Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a video disk, Hand to Toe - An Exploration in the Art of Giving, the first Hot Docs to be produced by an NWT filmmaker.

Thank you, Minister. Committee, we have before us Bill 5, Write-off of Debts Act, 2010-11. Comments, general comments. I’m hearing none. Does committee agree we go to detail?

Thank you, committee. We’ll go to page 4 and we’ll go clause by clause. Do you agree?

Returning to clause by clause, page 1 of Bill 6, clause 1.

---Clauses 1 and 2 inclusive approved

Thanks for that response. Of course, it’s good to hear it in the House, having the record of the past Minister making claims that haven’t come to fruition.

Mr. Speaker, we hear a lot of talk about the money here. The money involved is actually quite modest, even for a backup for this, and we all are aware of the areas in the government that could be tightened up for this sort of thing. When you look at $1.4 billion, this is a priority that’s been stated by our people, so will the Minister immediately reinstate the Midwifery Program, add the necessary backup at modest cost, and conduct the...

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. I’d like to ask the Minister if he wishes to bring in witnesses.

Committee, further comments, general comments?

Before we start that, we’ll defer that until we have looked at the schedule to the bill. Is committee agreed?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are also for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I note that the Minister has said that full obstetrical hospital services are available, so the loss of the Midwifery Program is not serious here in Yellowknife. This, of course, misses the point. Midwifery delivers a service that, in fact, ensures the health of young mothers and their babies far beyond surviving the experience.

Our current underfunded service is probably delivering big savings and enjoys enormous client support, but the promise since 2009 hasn’t been carried out. At the very least, a...

Thank you, committee. Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, is now ready for third reading. I would like to thank the witness and ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort the witness from the Chamber.

Moving on, committee, next on the agenda is Bill 5, Write-off of Debts Act, 2010-2011. I’d like to ask the Minister if he has opening remarks. Minister Miltenberger.