David Krutko

Page 4. Mr. Ramsay.

Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that there have been some tenders let in the Mackenzie Delta region. Yet some of these items haven’t even been approved by this House. In one case, it was deferred ’til the May-June session. Mr. Speaker, also part of those tendering documents called for materials to be delivered in 2009.

I’d like to ask the Premier: are we spending money in this fiscal year which hasn’t been budgeted for in this House? Also, why is it that we are allocating contracts for next year, which is April 2009, when we’re not even to April 2008 yet?

Thank you, Mr. Roland.

We’re under Department of Executive, appropriation authority required: $7,500,000.

Executive, $7,500,000 approved.

Finance, appropriation authorization request: $4,234,000.

Finance, $4,234,000 approved.

Mr. Speaker, I think it’s very important that we do, whenever possible, have dialogue with the Upper House by way of the Senators that do come to the North, because they do have a role to play in what happens in Ottawa.

I think it’s important that we do get our message to not only the MPs or the Prime Minister but also the Senators by way of influencing them on issues that we’re trying to deal with. I think we have some big challenges, especially with the devolution file being where it’s at.

Again, I would like to ask the Premier if he has spoken to our Senator. Will he be meeting with Senator...

Schedule 2, Capital Investment Expenditures, Legislative Assembly, appropriation authority required: $540,000.

Schedule 2, Capital Investment Expenditures, Legislative Assembly, $540,000 approved.

Under detail, Schedule 1, Operations Expenditures, Legislative Assembly, appropriation authorized request: $4.927 million.

Schedule 1, Operations Expenditures, Legislative Assembly, $4,927,000 approved.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier, and it’s in light of my statement. There is a Senate committee which is studying rural poverty in the northern territories. They are in the Yukon on Monday; they’re here in Yellowknife on Tuesday and Wednesday; then they’re going to Iqaluit on Thursday.

I think it’s important, Mr. Speaker, that we as government intervene and also have a say in regard to what — especially with the cost of living in the Northwest Territories for our residents, especially in rural parts of the territories, and realizing that part of our deficit situation is just that:...

Page 5, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, appropriation authority required: $27,623,000.

Environment and Natural Resources, $27,623,000 approved.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Welcome to your witness.

General comments in regard to the Minister’s opening statement. Mrs. Groenewegen.