Bob Bromley

I would suggest that these complaints go way beyond what the Minister is suggesting how we can improve the program. These are issues with the current implementation. We have seen the public consultative process design for the feedback on the devolution process. Basically, go to our website and send us a note.

What is the process in place for ECE to gather, catalogue and respond to complaints from early childhood education workers and the public about start-up and emerging problems with Junior Kindergarten in the NWT, or do we not have one?

When will the public learn how long we will be contracting out the operation of our Stanton Territorial Hospital?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An exciting movement is gaining momentum in Canada, growing from a seed planted right here in the Weledeh riding of Yellowknife. Weledeh and other territorial youth approached former Premier Stephen Kakfwi with a new vision for the relationship between Canada and First Nations, a chance to redefine the partnership between those who settled here and those who welcomed them. This movement is called Canadians for a New Partnership.

Composed of exceptional leaders from across Canada, including former Prime Ministers and Premiers and obviously our own former Premier Kakfwi...

Thanks for that confirmation by the Minister. So, what are the long-term consequences of this P3 project? Can you describe what the ramifications are to Stanton public infrastructure, its operation and maintenance, potentially, over the course of time?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think it’s understood and I think the Ministers would agree that public infrastructure is generally cheaper because there is not a profit motive. In this case, bringing in a private enterprise, there is a profit motive. Motivation for doing this is that we are short on capital and this is a mechanism to get around that. But it is more expensive than a public project, so I just want to confirm that that’s the reasoning for going for a P3 here. Thank you.

That’s all I have, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a couple of questions on the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project. First of all, I appreciate that the Minister will not privatize medical services. Of course, committee insisted that during the development of the P3 policy that if we ever contemplated hospital renovations as a P3, we would certainly not be open to privatization of medical services. Of course, as I understand it, the P3 project has something to do in its title with maintenance. I think it’s construction, operation and maintenance or something like that, not operations. That’s the...

Thanks for that information. I assume the last year is just patching up things that need to be patched up and might deal with things that might come up, but I’d welcome any further information on that. Actually, that’s really it.

Like I said, I would welcome any more comments there. I did want to appreciate that the Hay River facility is happening. I know they lost a facility with the demolition of their previous hospital, and the Minister has been hearing us talk about long-term care beds, and here’s an example outside of Yellowknife where there is action happening, as I mentioned earlier, as...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a letter from ENR to the chair of the Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board, entitled “Response to Board Requests for Comments – Ekati Reclamation Security.” Mahsi.

Thank you. From what I hear anecdotally from constituents and those involved, there is a chill in the ranks of ECE surrounding any acknowledgements of difficulty with the implementation of this program, and this goes for the regions.

What direction has the Minister and his senior staff given to regional staff on procedures for dealing with complaints about Junior Kindergarten from ECE workers and the public?