:

WCB revenues, specifically the categories of assessments, average assessment rates, and investment revenues.

WCB expenses, specifically the categories of total number of claims, number of accepted claims, cost of claims, and administration with a separate categorization of salary included in the administration budget.

WCB profit and loss statements for the same period.

T...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand that those boards who were charging these fees have decided that they would not charge those fees to anyone at all, not just those who have been defined to be exempt. Does the Minister have any indication as to what the dollar figures were that school boards who were charging them were raising under this fee?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a last follow-up on that item. Could I get the details for contract services for $631,000? I believe what he just said has to do with the computer services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure we’ll have more chance to debate on that one. I do understand that we need to be prudent and we don’t want to spend every penny that comes our way, but I think it is something that we need to talk more about.

Mr. Speaker, my next question has to do with the announcement of $400 million for immunization programs by the federal government. We in the NWT just did an immunization of youth and I believe we approved a supplementary budget or special warrant in the amount of about $800,000. Can I just ask the Minister what sort of impact this new money, I think it’s...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one small question under this area, and then two motions that I’d like to move. My question, Mr. Chairman, has to do with the waiving of…We’re still on page 9-17, right?

Thank you very much. Then under this section on this page, could I get the Minister to give us figures on other categories, materials and services, contract services, purchased services I believe, and fees and payments if there are any, and computer software and hardware? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Finance and it’s with regard to his statement this afternoon about the federal budget. Mr. Speaker, from the information that we have been provided with, it is my understanding that our government will be receiving $7.5 million next year extra, but there’s more in the next five years that amounts to about $74.4 million. On top of that, we’re getting a one-time break of $50 million, which by my calculations is about $124 million. Could the Minister advise as to whether or not this is new money? I understand, at least not the $50...

I am not going to try to do the Minister’s job, but could it be just forced growth from salary increases that are part of the collective bargaining and not as a result of overall growth in student numbers? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.