Bob Bromley

Mr. Speaker, NTPC is a government-owned provider directed by GNWT and we have not provided written guidance to them since 2005. A close look at our review work to date is not inspiring. It is my fervent hope that rather than getting stuck in the same mould approaches, we will clearly see the need for energy services that reflect our values, recognize our scales and serve our priorities within the realities of today’s challenges. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions of the appropriate Minister. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If there is still time to get this in before we’re done here today... I’m just kidding.

---Laughter

First of all, I wanted to say that I also recognize from the Minister’s comments this is a huge challenge. The costs in many of these areas are going up and some of the areas are beyond our control. I believe we spent about 25 percent of our budget on health and I suspect, based on my rusty knowledge of other jurisdictions, that it’s even been higher in other jurisdictions. Given the challenges that Mrs. Groenewegen has highlighted, that’s some sort of a marker that we’re...

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Next on my list is Mr. Menicoche.

General comments. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. We are open for general comments. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, committee. Short break.

---SHORT RECESS

Greetings, committee. We’re all set to go here. We have before us today for consideration Bill 2, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2009-2010; Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act; Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Summary Conviction Procedures Act; Tabled Document 62-16(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011. What is the wish of committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

I think the last comment the Minister provided, I appreciate that information. The last comment is the source of my concern; that we’re waiting to see if these things are covered. I’m very concerned that those three pillars have not been sufficiently provided in the guidance to the reviews. Can the Minister assure us that they indeed were and we’re just not waiting to see if they happen to be covered in the results?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on my Member’s statement earlier. My questions are for the lead Minister for energy or any other appropriate Minister. We all await the formal release of the internal NTPC review and we’ve seen the reports on the rate review. We’re interested in what the contribution is to providing to our energy future. Can the Minister confirm that a major intent of these reviews is to improve the affordability of power for all users through reduced costs?

General comments for Health and Social Services. Ms. Bisaro.