Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for recognizing how important this program is to the people of the North. I respectfully disagree with him on the size of the figure he’s pointed out. I think it’s a lot higher in the Northwest Territories. The specific benefits in theory are supposed to go to the program.

But what I will say is that the important thing is: are we getting value for money? Is the money going to the right ideals that we believe we subscribe to, which is making sure we can keep the cost of food as low as possible for all Northerners to be able to benefit, no matter what community...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS, the Government of Canada has operated the Food Mail Program for many years;

AND WHEREAS the program now costs approximately $50 million annually to administer, with those costs increasing on a yearly basis;

AND WHEREAS the intent of the Food Mail Program is to subsidize the high costs of groceries in small northern Canadian communities by reducing the cost to ship healthy food items north;

AND WHEREAS there have been many instances over the years of abuse and poor management of that program;

AND WHEREAS many people suggest that the Government of Canada is...

Mr. Speaker, I guess it’s not so much of an “if” scenario as…. I mean, we plan EMOs for exactly these types of operations when something happens. I guess I’m really searching for the answer to how prepared the government is if this problem creeps into the Northwest Territories. Because, I mean, we get our food from places like Edmonton, Calgary and beyond, and that’s a reality if that’s a problem. If they can’t fill up their trucks there to drive north, it affects the reality we live in here.

Mr. Speaker, that’s the type of information I’m trying to get here. I’m not trying to embarrass anybody...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I talked in my Member’s statement today about a concern about diesel fuel for transportation and the concern that shortage has caused. My question could apply to multiple Ministers, but I think maybe in this particular case I may ask the Premier for his perspective on the situation.

In this situation here we have a possibility of a shortage.... Well, actually, I shouldn’t say possibility. We know there’s a shortage in Western Canada. The question really is: when is this shortage going to creep up into the Northwest Territories?

I’d like to ask the Premier: from his...

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Mr. Bromley’s motion as very important, and I appreciate the spirit and intent of it.

Mr. Speaker, as the father of two young children I certainly understand and in no way dispute the nutritional value of milk. I understand that clearly, and it makes perfect sense to me. I also understand the impacts of what happens when you don’t have milk.

It’s difficult to say this, but I cannot support this motion at this time the way it’s designed. This program, in my view, is what the Food Mail Program, in principle, should be doing but isn’t doing. I believe that the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the motion speaks for itself as to the merits of why this should be taken on. I want to thank the seconder, Mr. Jackie Jacobson of Nunakput, for seconding this.

Mr. Speaker, this issue is very important. I’ve been made aware through a number of sources that the Food Mail Program is probably not used regularly in the context of being used properly and as efficiently as possible. When push comes to shove, at times the good, healthy food tends to get pushed aside for the less healthy food. That’s a shame.

Although the federal government at this time is doing a review...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seconded the motion proudly because I believe in this initiative. My wife and I bought a hybrid vehicle two years ago. I can tell you that when we were there, the salesperson said: where do you live? I said: we live in Yellowknife. He felt at that time, due to the analysis, that a hybrid vehicle might not necessarily give us the best payback. But that’s not how we run our family. We said that this is a smart, economical choice, and we’re making choices because we’re thinking of tomorrow as opposed to just today.

I would encourage any incentives that could be brought...

Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to hear that the supply won’t affect the resupply process that happened already this summer. I mean, from a community perspective, knowing that you only get filled up once, maybe even twice a year if you’re lucky, you’re right: it has a significant impact. I’m glad that there’s stability there.

But, Mr. Speaker, there are things like food that have to be delivered to the Northwest Territories through the trucking system. There is home heating fuel that has to be delivered as well — things along those lines. That’s some of the issue that’s being raised here, the concern...

Thank you Mr. Speaker. There is a serious shortage of diesel fuel across western Canada. Many drivers are nervous about the supply and whether it will dry up altogether. Most certainly the question out there today is how effective is the resupply going to be in the North, both the supply as well as the price. Those are important questions. In a recent news broadcast a spokesman from Petro-Canada said the shortage is due to an unexpected high demand this month from wholesalers. In addition, problems at several Alberta refineries have combined with diesel fuel in short supply. Two refineries...

I seem to recall that clearly, but okay; I will accept that.

Mr. Chairman, with classroom size has there been a change between the old, typical design of classroom size per square foot to a modern size design? Therefore, if we go to a wholly full-fledged new school, in theory, would the school be smaller because of the new standardization of designs in comparison to renovating the existing school?