Bob Bromley

The biggest folly here is that we are force feeding a model on a number of systems, some of which are functioning very well and some of which are not. There seems to be no attempt to differentiate these or consider inherent regional realities to help focus and facilitate productive discussions and input.

Government’s proposals have generated more than some strong public reaction and feedback, as our Premier has said today, but they have done more than that; they have generated outright rejection. Surely we have learned our lesson by now and we realize good communications makes for good policy...

Thanks to the Minister for these comments. Do we know what the core need has been set at or recognized at in the recent past and where we are sitting relative to that for Ndilo and Dettah? Thank you.

What makes this so problematic? There must be similar situations in many areas of Canada and the Northwest Territories, probably. I am wondering why this is problematic here. Thank you.

With that, maybe we’ll just take a short break at this time and then we’ll resume with your responses.

---SHORT RECESS

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks to the Minister for his opening comments. I see we are committing fewer funds this year. I am wondering about additional revenues. I guess it is called other revenues of $69 million. I will be asking questions about what exactly the source of those dollars is. It is probably in here somewhere. We may be getting an additional $55 million in new federal investments over the next two years, some which must be cost-matched. I am wondering if, when we do firm that up, there will be additional opportunities for review and input of how those dollars will be allocated...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That hasn’t clarified the process here to me. Just for clarity, will the Minister be providing the public with the information necessary for them to be able to comment prior to April 1st or is our public to remain mute until April 1st and then they can look at the results and comment thereafter?

I think these elections are important parts of our democratic process. I think also that particularly in education, the area the Minister has identified, this is a way we can find passionate and truly dedicated people. The statements I’ve seen by the Minister, the outright statements and insinuations, is that we would get rid of all these democratically elected positions and move to appointments. Does the Minister not agree that this would be a loss of engagement with our public? A loss of the civil input, civil society role for meaningful input and the passion that we really want in our...

Mr. Chair, I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to recognize everybody that is attending today, particularly those constituents from the Weledeh riding, and in particular all of the young people that have shown up today and remind us exactly what our jobs are. Thank you.

---Applause