Wendy Bisaro

I would just like to follow up. I appreciate that this is something we have to do in conjunction with the federal government, that we do need their funding but I guess I would suggest that there ought to be a target date for various communities that don’t currently have RCMP and we may not meet those targets, they may have to be amended but my personal view would be that we should have the communities listed and a target date for RCMP within those communities and that is what we are aiming for, so I would encourage the Minister to do that. Thank you. That’s all.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I did have a question here. I just have to find it. Sorry; I can’t find my question, that’s okay.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I mentioned in my general remarks that I was looking for some information that the schedule the department has to increase RCMP in the communities with, currently don’t have a police presence. I think some of it goes to special constables or community constables. So if the Minister could cover both of those areas in his response, that would be helpful. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, or YACCS. YACCS was formed in 1983 by a group of Yellowknife citizens concerned about issues facing YK seniors and it’s governed by a volunteer board.

From its inception, YACCS has worked continuously to achieve its mission and that mission is building a supportive community for the health of seniors. YACCS first accomplishment was to plan for and build a long-term care facility. Aven Manor, which opened in 1987, is a 29-bed facility for NWT seniors who require...

Thanks to the Minister. That’s all I have.

Thanks to the Minister, I think. That wasn’t totally clear, but I’ll follow up when the briefing comes down.

I wanted to ask a question with regard to support for Avalon, the company Avalon and the potential for establishing a secondary industry for processing within the NWT for Avalon Rare Earth Metals. I know that the company has been speaking with the government. I believe they have been speaking with ITI. I just want to know from the Minister whether or not the conversations the government is having with the company are going to...if we are entertaining all options and if we are...

As usual, I need to be a little more specific with my dates to get it into my head. The Minister mentions a date, but whether that is in 2010 or 2011, I would like a little bit more specific information of when that date might be, please. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on Thursday, February 18, 2010, it shall be adjourned until Monday, February 22, 2010;

AND FURTHER, that any time prior to February 22, 2010, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I should look at you when I lift my hand so you know I’m looking at you.

Thanks for that explanation. I’m very glad to hear that. It sounds as though we are being very positive about wanting to keep this industry here. Judging by the information that I’ve been given, this is a long-term mining project and one that’s going to benefit our Territory, particularly the South Slave for a long time to come. So I think we need to do as much as we can to encourage this industry to locate themselves within the NWT as opposed to outside.

The last time we got information from Avalon there was a bit of a suggestion that they haven’t really had a lot of meetings with either the...