Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question here, as well, on the laboratory information system replacement. I mentioned in my opening remarks that I questioned that this is a project that is urgent. Could I get a timeline for this project? I know that these funds, there are some funds being asked for in this supplementary appropriation, there are some funds which are being suggested for next year’s capital budget and, I believe, the year after, but I wonder if I could get an explanation of the timeline for the project, when it’s intended to start, what the urgency is to get started, you know...

Thanks to the Minister. I appreciate you’re making progress. Could I have a little more definitive answer as to what kind of progress, is it anywhere near completion or fruition or decision time? When might we see this particular initiative actually on the ground? Thank you.

I do understand. I guess I just have difficulty… I’m still having difficulty understanding why the construction needs to be in this next infrastructure budget which will come up this fall. Can it not wait another year? Thank you.

Thanks, Mr. Chair, that’s all I have.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My apologies for missing the page earlier, but I’d like to ask the same question I asked earlier with regard to the planning study for owned versus leased office space in Yellowknife. I do agree that the study needs to be done. My question basically has to do with why this particular expense is so urgent that it needs to be included in a supplementary appropriation, why it can’t wait until our next infrastructure budget. Thank you.

I would just like to follow up. I appreciate that this is something we have to do in conjunction with the federal government, that we do need their funding but I guess I would suggest that there ought to be a target date for various communities that don’t currently have RCMP and we may not meet those targets, they may have to be amended but my personal view would be that we should have the communities listed and a target date for RCMP within those communities and that is what we are aiming for, so I would encourage the Minister to do that. Thank you. That’s all.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I did have a question here. I just have to find it. Sorry; I can’t find my question, that’s okay.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I mentioned in my general remarks that I was looking for some information that the schedule the department has to increase RCMP in the communities with, currently don’t have a police presence. I think some of it goes to special constables or community constables. So if the Minister could cover both of those areas in his response, that would be helpful. Thank you.

I have to thank the Minister for that information. The first time around, I didn’t hear anything about a facilitator, and that changes hugely my vision of what’s going to happen in these stakeholder meetings. That a facilitator will present the information will have a much different impact on the people that are there, and I think it will allow them to provide the kind of input that Members and, I think, the public are looking for.

The other thing that’s noted, in terms of consultation, is a discussion paper. I’d like to ask the Minister how the department intends to generate input through this...

Just a follow-up question. Is return of service agreements one of the areas that is being considered? I gather it works reasonably well within the Department of Health and Social Services. Thank you.