Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be supporting this motion. I think it is a good step, and I think it is a recognition that we still have to work a little harder to sharpen our pencils. As it has been said, I don’t really think that this burden is necessarily fair to be taken solely on the 15th Assembly’s shoulders, but unfortunately we have to make corrective actions. The Minister has quite clearly said that if we don’t take some steps we are going to be penalized by Canada. I think it is a good saw if we are taking corrective steps, and I think we need to go back to the drawing board and...

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.

(microphone turned off)

Excellent. I’m just finding that substantial. Unless we had a lot of travel this month, that was a lot of travel, $413,000 this year alone up to the end of February 2004, if I understood it. Did he have an expectation of spending another approximately $200,000 worth of travel? Can the Minister show me or demonstrate how we had a 25 percent reduction in travel in this department? My apologies, I did not see it. As well, can you reiterate your three-year travel average?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Again on this same issue with regard to that position, if I could just get some further clarification I probably would be very satisfied to move on to another issue. I'm just curious on the training of this position. Is it quite unique that this person requires very specialized training, that you can only receive this training in Yellowknife even though the function of this position is to be to fully operate in the Fort Simpson area? I'm a little confused on that one. As well as the fact that maybe for my clarity, as well as Mr. Menicoche's clarity, is it a unique...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wasn't really concerned about the actual name of the individual, more so under which line item I would find it under, if the Minister could point that out.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just so I didn’t forget to ask, I would also like the comparison of travel dollars for next year as well. Just before I leave this point, I wouldn’t want to forget, how many chief negotiators do we send? How many assistant negotiators would we send typically and how many legal counsel, et cetera, working through the system? You gave me five titles and I’m curious, on an average basis would we send one for each position or two or three, on an average? Thank you.