Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. General comments. It looks like we’ve covered everyone. We’ll give an opportunity to the Minister to respond to general comments. Minister Beaulieu.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Welcome, Minister of Health and department here again this afternoon. It’s interesting. I am sitting here listening to the Minister’s opening remarks, and the first paragraph indicates $363 million, which is a 4 percent increase from last year. It makes it sound like that is an incredible number, which it is. But when you factor in forced growth, we’re not even touching the issues that are affecting the residents of the Northwest Territories, in my opinion. In fact, you’ll hear for three days on what that opinion is very valid. We’re not even near.

I am hoping the...

I agree that there ought to be a stepped approach for requirements. Is it safe to say that the need of a proper legislation for the functioning of a crematorium lies in the hands of the territorial government, yet we’re waiting for a request, I guess, from the general public or organization? Given that fact, we are only one of two remaining jurisdictions in Canada without such legislation, it bears to ask the question, could the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs consider such legislation in the absence of requests from public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke on a sensitive topic pertaining to lack of legislation around the functioning of a crematorium. I want to convey again my respect of such topic to the many cultures sensitive to the subject.

The costs of a cremation are respectfully more affordable than traditional embalming, casket and burial. As I mentioned earlier today, without the proper legislation means we cannot have a functioning crematorium in the Northwest Territories. As a result, families must incur extra expenses to send loved ones to southern facilities. It is with this topic in mind...

I’d like to thank Minister Beaulieu here today and I’d like to thank Ms. DeLancey and Ms. Mathison. Sergeant-at-Arms, if you could escort the witnesses out of the House. Thank you very much.

I do appreciate the Minister earmarking the need. I guess the question is when. If he has the ability to ask that, it would be nice for the House to know what the master plan is behind it. More importantly, we found out yesterday through our deliberations that through the Opportunities Fund this government has roughly $7 million parked, for what I really don’t know. I would assume it’s for initiatives. If so, I would say that this is possibly a really good initiative to invest this money in. Maybe if we can get an answer as to if this is not a good initiative, what initiative is the money that...

Industry, Tourism and Investment, 12-39, information item, work performed on behalf of others. Any questions?

Thank you, Minister McLeod. The Chair aims to please. Page 5-51, NWT Housing Corporation, information item, finance and infrastructure services, operations expenditure summary. Any questions?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just so I’m perfectly clear, we believe that there are contribution programs and the Minister indicated that there are venture investment programs. Will they, too, be under the premise of this program review? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Can we get clarification, Mr. Stewart?