Michael Miltenberger

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This issue of regulatory reform and changes to the process have been under discussion now for many years. Our request to the government, to Minister Duncan, has been that there be no changes initiated now that we’ve signed the agreement-in-principle so that the devolution process can take place, and then at that point, once there’s been a transfer, if there are changes necessary to sign on by Northerners, that Northerners would have that right and authority to make those changes, whatever they may be, should it be so determined by Northerners.

I’ll commit to have a discussion with the members of the Financial Management Board to look at what might be possible in terms of trying to meet the request from the Member. Thank you.

Once again, some of those services are available usually at the larger centres, the health centres, the larger facilities, the long-term care facilities. The issue of translators in the small communities is more problematic. Once again, if the front-line staff is experienced and from the region, it’s a different issue than if they are just in town for a few weeks. The Member, once again, raises an issue where we don’t have the complete solution. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that we extend sitting hours to conclude the item currently before committee.

We share the urgency of the Member in terms of resolving this issue. The capital plan for next year is $75 million for the whole Government of the Northwest Territories. The majority of that money is already subscribed to with multi-year programs. I agree we need to have this issue resolved. We’re working with the Department of Finance, the federal Department of Finance, and the Premier will be taking the opportunity when he meets with the Prime Minister here on Thursday to raise the issue, as well, to impress upon him the urgency of this and that the North stands ready to invest in a lot of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is the intent, recognizing, of course, as the Member pointed out along with other MLAs, that one of the challenges is the rapid turnover in staff and often the use of locums or casual nurses. It is a challenge.

I appreciate the Member’s comments and feedback. I intend to follow up with the board chair and the deputy minister. Thank you.

As we develop the regulations around the fund, the issue of the investment guidelines in terms of not only being conservative but if there is the will to look at investment in ethical funds if those funds exist, those funds are available and that can easily be built in. I wasn’t quite clear on the whole comment the Member made about bonds, but once again going forward all this information will be available to the 17th Assembly. The 17th Assembly will decide on how this fund is to be fleshed out and if it’s to be invested in and where the money is going to come from and how the investments will...

I will follow up, as I’ve already committed to, and I would point out, as well, that we have very many campaigns about patients’ rights, about the right to know, to take part and know what’s happening with your own care. We’ve got initiatives on healthy living, Get Active. We’ve been pushing people on personal choices to deal with lifestyle, eating, drinking, don’t abuse alcohol, don’t smoke, get some exercise would go a long way to promoting better health in our communities. All those things are ongoing, but I will pass on the urgency of the situation that has been raised here by a number of...

Going back to 1995 in the last century pre division, since that time of the four Assemblies I’ve been in there’s always, during the course of the Assemblies, the issue of resource tax and mineral tax has come up. It’s been discussed, it’s been sort of like looking at a new car. You kick the tires, you examine it, but at the end of the day the decision has always been not to proceed. So the 17th Assembly will have the same authorities and rights that every other Assembly has had before it to look at how it wants to set up its budget, how it wants to deal with the revenue side. So they will be...