Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If the Minister could elaborate what we get for $95,000 out of this $245,000 breakdown. We pay $100,000 for someone to negotiate on our behalf; $50,000 we pay for someone to do research. If you could elaborate on what the $95,000 gives the territorial government for service. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Actually, this is quite an unusual experience. Normally my time flies by. This is nice; I have lots of time here. Can the Minister supply me with those numbers I was requesting about last year’s travel costs? Can I have the ministry breakout as well as the negotiators breakout? How often, before I release the mike, do these negotiating teams travel at, if I may boldly say, $768,000 worth of travel? If the Minister could explain that. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just before I leave this issue, if the Minister could explain to me why training couldn't have been provided in the Fort Simpson area to meet the needs of this position. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If the Minister could be so kind in pointing it out, he did say he wasn't sure; I'm not sure either. I would appreciate if the Minister could point that out with the title. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the very good answers from the Minister. What does a team consist of? Can you break it down and give me an idea? Are we sending 15 negotiators as one team? Are we sending a suitcase full of lawyers? What does a team consist of? How many people are we talking about and what kind of expertise are we sending, such as four negotiators and four lawyers, et cetera? If the Minister could oblige us all, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am going to go on the faith that our Premier has committed to us as a Legislative Assembly on quarterly reporting. I don’t feel comfortable doing all reporting, because I think what we are going to do is create a bureaucracy alone on this travel. When we are talking about making government work a little smoother, a little simpler, I would rather start with his comments, and then we can put that on the check. If we just said international travel, I would be comfortable with that, but all southern travel and international travel is a little too much for me right...

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Minister. Just to readdress the issue, because I was reading during Mr. Menicoche's questions. Could he reconfirm on how many positions are outstanding to be returned to Fort Simpson, and if it's more than one is it a progressive transfer reinstating those positions in that community? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister, for your answer, and thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, if the Minister could further explain what we get for $100,000 as a term negotiator as in time, how long they work with the department, and what we get for a $50,000 research contract. I'm just trying to clear this up as in why. Is $100,000 slated to pay a negotiator for a year, and is $50,000 kind of slated around a program to pay a researcher for a year? I'm just curious in us finding new avenues to have excluded negotiated contracts, when either they should be employed within the service or you should...

I appreciate the passionate response. Thank you, Mr. Minister. I appreciate the commitment. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Without presuming I'm a lease expert or a contract expert, it's my understanding that there is still dispute of who is the ownership of the lease in the sense of who the agreement is still standing with. Either it is with the Yellowknife education board or the GNWT, and that seems, from my understanding, an issue never cleared up since the transfer of the education program directly to the board.

Maybe I'm not being clear. Would the Minister be willing to look at it and substantiate it and just reaffirm that the GNWT either has a commitment or no commitment on this...