Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Public Works and Services. I’d like to follow up on his statement yesterday.

Yesterday the Minister gave a statement outlining some of the things we have done to reduce energy consumption, and I was pleased to hear the progress that’s been made. However, until a long overdue energy efficiency act is in place, our performance as a territory will be hit and miss.

We know that an act is not about to happen during the life of this Assembly, but the Minister at least promised a discussion paper towards such an act, but where is the...

In focus sessions, participants concluded that food systems are at the heart of localized economies and food security; that climate change, energy costs and health are three primary drivers of renewable energy adoption; and that compared to oil and gas, renewables are investments in local jobs and businesses. Much work needs to be done to evolve government policy that recognizes and supports local economies.

In conclusion, the goal should be community empowerment that builds a strong local economic foundation and restores the commons. We need to take control of our destiny, invest in our...

Thanks to the Minister for those comments. The other gap that is out there is that there are many seniors, because of their income levels, who would never be able to get into these facilities that we are imagining.

What role does the Minister see government playing in the small Northwest Territories economy at working to provide private facilities or encouraging private facilities? Those who have the financial resources, families who have financial resources can have an option to support their elders with the care that they need, but they are unlikely to get the same support from a government...

I’m not sure I fully understand that. I understand the work to get us to the point of being ready to do the work in the field, but I would assume that that needs to take place during the construction season after the 1st of April, and I don’t see that work referred to in the capital plan here. That’s why I’m wondering whether it would come forward in a supplementary appropriation.

That’s good news. In the absence of a logical strategy, people have been pursing agriculture on their own, wrestling with volatile and inconsistent support and often barriers from this government. They have a lot of experience to share and they are hoping the government will actually hear them.

What consultative process is the Minister engaged in or was the Minister engaged in to hear from the people regarding a comprehensive NWT agricultural policy? Mahsi.

Thanks to the Minister. That sounds good. I wonder, though, if the Minister could work with his colleague and provide us with an outline of exactly how our economic development officers are aware of this challenge for communities and helping out in helping them select the best possible options and cost benefits for their access to this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am surprised and disappointed to see that there’s not significant work planned for Prelude Lake area. I am wondering if I could get a status on what work has been done there and what is still to be done. I know there’s a lot of concern about the parking areas down by the dock and the need to do some work on that dock. Obviously, low water time is a good time to be in there doing that sort of work. Maybe I could start by asking for an update on the status of that redevelopment at Prelude Lake Park. Thank you.

As I was saying, in Yellowknife, with half of our territorial population served by a facility with a meagre 29 beds needing mid-life retrofit, our seniors’ plight is well known and has been obvious for some time. How can we still be waiting for action?

We have the responsibility and the power. So I say, colleagues, Minister, executive, our Cabinet, out of respect for our elders like Annette, let’s get it done. Mahsi.

I appreciate that. I am just wondering: how are we helping the communities take advantage of that point of presence, I guess is what I am saying. I am asking because, obviously, they don’t always have the capacity. I certainly would be at a loss on how to take advantage of the point of presence. It is beyond my ken. I am wondering: are we helping communities to assess options towards optimizing the benefits they will get that a point of presence provides in each home. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I see an upgrade to the washhouse at the Tundra Ecosystem Research Station, which I’m pleased to see. There is a lot of leading edge research based at that research station.

What is the long-term thinking of this research station? I know there was some discussion of that with change in personnel over the past few years. Could I get the latest thinking on that facility? Thank you.