David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Getting back to my Member’s statement, I have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, who happens to be the Minister responsible for consumer protection.

It’s come to my attention from a constituent about calling cards which are sold in the Northwest Territories that do not allow the same level of service for a similar card, an exact same card sold in southern Canada. In fact, there’s a 25 cent surcharge tacked on to the minutes for using these cards. I’d like to ask the Minister if he knows why calling cards in the Northwest Territories sold at...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. To my right is Gay Kennedy, acting Chief Electoral Officer for the Northwest Territories; and, to my left is Mr Mark Aitken, director, legislation division, Department of Justice. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to be here to represent this bill. This bill proposes various amendments to the Elections and Plebiscites Act.

These amendments are the result of considerable discussion. We started with a review of the CEO’s report on the administration of the general election of 2007. That report was reviewed by the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. During that review, all the candidates, their official agents and the returning officers were asked for their views and concerns about changes for the next general election. In addition to their consideration...

I think if there’s one company charging a 25 cent surcharge on any call originating in the Northwest Territories, to me that’s called a monopoly. I don’t know what other word to use. Doesn’t our government have an obligation to go to bat for our residents when it comes to one company charging 25 cents a minute for people to call their loved ones overseas? I’d like to ask the Minister -- I know he said his officials are looking into this -- when might we be able to hear back from consumer protection on what the government’s next move might be? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to bring up an issue today that has been brought up to me by constituents. Yellowknife is a very culturally diverse city. Our population of Filipinos, Japanese, Somalis, Chinese and other immigrant populations continues to flourish. I like to refer to Yellowknife as a cultural mosaic when describing it to those unfamiliar with our capital city. In my travels to communities like Hay River and Inuvik, you can also see the changes in the cultural dynamics of those two towns.

When making the decision to move to Canada, families can, and do, get separated by thousands...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m just wondering on the North Slave Correctional Centre, the flooring replacement, that building is not that old. It’s coming on eight years, I suppose. Why would we be needing to replace the floor for $141,000? I guess the second question would be why couldn’t what would be a project that you think would get done in one year couldn’t get done? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to comment briefly on the $135.9 million in carry-overs for infrastructure projects. I’ve given the government credit in the past for its infrastructure plan and the new way it looks at capital projects. Maybe what I’m really looking for is a comment from the government on this. Even at 34 percent, it’s still a large number that we’re looking at carrying over. It’s $136 million. I’m just wondering if we have a game plan going forward. I know we’re going to revert back to more historic numbers a couple years from now and that’s $75 million a year in...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just had a question on the million dollar investment with the partnership program with Wilfred Laurier. The question I have is: there has been a lot of research done in the Northwest Territories. Now, the question of ownership, who owns that knowledge at the end of the day I think is important to know. I just maybe would like to ask a question of the government. Who is ultimately going to own the report or the knowledge that is gleaned from this research work that is going to be done? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a question on the first one and that’s $1.093 million for additional costs to incur as a result of the collective agreement between Hay River Health and Social Services Authority and the Public Service Alliance of Canada. I’m just wondering if the government has any plans going forward to bring those employees under the authority of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Currently they are outside of the other employees and I’m just wondering, seeing as we’re spending another over $1 million, I’m just wondering if anybody has a time frame on when that might...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya, that Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act, No. 3, be read for the second time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Elections and Plebiscite Act to implement recommendations of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures following up on its review of the report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the administration of the 2007 General Election.