Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I completely agree with the Minister. My comments are in line with that. For example, I see development of the energy policy with our new responsibilities, and particularly renewable energy, as some real opportunities for spending some of those remaining dollars, and I think we need a debate on whether it’s best needed there or any other area such as that that committee might come up with versus the communications side of things. Committee did offer comments with respect to the communications side of things that we weren’t convinced that we needed a change in structure...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess where the debate becomes important is this 900-and-whatever-thousand dollars, over ten years that’s $9 million. These are significant dollars that we’re talking about, and we know that there are very serious needs in a number of priorities – and I know the Premier and the Minister would agree – and we have not had that debate on where these dollars would go towards the delivery of our new priorities. That’s talking about the $63,000 million, $65 million. So that’s a process problem again.

The last communications we had from the Premier on this was that the Cabinet...

No question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks again to the Minister. Given the benefits the new models will bring to our residents and communities, allowing people to pursue traditional seasonal land-based activities and so on and becoming more involved in community and family building, and if the results of the Minister’s survey indicate high interest, will the Minister commit to the pursuit of a more flexible range of job options within the civil service for the people of the Northwest Territories? I see this as a nicely contained thing that can be done before the end of this Assembly. Mahsi.

Thanks to the Minister. It’s that sort of straightjacketed model that I’m saying needs to be blown a little bit wide open with some innovation.

Currently, the vast majority of jobs in the NWT are traditional full-time, 8:30 to 5:00, five days a week model based on one PY. Many people would be happier seeking employment based on a different model. In fact, there is no reason in the world why a job should be one PY. Jobs vary highly. It’s how we categorize. Let’s put some imagination to that.

What proportion of our jobs would the Minister know vary from the typical 8:30 to 5:00 one PY model? He...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize our Pages today, particularly Emma Willoughby. I’m not sure if she’s in the House at this moment, but she’s around somewhere. Also, of course, I’d like to recognize her mother, Catherine Boyd, in the gallery with us today. Thanks very much for all of the things you do on behalf of the MLAs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Even knowing the opportunities for Member’s statements during this short session are few, I would want to take time today to profile the need for and importance of providing flexibility in part-time versus full-time jobs in government and in our communities. This simple but key act yields benefits ranging from an enhanced quality of life to a healthier society and the retention and attraction of NWT workers and families. The far-reaching impact of this modest tweak to employment patterns is something that job providers throughout the Northwest Territories, both public...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to follow up on my colleagues with regard to the new general purpose facility in Yellowknife. I know we’ve had a lot of discussions on getting territorial art into that building and coming up with a policy. Can I get confirmation that indeed the policy is in place and that this building will be, where appropriate, studded with NWT art as per the policy?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’ll leave it at that. I can inform the Minister of instances where those in fact have arisen, but that’s another discussion. I’m happy to leave it for now.

That’s good to hear. I guess my last question is: So, operating sites, they are not included here. I believe we have another system, security deposits, financial security deposits and so on to look after those when if a mine is abandoned or the company goes bankrupt, which we know happens all too often, we will end up picking up that cost. But I’m wondering, in the consideration of what would go in here, do we include or should we be including, or is the mandate from the Auditor General or whoever is setting these standards, does it include consideration of operating sites for which we have...