Wendy Bisaro

I thank the Minister for the answer, but I am afraid I would have to agree to disagree with him, unfortunately, again. It seems to me that there was no analysis or research. The Tlicho Services Board model was looked at. It was determined that it was the best one. There was no other option presented for Regular Members and for the public to look at. So again I want to ask the Minister, other than looking at ideas which were presented perhaps by other members on the Refocusing Government committee and the Tlicho Services model, what research was done to determine that this model should be the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I risk leaving somebody out because I certainly can’t see the people who are assembled up behind me, but there are some constituents I would like to recognize: Mr. Duff Spence, who is a constituent and also the chairperson of Yellowknife Education District No. 1; Gladys and Albert Eggenberger, who are constituents of Frame Lake and long-time residents of Yellowknife. Welcome to the House. I’d like to mention, as well, Mary Vane, who is the chair of Yellowknife Catholic Schools, who is here; Mel Pardy, the assistant superintendent of Yellowknife Education District No. 1...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In October of 2008, my Member’s statement said that I believe that some consolidation of some NWT boards is necessary and I still believe that. Mr. Speaker, I also said that the Tlicho Services Board model is not the best option for board reform in the NWT and I encouraged the government to consider other options. I quote from the Hansard record of October 9, 2008, when I said, “There are many other combinations and hybrids of our current system open to us if we get creative. No option should be dismissed outright.”

I also said that the consolidation of boards in...

That’s, unfortunately, the answer that I was expecting. Our communities need assistance now. We need a program that can be put in place sooner rather than later. I feel that yes, I’m appreciative we’re going to be consulted on this particular program of a power subsidy, if that’s what it is, but that’s going to take months. Literally months. Probably a year at least before it’s in place. A milk subsidy is a targeted program and it is one that I think can actually be put in place within a matter of a short few months and probably could be in place for the first of April at the beginning of...

I have a couple of questions for the Minister of Finance. As part of the budget yesterday...I’ll back up. Some months ago this Assembly passed a motion from Regular Members which stated that a milk subsidy should be incorporated into the activities of this government. It’s well known that milk is an extremely healthful food and an excellent part of a preventative diet for children in particular.

I’d like to ask the Minister of Finance, since there was no mention of the milk subsidy in the budget address yesterday, whether or not a milk subsidy for children from zero to age 12, for instance...

At the outset I have to say that I’m dismayed that this motion has come to the floor. But it’s nothing that I take lightly. It was a long time in coming and I think I want everybody to know that this is not something which was a spur of the moment decision on anybody’s part. I had hopes that we as the 16th Assembly could have found a different or better solution, but there is none to be had.

I feel that I am driven to this step for a number of reasons, and these are my own personal reasons, my own views, my own opinions, my own feelings. Primary among these reasons is a loss in confidence in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I need to ask the Minister what this government is going to have in place as of April 1st, 2009, that is going to be of benefit to the people in our communities to reduce their food costs.

I appreciate the answer. It doesn’t really go to the point of the motion passed by the Members on this side of the House. I believe that the government is trying to reduce the cost of living, but I think that one of the ways that it’s going to be done is to try to provide commercial power subsidy and that is intended to reduce the cost of living for goods and services. I guess I would need to ask the Minister or the Premier when we can expect to see this kind of reduction in the cost of living in concrete actual programs, when it’s going to be on the ground and in effect such that it’s going...

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Mr. James Boylan, who I can’t see up behind me but I know he’s there. If there are any other constituents of Frame Lake, welcome to the Assembly. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to state that the comments from Mr. Abernethy have pretty much covered everything. He has done an excellent job in summarizing comments we have heard from any number of constituents, residents of the Territory, seniors, those who are non-seniors but who also are affected by the change in this program.

At the outset, I want to say that I am in favour of this motion wholeheartedly. As stated in my Member’s statement the other day, I feel that this is poorly thought out, poorly presented and based on a poor policy and this program should not go into effect.

The...