Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was sort of with the Minister for awhile there, but once again he put it onto the small communities versus large communities. I think it’s a most unfortunate argument when we are talking about the safety of people and what’s achievable and where our responsibilities lie. So I guess I’d like clarifications from the Minister on that question, the banning of use of cell phones while driving and other devices, for example, simply because it only protects people in the larger centres. Does this Minister agree with his own reported reasoning that because there is no...

The Minister did indeed do very well. Recent polls show that the majority of Yellowknifers, and in fact in the Territories, could not do nearly so well. In fact, to this day I couldn’t have done it myself. However, knowing this, that the majority of people do not know those numbers offhand, that delays, of course, result in injuries and possibly more serious concerns. Knowing that 911 is technically feasible throughout much if not all of the NWT, why is the Minister stubbornly denying -- stubbornly denying -- the 911 service? Mahsi.

The Minister seems to insist on talking about details, and thinking that I am asking for details, and insisting she needs more details, and insisting on meeting about more details. What is needed here is decisive action to support this centre that provides a very important service. For example, this centre is paying $40,000 per year for rent on the building that they are in to the Housing Corporation. Is the Minister acting to work to get that forgiven or to provide funding specifically for that?

The Centre for Northern Families has an option to provide important advice to the child and family...

I appreciate that support from the Minister. Hopefully it came from the department. I am certain that if it didn’t, it came from the centre in making sure the government has been involved. Again, I don’t know what support is being offered there. I don’t know what assurance there is. Is the Minister committing to assure us that the centre will not be closed and its programs will continue? I will leave it at that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a great pleasure to recognize today Arlene Hache, the executive director of the Centre for Northern Families and the heart and soul, I suspect, of the organization as well. With her is a good healthy contingent of keen supporters of the Centre for Northern Families. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak on the urgent situation facing the Centre for Northern Families. Every night up to 23 women have had to flee their homes and find safety at the centre. The centre further provides a prenatal nutrition program, a family support program, a daycare and early childhood development program, a weekly drop-in medical and sexually transmitted infection clinic for women, and a youth suicide prevention and addiction treatment program to name only a few, all important priorities of this government.

GNWT funding to the centre totals about $400,000 a year in return...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Environment and Natural Resources Minister about the environmental regulatory reform issues that I raised in the previous session. The point was that we could improve the regulatory processes by ensuring that board appointments are not allowed to lapse. The Minister replied to my request for information on which of our appointed seats were vacant and his information shows we have been diligent. I then asked what efforts are being made to see that our federal and First Nations partners are keeping their appointments up to date. Part of my previous...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 1-16(4), NWT Capital Estimates 2010-2011, to be now concluded and that Tabled Document 1-16(4) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

So that’s great. We will expect to see that soon. Does the Premier have a plan for a review of the report by committee? What is the process that he’s anticipating? Thank you.

Again, I agree with the approach being taken as stated by the Minister. What progress is being made here? Obviously, I am assuming from the responses, that we have not increased resources to these agencies. There has been no increase by the federal government. Is that the situation? Is there an expectation on when we might expect to see that? Thank you.