Wendy Bisaro

I thank the Minister for his remarks. I can’t argue with the Minister’s statement that we have communities that are lacking such things as basic cell phone service. However, the report recommends that the seven communities -- and I’ll mention them: Behchoko, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, Norman Wells, and Yellowknife -- that those seven communities should start the implementation of 911 and then we move on to other communities later on. Those seven communities comprise some 77 percent of our population. That’s more than three-quarters of our NWT population. They will be targeted...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure today to recognize a constituent of Frame Lake, Ms. Barb Wyness, who is up behind me in the gallery representing the UNW, I believe. If there are any other constituents of mine up there who I can’t see, welcome to the Leg.

Mr. Speaker, I have often spoken before about the need for 911 phone service in Yellowknife and the rest of the NWT. Members are likely aware that the City of Yellowknife this week received the results of a feasibility study for the implementation of 911 in the city and throughout our Territory. As an aside, it is important to note that the GNWT was a fully participating member of the study’s management committee. Not surprisingly, the recommendation from this report is that 911 service should be established in seven of our 33 communities to start and that it be expanded to the other 26...

I appreciate where the Minister is coming from. I realize that there is a budget process that has to be gone through. I am hoping that we will get some certainty on funding to at least start 911. It’s been said many times: Presumably our government is all about partnerships. Even today our Premier has stated a strong and independent North is going to have to be built on partnerships. So I’d like to know whether or not MACA is willing to consider a partnership with the City of Yellowknife to start the much needed implementation of 911 service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and, as I mentioned in my statement, the Government of the Northwest Territories was a full participating member on the City of Yellowknife’s 911 Management Committee. Given our government’s participation on that management committee, I would like to ask the Minister to articulate the government’s position regarding the need and urgency for 911 service in the NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, March 12, 2009, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on March 12, 2009, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, May 27, 2009.

And further, that any time prior to May 27, 2009, 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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the answer from the Minister that they’re looking at this. I guess it goes to the question which I think Mr. Hawkins asked, but I didn’t really hear an answer. If the Minister is looking at alternative models, when might we be able to see some sort of proposal? If they’ve been working on these models since 13 months ago, is it going to take another 13 months before we get a proposal?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up as well on Mr. Bromley’s questions and some of the questions asked by Mr. Hawkins relative to funding for daycares in the NWT. I’ll go back. I spoke to this issue at least a year ago, I think. At that time, the Minister indicated that there was some possibility to look at different possibilities of funding for daycares. I’d like to ask the Minister now, and I apologize if it’s already been answered, but what is the basis for the funding that daycares currently get? He mentioned that they’re funded for O and M, that they’re funded for staffing, et...

Thanks to the Minister. I totally agree that if any employee is involved in an activity that could put them in a conflict or could leave them in a situation where they have access to confidential information, that should not be shared publicly. So I fully agree with the policies that are there, but is the Minister aware -- if he doesn’t know of a practice or procedure -- of instructions that are given to managers, deputy ministers, directors, or senior managers to find out from their employees what activities they are involved in?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my statement, I talked about a number of policies. I have some questions in regards to the comments in my statement for the Minister of Human Resources. My first question would be to know what policies exist that apply to employees within the GNWT public service. Thank you.