Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this issue has been on the books, as the Minister has indicated, for a number of years going back to the 14th Assembly. If records were checked, I have clear recollections of discussing this issue and the concerns about not wanting to renovate the existing building because of its age and state of disrepair, and of looking at other options starting way back with potential options of Somba K'e as an example. We did that year after year. Every time we met with committee we reviewed the mains. This year the circumstances were such that there was a decision made in March. The money has always been in the budget, we just carried it over with the clear intention of having a facility that is better suited for the need that it is designed for. There was a decision to be made and a decision made considering a number of factors: program capacity, the government's stated position on decentralization and opportunities to do that. The fact that the program capacity, while slightly better in Yellowknife, it's still clear that Hay River could easily deliver this program. So a decision was made because there was a facility or infrastructure in Hay River that was in better condition with more life expectancy to move the program. At the end of the contract, it's a contract program. With those factors in mind, that's the decision that was made. We have been trying to do this by the Members working with Cabinet so that we do this. It is an issue that has to be dealt with in the right way.
Michael Miltenberger on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on June 1st, 2005. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
June 1st, 2005
Page 167
See context to find out what was said next.