Michael Miltenberger

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 3, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, be read for the first time.

I’m hopeful at this juncture that there will be a discussion between the Yellowknives, Chief Sangris, and the deputy minister and we’ll see if we can come to a meeting of the minds.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act, be read for the first time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we did the review of ENR’s budget, the Member for Weledeh raised the issue about the handling fee. At that point I indicated that, yes, we will look at that and, yes, we will look at suggestions similar to those made by the Member for Frame Lake about possible additional cross-levies on pop or alcohol.

I think we would all agree that having a healthy environment and having healthy families and children are two very compatible goals and we intend to make sure that we maintain both initiatives.

I have heard very clearly what the Members are saying. I just reiterate...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That process is underway. In fact, I’ve been involved in some communications this afternoon about that very issue and there’s been contact with the Yellowknives and the deputy. I am hopeful there will be a re-engagement and we’ll be able to show some progress here in the near future. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Status Report to December 2009, Environment and Natural Resources Framework for Action 2008-2012. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document titled Today’s Resources, Tomorrow’s Legacy: NWT Heritage Fund Public Consultation, February 2010.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have put an offer to the Yellowknives. We have also, as I’ve indicated to the Member previously in the last session, had discussions with the Dene Nation about a possible process. Both those cases we are waiting for feedback on to see if we can move ahead as we move into the ninth week of the protection of the Bathurst herd.

We are looking to -- and I’m sure both parties would like to resolve this particular issue -- the deputy minister was going to in fact get back in touch with the Yellowknives, now that the Olympics are over and everybody is back in business, to see what possible next steps might be there in the minds of the Yellowknives.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. David Ramsay on February 23, 2010, regarding the rationale for contract to facilitate a basic accounting course.

In 2008 the government was in the initial stages of implementing its new financial information system. It became apparent that financial staff across the GNWT would need an increased level of understanding of basic accounting concepts to operate the new system. A review of various basic entry-level accounting training programs and services being offered, particularly in the North, was conducted. This included offerings...