Brendan Bell was first elected to the 14th Legislative Assembly on December 6th, 1999. Born on August 17th, 1971 Brendan has lived in the NWT since 1980. He now lives in Yellowknife with his wife Jill and their daughter Emily.
Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Bell was a business owner and also worked for a management-consulting firm in Yellowknife for several years. Brendan has Bachelor of Commerce and Masters in Business Administration degrees.
In the 14th Assembly Brendan was appointed Chair of Standing Committee on Social Programs, Chair of Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, and Chair of Special Committee on Conflict Process. He also served as a member of both the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight and the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, June 5, 2006, I will move that Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006, be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, June 5, 2006, I will move that Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006, be read for the first time.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been discussing this with my colleague, the Minister of Health. We do have a Social Envelope Ministers Committee that discusses these issues frequently. I have talked about this and we have seen over the years here, especially recently, that it has been difficult in his community of Wrigley to get a permanent nurse in the community. One of the concerns was about the lack of a permanent policing presence. We are trying to work on that. We recognize there are linkages here. We can’t afford to be a stovepipe. So we are collaborating. I am trying to coordinate our...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been discussing this with my colleague, the Minister of Health. We do have a Social Envelope Ministers Committee that discusses these issues frequently. I have talked about this and we have seen over the years here, especially recently, that it has been difficult in his community of Wrigley to get a permanent nurse in the community. One of the concerns was about the lack of a permanent policing presence. We are trying to work on that. We recognize there are linkages here. We can’t afford to be a stovepipe. So we are collaborating. I am trying to coordinate our...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly find out. The Member is right that I have said the department’s foremost priority is to get additional resources on the ground in our smaller communities. Members know there are 13 communities that currently don’t have a permanent police presence. Of course, they are served out of the larger centres and I think we do a very good job with the resources we have, but I have made the case to the federal government that we have pressing needs. There are pressures coming from development. We need a strategy, we need more resources and we will continue to do...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly find out. The Member is right that I have said the department’s foremost priority is to get additional resources on the ground in our smaller communities. Members know there are 13 communities that currently don’t have a permanent police presence. Of course, they are served out of the larger centres and I think we do a very good job with the resources we have, but I have made the case to the federal government that we have pressing needs. There are pressures coming from development. We need a strategy, we need more resources and we will continue to do...
Mr. Speaker, I think I have a very close working relationship with the Governance and Economic Development committee. We meet quite frequently to discuss issues formally and informally. I am more than wiling to do that with Members as it relates to constituents who have specific concerns. Yes, I do rely on the advocacy of Members to bring those issues forward. In terms of communication on major initiatives, that is my job to come forward to committee and present them with those things. Of course, we had that discussion when we decided to move away from the National Diamond Strategy. I did...
Mr. Speaker, obviously, it is not our hope or intention that we set people up to fail and somehow they end up back in our court system and back into our jails. We do need to do a comprehensive job as a government, making sure there are treatment options. We need to work in our corrections system to make sure that those who are in our facilities have access to these supports. I think we do a number of things that are very good. Are there needs and are there gaps? Yes, there are, Mr. Speaker. I would certainly acknowledge that. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, obviously, it is not our hope or intention that we set people up to fail and somehow they end up back in our court system and back into our jails. We do need to do a comprehensive job as a government, making sure there are treatment options. We need to work in our corrections system to make sure that those who are in our facilities have access to these supports. I think we do a number of things that are very good. Are there needs and are there gaps? Yes, there are, Mr. Speaker. I would certainly acknowledge that. Thank you.
