Wendy Bisaro

Thanks to the Minister for that information. I look forward to our briefing. I guess I just would like a bit of confirmation in terms of timing. I get the impression...(inaudible)...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a question relative to the numbers on page 8-21. From 2009-10 revised estimates we’ve got $185 million give or take and in 2010-11 we go to about $180 million. So that’s a fairly large reduction. If I look on the next page it looks as though the reductions are basically to authorities for the provision of their various services and I just wondered what kind of an impact these reductions are going to have on the ability of the authorities to provide their services and, secondly, is this reduction related to the lack of renewal of THAF funding, which isn’t shown...

Mr. Chairman, to the Minister, I understand that the one contract, the current contract, is basically finalized. I know a long time is what she has mentioned, but I am talking about the things that are not being captured now. How long do we think it is going to take to get some sort of agreement in place so that we can capture those things? I appreciate that it is a long process, but what does “a long time” mean? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 4, 2010, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on February 4, 2010, it shall be adjourned until Monday, February 8, 2010; and further, that any time prior to February 8, 2010, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and the 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...

I accept the Minister’s response, but again, that plan, the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee does not look beyond the Government of the Northwest Territories. If we’re going to have anything that is going to get us to a good place, we need to involve all the residents of the Territories, not just this government and its employees. Again, there is no one body which is looking at all of the things that we do in terms of energy and putting it under one roof. The Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, for instance, I don’t believe is involved in an education campaign to try and get...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are addressed to the Finance Minister and the lead Minister for the Refocusing Government committee. I’d like to ask the Minister, in the preparation of the 2010-11 budget by the Minister, what consideration was given to the coordination of energy projects and initiatives to coordinate them into one area or one body, and was that reflected in the budget. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a question here relative to a new committee that was established recently, the Territorial Admissions Committee. It’s a recent committee and I wondered two things relative to it. The information states that it’s for application admission to NWT long-term care facilities. I wondered, first of all, if the Minister could advise what sorts of facilities are included in the long-term care facilities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thanks to the deputy minister for that information. That’s very challenging. The whole issue is challenging, but it’s good to hear that there’s lots of work happening.

My other question has to do with the legislation and when we went through the business plans, the proposed schedule for legislation the department is considering doing in the next fiscal year is quite ambitious. I was impressed with the number of bills which presumably want to be amended and/or new bills coming forward. My question, I guess, is whether or not the department thinks they are going to be...

Thank you Mr. Chairman. Just a quick comment and that is unfortunately the answer that I expected to hear. I guess my only hope would be that if we are ever renegotiating the agreement or renewing the agreement, particularly with Nunavut, I would think if there is any opportunity to try and recoup funds that could go towards the capital costs that we have to bear, then that would be a good thing. Just a comment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.