Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Premier, for that answer. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to now proceed not far down that page and read under number two called principles. Item number one under principles says to provide existing northern businesses with a level of incentive that compensates for the higher costs of operating businesses in the Northwest Territories, this business incentive will allow for northern businesses to compete successfully with southern businesses. I think that’s been the crux of all our concern here. Can the Premier answer how this statement is being realized? Thank you...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I could just pick up a little further again on this travel question. When the Minister provides us with that spreadsheet on travel, if he could break out the size of average entourages that travel, give us an example of how much the cost of that is. What I mean by that is how many days they travel and typically how many people travel together. Can the Minister supply that information?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I can appreciate the generosity of Public Works not having a chargeback function, but I find it strange that other departments don’t have to account for that in any way. Is there any reason why we don’t have a chargeback function, citing my example earlier if Aurora College wanted a new facility or project done? Is the Minister able to enlighten us either if he happens to be wearing his FMBS cap at this moment along with his Public Works cap? I am searching for a little information on why we don’t do that, if the Minister can enlighten me on that. Thank you, Madam...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I didn't quite get the answer to my first one, and it could have been how I phrased it. If the Minister could finish with letting me know how these positions were staffed, the $100,000 devolution negotiator position, and the $50,000 research advice position. How were they staffed or how were they negotiated? Did they do research on their own, or did they put out a public tendering process? Lastly, on this particular question, why did we research and negotiate with individual companies on the $95,000 advice section, rather than calling a public tender? Thank you...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could the Minister supply us with a hard copy of those budget figures?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just notice a sentence here on page 2 of 5 just ahead of Mr. Pokiak’s concern. It mentions the management and construction of new facilities, management of the design. Is that for communities in particular, or is that a chargeback function that we provide for smaller communities? How does that work? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Did the Minister say we've done a negotiated contract for one more year? Has it not gone out to tender so they will fall under the breadth of a two-year program?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, could the Minister supply us with a written copy of the travel budget for the last three years, as well as a breakout as he’s indicated earlier to give us an idea of teams that travel in that regard? I’m not in a position of authority to question the Minister on the size of teams, but it has been articulated loudly in the communities that more than one lawyer travels, et cetera. The teams are quite large. There’s a significant entourage that travels with this group. I’m concerned on the budget growing and we’re not scrutinizing at least the travel. Thank...

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Minister, for clarifying that. I just wanted to make sure we were on the turning the wrench side, rather than the diagnostic side or the health side. On the last note -- and it could be my last question depending on the outcome -- presently does Public Works and Services run any water facilities, water treatment plants in the Northwest Territories, or at this time are they all in the hands of the communities? Could the Minister expand if that is not the case? Thank you.

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