Bob Bromley

Mr. Speaker, order. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to mention Gary’s son, Sevn Bohnet, just to conclude the family circle there.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to salute and support the creation of Yellowknife’s superb system of bicycle paths and recognize government’s role in assuring safety.

Riding a bike is an individual route to greenhouse gas reductions that add up big. The ability to bike is one of the things that make cities the places of people, not cars. Because we live amid the world’s greatest wilderness, bikeways are also an avenue to fabulous backcountry recreation for residents and tourists.

The City of Yellowknife continues to develop the bike path system that contributes to its ranking as the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I very much appreciate that commitment. I’ll look forward to seeing that in the business plans. I think it’s something we did talk about during the very first stages of this Assembly when I think the proposed initiative was $10,000, an extreme embarrassment to the people of the Northwest Territories. I know the department did finally put a slight bit more together, but it’s talking about the issue, it’s not doing. We are coming to the end of our term, so I’ll look forward to seeing that in the business plans. I’d like to understand that Cabinet realizes the role of the...

Thank you. I don’t disagree with really much of what the Premier said. The difficulty is that there are still pipes that are preventing this getting done and this government has been very ineffective at dealing with that. I’m trying to get some effective action out there. Right now there’s a questionnaire that’s been put and being distributed and it is extremely simplistic and highly unfocused. Was this all that came out of our so-called main effort that took us two years to complete the conference on volunteerism? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Finance.

What have been the costs by year during the term of the 16th Assembly to date and budgeted for this fiscal year for activities relating to the Mackenzie Gas Project including such costs as:

preparation for and participating in Joint Review Panel and National Energy Board proceedings;

travel and receptions by Ministers with MLAs and officials;

staff positions and contractor services; and

communications planning, promotional events, publicity and advertising.

Mr. Speaker, thanks for the Minister’s remarks there. We have a system where one agency polices the workplace, administers claims and makes the decisions, in this case, without knowing or admitting the discretion it has to vary recommendations of its advisors. What will this Minister do to actively, regularly and independently monitor the activities and judgements of the WSCC to put the injured on a more level playing field? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. Jurisdictions have enacted workers’ compensation legislation to ensure every worker is protected when they suffer injury in the workplace, yet I can’t help feeling my constituent would have been wiser to have a car accident with instant free access to legal advice, medical examinations and other services through his insurance company. Why does it take months for WSCC to move files when all that is needed is the prompt advice of its medical and legal advisors? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to relay the personal experience of a constituent whose unfortunate workplace injuries have resulted in a two-year odyssey of frustration, delay and uninformed support.

In September 2008, my constituent suffered a workplace accident resulting in severe damage to his ribs and spine. He is left with six to nine permanently detached ribs, nerve damage and great chronic pain with no hope of surgical correction. He can never again resume full duties and must make the choice between pain and debilitating narcotic medication.

He has experienced an apparently...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the English version of sub-clause 3 of Bill 5 be amended by striking out “an certificate of competence” and substituting “certificate of competence”. Thank you.

Thank you. Volunteer groups are desperate for some real assistance with capacity and liability issues and training. This requires an informed person, an informed person with some funding who recognizes the critical need for the third sector, the volunteer community. Would the Premier commit, or at least look into, perhaps commit to looking into establishing an outreach office within the Executive that puts in place just such a qualified person and funds to serve that desperate need that we’re hearing about? Thank you.