David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a question for the Premier, and I think it’s important that the Regular Members and the public know, I’d just like to ask the Premier if he has a time estimate on when portfolio assignments will be given out to the new Cabinet? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The only information we got during the life of the last government, we got high-level information on what was happening and really we were only consulted when the government wanted to go ahead and increase the loan guarantee. I certainly think we do need to work together. The information needs to come back and forth. The legislation the Premier in the last government and this government is relying on is only a vehicle to get a bridge built. It’s got no numbers in it. It’s very difficult for us when the government is making decisions, especially on spending, without...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just wondering in terms of costs. Is there a final cost on the Deh Cho Bridge project and the tolls that are going to be associated with this project? Where is the financing after this project, Mr. Speaker? That is the question I have. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier referenced contracts being signed and I know we don't want to go back to work that was done by the last government, but specifically what contracts have been signed and what are the obligations of the Government of the Northwest Territories -- and I'm talking about his government -- what are the obligations his government is going to have going forward on the Deh Cho Bridge project, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

The Members of this House and the people in our communities will be watching closely to see how this all unfolds. The government has to listen to us, Mr. Speaker. We are the voice of the people here in the Northwest Territories.

The last government had some difficulty listening to the Members, the Regular Members of this House, Mr. Speaker. I want this government to pay attention to what the Regular Members of this House have to say, because we do listen to the people that live in our communities and we bring their concerns forward.

I know one thing is for certain: We won't go anywhere...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that the honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Glen Abernethy, and the honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bob Bromley, be appointed as deputy chairpersons of Committee of the Whole. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last government, for all intents and purposes, really didn’t have an even distribution of workload and I’m wondering if the Premier can state today that he’s going to do everything in his power to ensure that there’s an even distribution of workload amongst Cabinet Ministers? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the commitment and the expenditure of public funds, I don’t think there is such a thing as confidential. Let’s be realistic about that. They are public funds. They are going to be expended in an area. I don’t believe that’s confidential, Mr. Speaker. Is the Government of the Northwest Territories past the point of no return on the Deh Cho Bridge? Are we proceeding with the Deh Cho Bridge when we don’t even know what it’s going to cost us? Are we past the point of no return, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to get back to questions on the Deh Cho Bridge project. I wasn’t left with a really good feeling after hearing the Premier talk about how his government is going to operate differently than the last government on providing this House with assurances on how the project is moving along. I am talking about information and information sharing. How is his government going to be any different than the last one, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.