Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m going to just be very quick. Most of my comments and questions will come as we go into detail. Similar to my colleagues, I’m pleased to see the work being done under the Healthy Choices Framework and what’s been done to date on the Aboriginal Student Achievement. I think those are both very good initiatives and I look forward to seeing the information as that comes forward.

It’s going to be no surprise to anybody that I’m happy with the additional support that this government is putting into the arts. I think it’s important from several perspectives. Supporting this...

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Reminding everybody that we’re on page 8-29, community health programs. Any more questions on page 8-29? Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister Lee.

I’d like to thank the Minister for that response. There are other obligations to the ones he’s referring to here today. We have an obligation to all the residents in the Northwest Territories, including the non-Aboriginal hunters who don’t feel that they have a voice in this act.

I know the Minister’s department went out and met with different groups. I’m asking the Minister what he’s going to do, or have his department do, to restore some of the confidence to those people that their voices have been heard. If the department has made changes based on what these groups have said, let’s stand up...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and for the record the Minister is right; I shouldn’t be referring to mismanagement, and also for the record I have nothing but respect for the staff and employees of the GNWT, in particular in health care, social services. I think they have some of the hardest work out there and I have nothing but respect for them and if what I have said has offended them in any way, I apologize and I withdraw that.

Having said that, one person in a program that costs $400,000 means something didn’t happen correctly and ultimately the Minister is responsible for that and the Minister...

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Next on my list is Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The next person on my list is Mr. Yakeleya.

We are moving along to page 8-34, also an information item, Health and Social Services, lease commitments - infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Minister can’t demonstrate this most recent and final round of public consultations had meaningful impact on the final draft and that no substantive changes are being considered as a result, I suggest that this act is not ready to be put before this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.