Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When we discussed business plans, we had a fairly involved discussion with the Minister and his staff with regards to recruitment and retention strategies for particularly lawyers and I think legal aid lawyers was kind of where we focussed our remark. At the time, I believe the Minister said they were going to look at some of the programs which operate in other departments within the GNWT and also I think some other programs that operate elsewhere in other jurisdictions in Canada. So I’m just wondering whether or not the Minister and the department have had a chance to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Minister, we have to agree to disagree, which I do often with Ministers it seems. But in terms of what’s out there, I took this recently from the website. It’s a dialogue with the public that talks about grandfathering, talks about copayments, talks about catastrophic drugs, residence requirements, third-party coverage. That is what the department is looking for feedback on. To me that sounds like a bit of a draft plan, albeit it’s not hard and fast, but it sounds like a plan to me. I’d like to ask the Minister again, how were the working group and other...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I note on this page that there’s a fairly large drop in revenue under exchange of services, down almost $1.1 million. I wonder if I can get an explanation on why. Thank you.

To the Minister’s answer, I understand that process. I know that the working group was established. I know there were a couple of meetings, at which I understand there was very little substance, very little discussion about possibilities and so on. So I am concerned when the Minister says they asked for further information. That’s probably true, but when did the department ask the stakeholder group or the working group for their opinion? I am very concerned that I don’t think there was an opportunity for wide-ranging, creative thinking outside the department input to the department from this...

I didn’t understand that all, but that’s okay. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I just want to thank the Minister for that explanation. I have no further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Members will know by now, this is Education Week. Today I also want to recognize and salute educators.

---Applause

NWT educators come in many forms. Most are in our formal education system -- kindergarten to grade 12 and college programs -- but there are many who are not. NWT educators include daycare and child care staff, non-government organizations’ educators, English as a second language teachers, playschool and preschool teachers, elders, coaches and parents. We have a huge number of informal educators who work with NWT residents of all ages to promote and enhance...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. A question here. The funding that goes to the Y for the Protection Against Family Violence Act, is that $105,000 used totally by the Y or is it shared with other non-government organizations? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question here, as well, on the laboratory information system replacement. I mentioned in my opening remarks that I questioned that this is a project that is urgent. Could I get a timeline for this project? I know that these funds, there are some funds being asked for in this supplementary appropriation, there are some funds which are being suggested for next year’s capital budget and, I believe, the year after, but I wonder if I could get an explanation of the timeline for the project, when it’s intended to start, what the urgency is to get started, you know...

Thanks to the Minister. I appreciate you’re making progress. Could I have a little more definitive answer as to what kind of progress, is it anywhere near completion or fruition or decision time? When might we see this particular initiative actually on the ground? Thank you.