Tom Beaulieu

Can the Minister tell us when he can provide cross government details on budgets and what is being planned for the various departments under the energy initiatives? When can the Minister provide some of that detail?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I talked about some energy alternatives for the residents of Tu Nedhe. I’d like to ask the Minister of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, Mr. Bob McLeod, some questions.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell this House: are there any plans under the energy program to provide assistance to our residents for this winter?

On the negative supps for Education and Culture for $10.272 million I’m assuming that that is going to be treated like the other negative supps and returned back in ’09–10, that same amount, and then the positive supp of $3.750 million on careers, which leaves a net balance of $6.552 million. I was wondering how that’s handled. Considering the whole page, it looks like a negative supp, but if $10 million is going to be put back in, this is an actual supplementary appropriation of $3.75 million. I was just wondering if I could get a brief explanation on that accounting function that’s going to...

A quick, final question. I was wondering if the Minister could commit to passing information on about the new schedule and scope of work for repairs to Highway No. 6 to me as soon as possible so I can pass the information on to my constituents.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I spoke about repairs to Highway No. 6. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation why the repairs to at least the worst sections of Highway No. 6 are not being done when $1 million is set aside specifically for this work this summer.

I actually had one question on page 12. I’m okay with asking him. I’m pretty sure that the Minister will be able to answer the question without the other witness. It shouldn’t be a problem.

Mr. Speaker, in speaking with a former long term highway employee and contractor, I was told that it could take as little as three weeks to do the work and repairs, repairing the worst section of the highway once equipment is mobilized. I was wondering if the Minister could take the initiative to try to get the work started as soon as possible.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided].

Today I’d like to talk about the slow response by the Department of Transportation regarding issues raised by residents of Fort Resolution for repair and reconstruction of Highway No. 6.

Mr. Speaker, I first raised this issue last February by asking the former Minister of Transportation questions about repairs and future plans for Highway No. 6. The Minister committed to allocating $1 million of repair work to be carried out this summer. The condition in this section of highway is worse than when I first raised the issue last winter. We...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if Cabinet examined the negative impact on the cost of living and employment of our citizens as far as looking at other jurisdictions to determine whether additional taxing is the way to go.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I talked about the impact and effect the high cost of living is having on families in the smaller communities. I also talked a bit about the proposed taxes and how they can also impact their efforts to make a better living for themselves.

I’d like to ask either the Premier or the Minister of Finance if, while looking at options, the Minister or Premier, the Cabinet, has considered the impact of taxing our citizens, as far as retaining those families in the Northwest Territories.