Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke about the importance of building a knowledge economy in the North and the idea of transforming Aurora College into a polytechnic. I know that the Minister is engaged in a strategic review process working with the Aurora College leadership. I am interested to know when honourable Members, here in this House, will be able to see that strategic plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This motion makes specific reference to working with the Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency. We know that the Minister is currently engaged in the Open Government Plan, the Comprehensive Review to ATIPP, but I haven't heard if this work towards the public accounts has been included on that list of projects. I'm wondering if the honourable Member for Thebacha could respond to that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, honourable Members. Cabinet's open houses have also given citizens the opportunity to speak directly on issues that matter to them and should matter to this government. Most importantly, we have put into place a mid-term review that will demonstrate our commitment to the principles of open government and accountability to which we all strive.

Though it won't be easy, and I'm sure there will be bumps along the way, we must continue to endeavour down the path of open government. Most Members of this House are not veteran politicians, and were elected on a change...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommends that the Minister of Finance provide the Standing Committee on Government Operations with the interim public accounts by August 31st, in time for standing committee review of the government's business plans. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On November 1, 2016, the Standing Committee on Government Operations presented its Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts. The Standing Committee on Government Operations made eight recommendations, including recommendations regarding the provision of information as well as the development of plain language materials. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories advise the House of its timeline for the completion and introduction of a bill to modernize and update the Human Rights Act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is nice to know that we do have a ballpark figure for this. I appreciate that there are many needs across the territory. At the same time, if we are going to invest in post-secondary education, we need the right facilities to do it. A new campus facility could be a strategic investment to support local economies in our capital. It can create jobs. It can create new opportunities and allow students to stay within the North to achieve their educational aspirations. Again, can the Minister start working on a feasibility for this and reaching out to partners in the...

Mr. Speaker, apart from the strategic plan that will come out of Aurora College, that facility needs serious work and is inadequate for many of the needs that the other two campuses in Fort Smith and Inuvik enjoy. I spoke to science and research development opportunities. This is simply not there. I am not asking the Minister to pay for it. I am asking the Minister to begin the planning process for it, not to commit to spending on it, but to commit to starting to do the work on it. Sometimes it can take five, 10 years to move these projects along. If we start work on it now, we can be better...

Mr. Speaker, perhaps my memory is a bit foggy, but if it was included in the business plan it certainly was an oversight when we developed the mandate but it is an issue that is important to Northerners so I'm pleased to see that we have some willingness here; however, previously in this Assembly we were told that it was not in the cards. So can the Premier explain that? Is this a knee-jerk reaction to some questions that were raised in this House or is this a long-standing initiative that we've just simply never been told about?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, honourable Members raised the issue of 911 previously in this session and were told that the department is not in a fiscal position to provide this, more research would be done, and the Minister has committed to working with standing committee on developing some options. However, the honourable Member for Frame Lake just asked the Premier some questions and we heard that they are now working on legislation for 911. Can the Premier please clarify whether or not 911 is coming to the Northwest Territories? Thank you.