Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 27-17(3), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2012-2013, and would like to report progress. I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. General comments. Seeing no general comments, we’re ready to move to the detail. I’ll ask the Members to turn their attention please to the Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2012-2013, and turn to page 3 of the document. The Department of Finance, operations expenditures, deputy minister’s office, not previously authorized, $250,000. Total department. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. I’ve heard the sleight of hand phrase used several times in the House in last few weeks, and I think it really borders on unparliamentary because of the insinuation that might be imputing a motive about that, so maybe we should just be careful about the sleight of hand. Fancy footwork sounds a lot nicer. Minister Miltenberger.

The website is one way. There’s also a 1-800 number to call for an update. The Minister says that he expects it would happen. We would like to know that it is going to happen, because again, for years when I travelled on that road, the only way to really find out what was going on at Fort Providence was to call Big River Service Station in Fort Providence. That was the only really current information you could get about what was going on there. Could the Minister confirm he expects it would happen on weekends? Can the Minister confirm that there is somebody employed to ensure that information...

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard, for that comment. Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, operations expenditures, activity, public safety, not previously authorized, $200,000, total department not previously authorized, $200,000.

Yes, it is. Would you like to respond to Mr. Bromley? I am giving you an opportunity to do that.

Does committee agree?

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Minister Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Transportation. In recent years we’ve deployed some modern equipment and means to keep the travelling public informed of current circumstances that would affect their travel plans. Constituents can access websites updating ferry and ice conditions. This was also provided by way of solar-powered road signs alerting travellers of everything from bison on the road to load limits on ice crossings.

Recently, a constituent, well actually, I’ll just say it was my husband, drove all the way – he’s actually Mr. Bouchard’s constituent –...

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Mr. Menicoche.