Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Minister Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the Member’s concerns and comments.

I’d just like to add another project that’s on the list that should help with the cost of living. If we move forward once again with the ability to progress on our alternative energy priorities, the Tuk wind farm, which would be a significant investment, is one of the ones on the top of the list to be done when those resources become available.

I’d also like to suggest that even though it’s not part of this capital plan, there is the housing capital allocation for communities that may be of interest. I’m not sure what’s all in there for the ’09–10 budget, but it would help round off some of the concerns. Many of the concerns raised by Members in regard to the capital plan actually touched on housing, just as an information item.

The other comment is with the infrastructure money to communities. The Member for Nunakput’s

communities will be getting $4.6 million as well for their community needs over the coming year, ’09–10.

To answer, Mr. Minister, $4.6 million is a lot of money. Probably you get that on the interest rate on your $100 million school we’re building. All I’m going to say, again, is that it’s not fair. We’ve got to do something about it. If it wasn’t for the federal monies, I wouldn’t be getting anything. Thank you. That’s all I have to say.

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. I didn’t hear a question. I’ll take it as a comment. Next on my list is Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It’s a question for the Minister. I’m fairly certain that the deferred maintenance program is for buildings only, but just for confirmation I want to know if the GNWT did an evaluation of its buildings, roads and equipment prior to the expenditures for this year, the ’08–09 $5 million expenditures. I was wondering if there was any evaluation done prior to that to determine the cap, to determine where the money got spent.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The initial work on quantifying the deferred maintenance amount was focused on buildings only.

Did the GNWT evaluate its buildings to complete the deferred maintenance programs in order to determine the allocations for this year and future years?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Aumond.

We can share the plan. The ’09–10 plan has already been shared with committee and with Members. As the year is going forward, we can also share as well.

I must have missed that. I didn’t see the deferred maintenance plan, but that’s good. I’ll look forward to getting a copy of the deferred maintenance plan for this year and just look forward to receiving the rest of the plan.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. I didn’t hear a question, more of a comment. Next on my list is Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just had a couple of questions, and they get back to the planning process and how things are signed off.

When we look at negotiated contracts.... There was a bit of an exchange earlier today. I just wanted, I guess, to get some clarity on where in the process a negotiated contract is signed off, when exactly that happens. Maybe the Minister could help me out a little bit.

On a negotiated contract when in the process does that get signed? I’m asking, because earlier today a Minister said that a contract was signed. But if it hasn’t been approved by us, what contract are you signing? What’s it for, and how much is it for?

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Aumond.

What was agreed to last year in terms of capital dollars for the school in Inuvik? Again, I’m not saying we shouldn’t be building a school or anything like that — I don’t want to upset anybody — but how much is that school going to cost us today, and are we still negotiating how much it’s going to cost us? I think that’s a legitimate question. I’d be asking the same question if that school was being built in Yellowknife; trust me.

I’m just having a little bit of trouble understanding, then, because earlier today, I believe, the Minister said that a contract was signed. Specifically, what are they signing? Obviously, it sounds like the negotiations are still ongoing; there hasn’t been approval. When does the approval of the Members of this House come into play? I know we approved some dollars last year, but they’re carried over, and that project still hasn’t proceeded. So what are we signing? Is it a blank cheque?

Was that amount approved by this House, or was that amount approved by Cabinet?

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Minister Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Contracts are always subject to approval by the House.