Bob Bromley

I appreciate that response from the Minister. I do agree with him. What progress is being made? What is the response that we are hearing back on that? I know that has been something we have been raising even probably in the previous Assemblies. I know it is getting additional attention here. What is the status? What is our progress? What can be done to expedite that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to leave a message for the government on two telephone issues. First and most pressing is the obvious need for introduction of 911 emergency telephone service beginning in our major communities. The Minister’s position on this can only be described as stubborn and illogical. The arguments for realizing the clear advantages of 911 service are overwhelming.

A well researched and documented feasibility study shows the service can be cost effectively introduced on a phased-in basis. Today’s media reports confirm that NorthwesTel, after 10 years of study and investment...

That’s good to know about. Given that the electricity review report, when it comes out, and the one on the ATCO proposal will all be relevant, will there be a stage planned where we take a comprehensive look at all these before we act on any one individual part and put all this together? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier and it’s with regard to the NTPC review report. The last update I recall is there had been a delay from August to September, but we are now going into November. I am wondering when will we see the report. There is a lot of fundamental issues to be dealt with that will take a lot of effort, so what date can we expect this report?

Again, I appreciate those comments and the update. Mr. Speaker, I feel strongly that this is the same issue. The other aspect of regulatory reform was the appropriate level of funding provided to our regulatory agencies. It was acknowledged that that was insufficient. What progress is being made on that front? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I can’t help but make my perennial comment here. This commitment, obviously, I think to date we’ve spent somewhere in the order of $9 million looking after our tank farms and there are new federal regulations requiring additional monitoring equipment and fairly expensive equipment and so on. Of course, we have these tank farms in many of our communities. Again, I hope that this is brought into the accounting equation when we consider other energy infrastructure; for example, the Biomass Strategy implementation, should we get around to that when talking about what we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, I appreciate those comments. I suppose the last question, really, is, is there a time frame -- given that we’re slightly over halfway through our term here, and I’d like to see some good progress here, I know many of us would and it sounds like the Deputy Premier as well -- that we can expect for this initiative to come from Cabinet or does he see Social Programs leading that effort? Thank you.

Thank you for the comments, Deputy Premier. I think certainly those comments reflect where many of us are. Given that a well thought out and implemented strategy with ongoing evaluation is demonstrably more effective than independent reactive policies, such as we put in place now -- and we have put a lot in place, I’m the first to admit that -- what action is this government willing to take to now move to the next level of developing a comprehensive strategic plan to tackle the issue? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my great pleasure to welcome people belonging to the Goyatiko Language Society in Dettah. First, I’d like to recognize Mary Rose Sundberg, instructor, and her students: Lena Drygeese, Francis Betsina, Nora Crookedhand, Stella Martin, Andrew Crapeau and Margaret Baillargeon. Welcome to the House. Maybe a hand for those people, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Also, Mr. Speaker, we had students and teachers of Grade 6 Weledeh School. It was great to have them in the House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.