Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This model, the Tlicho model, is not one that’s necessarily one that’s based on ethnicity or having homogeneousness to the population. We recognize that there are unique characteristics in every region. What we’re talking about is a governance structure that has applicability. We believe, where we currently have regional boards of governance now in every region, either one or two, dealing with education and health, we believe that we could integrate the current...use the current board structure, expand the scope and integrate the program delivery oversight into that...

There are a number of options. If the intent is to have further and greater consultation within a specific time frame, there are committees in the past that this Legislature has struck special committees for different things with a specific budget and timeline and clear mandate to go out and do business, which is one way this Legislature has to take that matter into this Legislature. The mandate and all those things would be worked out is one option that comes most immediately to mind as I stand here.

Mr. Speaker, I would respectfully disagree that there wasn’t enough work or research done. It may not meet the regular standards that the Member had in mind, but we did enough, in our opinion, to move forward with a model. We decided to pick a model that already had a track record in the North that looked to hit a lot of what we would see as key points and abilities to build, to integrate service, to be able to streamline governance, streamline finance and administration, look at the ability to do better work on the case management approach. Based on those factors, a decision was made to...

Mr. Speaker, once this budget is passed, we will be in a position to look at how we’re going to move forward. We’ve identified in the budget address some examples. It wasn’t a comprehensive detailing of every expenditure in the main estimates. We also recognize that what Deline is proposing is by many standards new technology that’s being developed and in some cases not necessarily proven out for the rigors of use in the North in the river of the size being proposed.

There is a clear interest on the part of the government to look at all the small communities. I said that in the budget address...

Mr. Speaker, the intent was to reference our commitment as a government as a Legislature to alternate energy in the mini-hydro and other alternate uses of energy. We’ve identified Whati and Lutselk’e as communities that there is work that is quite a ways along. We recognize that there are others on the list to come, including Deline and the arrangements that could be made. I talked to the Member about Tulita. So the first focus in the budget reference was some of the ones that were further along in terms of the planning. Thank you.

I’d venture to say that everybody with a computer terminal or a radio or a TV or whatever other means have it tuned into the House. They are watching with great anticipation and bated breath.

We are existing in the worst economic downturn since, they say, the Great Depression. Job numbers today and on the news were 129,000 Canadians lost their jobs in January; 600,000 in the States. Conditions continue to worsen.

Yesterday we tabled a $1.3 billion budget that was a result of months of collective work together; surely a testament to one of the big things that we can do together. But we stand...

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member’s interest and concern. As I’ve indicated, this fund is a brand new fund. Should the budget pass, then we would be in the position to lay out the work plan. The hope is that it’s going to extend past four years. We want to get things on the ground that are far enough along in the planning as we move forward in consultation with communities and with committees and if you look at the next phase of the business planning process, there will be an opportunity to address this plan to reflect all the priorities of this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the fund, $60 million over four years, we mentioned some of the highlights. I’ve had discussions with the Member about the interest of Deline in terms of mini-hydro and the work that’s been done to look at the Bear and the list, as we move forward on mini-hydro over the coming months and years, we want to look at mini-hydro wherever there are possibilities. We also have some good indication, for example, from Good Hope and the Ramparts. That budget address was not exhaustive in its reflection of all the projects and areas where funding is going to be spent. There is going to be, I...

Mr. Speaker, this was a loan for an existing financing arrangement. There was no expansion to the firm. It was not considered anything but that kind of loan agreement and didn’t require a market disruption. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I will commit to bringing the issue to the FMB or the Cabinet, whatever’s the most appropriate for the initial discussions. I will commit to report back to the Member before the end of this session. Thank you.