Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, we’ve spent a considerable amount of time with the standing committees to ensure that we got the right questions out there and also we prepared a number of discussion papers. We’ve laid out a very ambitious communications strategy and it’s our intention to go into a number of communities and make sure all of these meetings are well advertised and that we get as many people out as possible. We do have a committee panel that’s been established and we will be counting on the panel to respond as to what they hear through their consultations. Thank you...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As the Minister of Finance has indicated, the previous Financial Management Board direction has been that the cost of collective bargaining not be included in the base budget primarily because the costs don’t occur every year and they are variable from one collective bargaining cycle to another. So, for example, collective agreements could last from two years to four years. So it makes it difficult to predict when funding will be required.

But on a personal level, I should serve notice that we’ll be seeking ongoing funding for collective bargaining, because we feel that we...

Mr. Speaker, the Member can be assured that the fundamental aspect of the review is to try to find ways to reduce costs and to provide cheaper energy to people in the communities. There are a number of different ways that it can be done. I will wait until the committee has had a chance to do its work and make its recommendations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

If the Member is hearing these concerns from his constituents, then there will be opportunity for them to raise those concerns. As the Premier has indicated, he will be coming forward with terms of reference and mandates for the other two reviews which the Member would have input into. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have a discussion paper that has been circulated and it asks all the questions that have been developed in conjunction with the standing committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We are providing for the participation of non-tax-based communities in a workshop with the NWT Association of Communities and we will be paying for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Also I am a member of the Rules committee and I support this motion. Personally I don’t see the need for a trial period. I think we should go right into having wholehearted use of it but if the committee would like to see a trial period, I will be supporting the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board 2008 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Like my colleagues have mentioned, this is a very serious issue not to be taken lightly and I’ve listened very carefully to what everybody has said on both sides. Like everybody here, I’m very proud and honoured to be an MLA. I’m also proud and honoured to serve my constituents for the past 16 months. I have been proud and honoured to work with my colleagues on both sides of the floor. I’ve been proud to work with GNWT staff both here in headquarters and up and down the valley. Their efforts are crucial to our success and I applaud them all.

The past several months have been challenging for all...

Mr. Speaker, rare earth elements are being increasingly sought for their importance in the development of green technologies. 

It is rare earth elements such as dysprosium that allow electric motors to remain lightweight and small, yet deliver the efficiency and power required for modern vehicles.  Europium is used in florescent lighting which cuts energy use by 75 percent compared to incandescent lighting. Terbium is used in energy efficient fluorescent lamps. Yttrium is used in almost every vehicle on the road. Yttrium-based materials improve the fuel efficiency of engines. 

Despite continued...