Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member raises an issue and a source of possible assistance numbering in the thousands. In fact, there have been attempts in the past to come up with ways to engage employees to look at incentives for doing that. That is again being looked at. As well, HR is also looking at whistle-blower legislation.

I agree with the Member that the intent here would be to encourage and reward people for showing initiative and coming forward with good ideas and rewarding people that do that. That is something that is being reconsidered as it has been in the past, but as well there is...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Any opportunity we have to sit down with committee and get their input on how we can conduct our business, how we can improve our business would always be most welcome and if we can, I’m sure we’ll have opportunity between now and business planning process to sit down with committee and get their input. I think it’s something that we would be wise to do before we make our submissions for our next year’s planning.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Member has raised a number of critical points. I would point out that Stanton and Inuvik are acute care facilities and I think there is a direct correlation to the struggles with their costs and the fact that they are running the most expensive health programs that can be offered in the health care system. I would point out, as well, the Member commented that if health was a private business it would out of business. I would suggest to the Member that if he wants to see what would happen with a private business, then he could look south of the border, the 49th...

Yes, Madam Chair.

Yes, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I can give the Member some numbers and if they don’t work, I’ll turn it over to Mr. Kalgutkar.

For a territorial average the budget base rate of power is 53.91 cents per kilowatt. The 2011-2012 rate of cost is 69.72 cents, which is a 15.81 cent variance or 22.617 percent. So there is a difference between what they are budgeted for and what the cost actually is; what they have in their budget.

Maybe I’ll ask Mr. Kalgutkar. I notice you have that look that you want more information. I’ll ask Mr. Kalgutkar maybe to speak further to this.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, I will move that Bill 2, Interim Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2012-2013, be read for the first time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’ve always heard tell that when you’re banging your head against a brick wall the one good thing about it is that it feels so good when you stop.

I appreciate the Member’s concern. We have, as the Member knows, very few new dollars in the budget for alternative energy. We had $60 million. Our fiscal circumstances are such that after the end of this coming month of March that money will be concluded, sunsetted, and we’re now in a position of trying to find some money to continue the many initiatives we have underway in terms of conservation of energy efficiencies...

No, Madam Chair. I just appreciate the Member’s comments.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On a comparative basis if you look across the country, let’s pick one of my favourite provinces just given her size and the magnitude and complexity of the problems they’re dealing with, they’re spending over 45 cents on every dollar on health alone. In this jurisdiction we’re spending about 34 cents of every dollar on health and social services. If you tack on health or tack on all the other social programs, we are spending over 65 cents on every dollar. The growth in social programs is a concern because it limits our ability, but on a comparative basis I would say we...