Joe Handley

Mr. Speaker, I can’t tell you how much the government has spent in total in preparation for the pipeline, because all of our departments, almost without exception, have been involved in some way or another. We have all spent time on this issue. As well, Mr. Speaker, it would take a lot of time to pull that kind of information together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, let me say, first of all, that we want the students to continue with their education. We will do whatever we can to make sure that it is possible for them to continue, and for their preschool-aged children to be properly cared for while they’re at classes. Mr. Speaker, the college will help the individuals find a suitable day home. Second, Mr. Speaker, if there is a need for additional resources, then that is something the students should be talking to student financial assistance about and, again, I’m sure the college will be prepared to help them with that, as well. Most...

Mr. Speaker, I don’t know all the details of why young preschoolers in the day care would be eligible if they are missing a day here or there. I don’t understand that. I do know we do fund day cares based on a number of preschoolers, babies who are enrolled, not on the occupancy. If we did that, we might be funding a lot of empty spaces. Mr. Speaker, I will talk with the Minister on this issue. We will get more information, and I certainly agree with the Member that this is a very serious issue and one we will look at very carefully. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I wasn’t sure what the question was, but, Mr. Speaker, the closure of the day care will create a disruption for students who have young children, preschoolers and babies. But, Mr. Speaker, we have to wait for the records, we have to know what is happening with that particular day care before any decision can be made on it. Mr. Speaker, I should say, there are a number of day homes in Fort Smith, and I’m sure the college people would be ready to help any parents who are students in trying to find a suitable day home where their preschoolers and babies can be kept in the interim...

Mr. Speaker, I want to see the financial records first. I am sure the Minister responsible wants to see them first.

Mr. Speaker, we want to have day care spaces where they are needed, and particularly for the students. But, Mr. Speaker, I can say that that day care in Fort Smith gets all of the same per child benefits that any day care gets, plus they get free accommodation, including O and M in one of the buildings there. We are providing as much and probably more than we are for many day cares across the Northwest Territories in this situation.

Mr. Speaker, we want to be careful with what...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Charles Dent will be absent from the House today, tomorrow and Thursday, to attend a federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Social Development meeting in Ottawa. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, let me first say that the report that the Member is referring to is a broad report on the benefits of hydro power and the viability and the potential in the Northwest Territories. There is no stronger advocate of that than myself and our government. The studies I am referring to are specific to the Taltson project. We need to have lot more information there.

Mr. Speaker, as soon as we have the information that is necessary over the next few months, we intend to enter into, what we call, firm power purchase agreements with the mines. Before we do that, we have to make sure that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we would be willing to do that, but we will not interfere unless the community asks us to come in. We will have people, through the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, who will advise them on how the money has to be accounted for. But in terms of setting their priorities, we won’t get involved with that unless they are asking us to help them do it. Of course, if they have questions, we’re always open to answer questions, provide advice, provide help wherever we can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, yes, the money is identified in the supp and will be open for debate at that time. Thank you.

No roads. We don’t want to let this one go by. Mr. Speaker, this project is too important for us to sit by. We are major players in it. Some things we are not directly involved in. For example, on the financial considerations that the industry is dealing with, the federal government is directly involved. But we are being kept informed all the time and we will watch that closely because, in the long run, we are the ones as northerners that will end up paying a large part of that bill. Yes, we are watching all the way along. We are a significant player here. Thank you.