Thank you. General Comments. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

General Comments

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to speak on what appears to be going on here with regard to Arctic Colleges. I am not sure whether the department has a strategy in place for determining which buildings need renovations and what priority has been listed for the buildings of Arctic College in the Northwest Territories. But it appears that with the recommendations that we have just passed, there is a requirement for a strategy for museums, churches and other historical buildings which will directly affect at least one of the projects in my community. Yet, one particular motion was to fast track the building of a school.

Now, I do not see how we, as a committee, are being fair when we are not asking for such a strategy from the department for schools, Arctic College's buildings and, on the other hand, are asking for a strategy on historical buildings. I do not see how we, as a committee, can see that as being fair. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. General Comments. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Chairman, I did not intend to make any comments but I am getting tired of the comments made on this side of the House that are not thoroughly researched are brought into this House and the continual criticism whether it is to the committee or Members. Mr. Chairman, I know the Standing Committee on Finance and being a Member of the Standing Committee on Finance, I did ask the Minister last year in the Capital Estimates to develop a plan for Arctic College and a strategy. I am fully aware of it because the Arctic College applied arts building was deleted from last year's budget which my constituency had been deprived of and sacrificed because a plan was needed. And I do not feel it is fair that we should be alleged not to ask for a plan on one hand, when the research has not been thoroughly checked. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. General Comments. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As a committee, we have received some recommendations that are made in this House and I would like to point out some adverbs that are used in some of these recommendations pertaining to the particular communities. I will not name names, but I will name communities in which recommendations are made at this point: Nahanni Butte, the verb used was "advanced", Fort Providence "remove"; Snare Lake "advance"; Yellowknife Centre "defer"; Rae/Edzo "advance"; Jean Marie River "reinstate";

Wrigley "identify funding"; Fort Smith "fast track"; Iqaluit "remove"; Baker Lake "defer"; Norman Wells "defer"...

Point Of Order

Mr. Chairman, I call a point of order, asking whether the general comments are pertaining to this particular department's budget which, I believe, is the opportunity for us to make general comments. Thank you.

A point of order. That is correct. And that is where they are going to be general comments and if you want the names after we start dealing with the line-by-line, then you may do so. General comments. Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Chairman, I agree with the motion and one of the reasons is that Members should take the time to do a bit of lobbying, a bit of research, a bit if, looking at the options of how to maybe get the support of the Members on certain projects. I have been for the last three years lobbying the Ministers, lobbying this Assembly, individual Members, and we have come up with a cost of about $160,000. The government has come up with $25,000. That means that there is a shortfall of at least $130,000 that is still required. But it is not in the Capital Estimates. There is nothing in there for Fort Providence as far as the church goes. There was a one-time contribution of $25,000 and I appreciate that. But, at the same time, we do have new or historical buildings that are being identified for restoration and renovations and for visitors' centres. I am disappointed that is all Providence will be getting and I accept the Standing Committee's recommendation that, yes, the government should develop a policy. We do not have anything in place right now and I am sure even though there is not anything this year for the old church in Fort Providence, I could live with having a delay. I mean there is nothing in there for me to delay anyway, for Providence, but I do believe there should be a policy in place so that, if there was a policy then I would think the committee would be able to jump to the opportunity to maybe access some money for historical buildings or churches. Thank you.

Thank you. General Comments. Mr. Todd.

I think it is important to point out that the projects that the Standing Committee on Finance has asked to be moved ahead really are basic infrastructure projects: water supply; roads; schools; not luxury items like museums, visitors' centres. I just wanted to point that out Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. General Comments. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

I would just like to add to what I was saying earlier, that the kind of research that is being suggested should be done for all departments and it should be fair in that way. I agree with that, research has to be done, that studies or strategies have to be formed, but I think in the case that I am raising for Baker Lake there are jobs being created. I think this is another area which has to be addressed in any strategy that is formed regardless of whether they are considered luxury items or other items. They are still creating jobs in the communities, especially where they are really needed and this is why I am speaking out. Mr. Chairman, thank you.

Thank you. General comments? Does the committee agree that we go line by line?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Advanced Education

Thank you. Page 16-9, detail of capital, advanced education, buildings and works, headquarters, total region $325,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Fort Smith, total region $620,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Inuvik, total region $875,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Baffin, total region $1.010 million. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Keewatin, total region $1.360. Agreed?