Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under Program Delivery Details on page 1-28, the Human Rights Commission has two fairly large amounts compared to the other statutory officer positions: $335,000 and then grants and contributions of $425,000. I’m just wondering why there are two different amounts there and why they are so large.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The compensation and benefits amount from ’07–08 to ’08–09 has increased significantly, and I was just wondering why.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last several weeks as we’ve discussed the budget, there have been many references and discussions about this Assembly’s priorities and youth being high on our list.

It’s a well-known fact there are positive effects from being physically active for anyone, no matter what their age. It’s also well known that involvement in sports and recreation activities can have a profound effect on a young person and that they benefit mentally, psychologically, physically and economically. Youth who are physically active are far healthier than those who are not. They generally...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the same questions with regard to numbers of positions as I did in the previous section. I gather we’re eliminating a vacant position, but the numbers don’t change from last year to this year.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a question. The Speaker indicated we are eliminating two positions, and I believe one of them is a vacant library tech position. But there’s no change in the number of positions from ’07–08 to ’08–09. So if I could have an explanation, please.

I appreciate the Minister’s answer. I would hope we could get to a point where we’re not using paper at all. I don’t see any need for it. Maybe a few copies, as the Minister said, but I think we need to totally limit what we’re putting out there.

I’d like to know from the Minister when we might expect to see some sort of plan, suggestions or ideas that might be coming forward in relation to this problem.

Mr. Speaker, I can’t see whether or not my constituent is still there, but Barb Wyness, a representative with UNW and a constituent of Frame Lake, is in the gallery, I believe. I, too, would like to recognize one of the pages. Harper Sateana-Barr is working with us this week and doing a fine job.

I’d like to tell the Minister that I certainly understand that not all of our communities have the opportunities and access to technology that some of the larger centres do, but I feel very strongly that we have the technology and we should be using it. I’m glad that the Minister suggests that staff can act on their own by hearing this particular discussion.

This isn’t a question. Well, maybe it is a question. I’d like to ask the Minister how, for the second day in a row, a Cabinet Minister was able to anticipate my next question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask some questions to the Minister of Finance in reference to my Member’s statement.

He should have received the e-mail that I referenced in my statement. I’d like to thank the sender of the e-mail for taking the time and the initiative to act and to forward a suggestion to us. I hope that the Minister has read the e-mail. I’d like to ask whether or not he agrees with the sentiments expressed in that e-mail — that we are wasting money, that this is a cost-saving opportunity, and if he is intending to act on this particular suggestion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this is Environment Week, I thought I would comment on an affront to Mother Nature, our environment and our pocketbooks perpetrated by our government every day. I had a perfect example of this yesterday. In my mailbox appeared a lovely 16page, full-colour, glossy report. The accompanying three-line letter told me the report was attached and that it was available on-line and provided the Internet URL.

The letter was a waste of paper, except that I will reuse the back side. The info in the letter could have been sent in an e-mail. The report was lovely to look at but...