Julie Green

Mr. Minister, this question has to do with the project rolling forward. Obviously there will be a presentation of plans when those are available, and I'm wondering if there's any chance we can see them in the coming year's budget.

Thank you to the Minister for that. I didn't say that the roads were without benefits of their own, but rather what I'm looking for is this business case and so I don't feel like I have that yet. When the Finance Minister considers how funds should be allocated for roads rather than housing, how does Finance determine the greater advantage of one over the other?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm asking my questions of the Minister of Finance because the policy of favouring road infrastructure over social infrastructure is a matter of financial and political philosophy. Permit applications have been filed for a possible construction of an all-season road to Whati. Given the size of this project, I can only hope the detailed cost-benefit analysis has been created to quantify benefits and returns. Has a cost-benefit analysis been completed and if so, will the Minister table this document for all Members and the public to evaluate? Thank you, Mr...

That's my mother. I have no further comments, thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Minister just said they could support it in other ways. I'm wondering what those look like.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I noticed recently that ministerial staff have started to describe themselves as special advisors. I am wondering if that is just a title change or whether there are other implications to that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I wonder if I could have some detail about the grant to the NWT Literacy Council which happened two fiscal years ago and was then discontinued. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I'm wondering, I see here that there is a plan to improve communications. I'm wondering if all four of those positions that are being created in the Executive are to support this open government plan or whether they have other duties as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Finance would like us to buy into the need for a $150-million operating surplus to spend on infrastructure. Housing is not listed in that list in yesterday's budget but roads are. What I'm looking for is some justification, some quantification of the benefits of this road, and I'm wondering at what point in this process that that will be produced. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, my question is whether there is a cost-benefit analysis available on the proposed road to Whati and, if so, if it could be tabled here?