Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is an issue that we all share a frustration and has been voiced as a concern by many of the people that have valid placards. When we find people parking in their stalls it is also quite complicated because this is an area that is dealt with, for the most part, by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Parking and municipal bylaws are under that department. We, as the Department of Transportation have not looked at the possibility of including this as part of our demerit point system and we feel very reluctant. We would probably have to require some change in legislation or possibly diluting our program that is restricted for moving vehicles and vehicle speeding tickets and things of that nature. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, understanding the experience and certainly sharing the frustration is much appreciated. Mr. Speaker, I have seen people sort of challenge these on their own. I know a particular father out there who has a child who is handicapped. They are challenging people face to face who park in handicapped parking. I fear for them because one of these days it is not going to be just two people arguing in a parking lot. We need some type of trepidation that sends a

message. Mr. Speaker, what can the Department of Transportation do at this stage to help sort of build up this issue to make sure it is clear? Demerit points are a clear signal that this is wrong. Rather than saying how we can’t do this, let’s try to turn it around and say, can we find a way to do this? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I’m being very careful, not because I don’t see a need to increase and add to the deterrents that are in place already. I would think the fine of $250 is pretty significant for anybody to be considering parking in one of those stalls. However, this is a responsibility that falls under another department. The Member is asking what I would do for an area that I am not responsible for.

Mr. Speaker, we certainly can commit to having that discussion with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and the City of Yellowknife, if need be, to see what else we can do. At this point, we are not aware of any other jurisdiction that is utilizing demerit points as deterrents. I say again that a $250 fine out of your wallet would be fairly significant. If that is not working, maybe there are other things that can be done, but the demerit points is not something or not an area that we would like to consider as a deterrent. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate the willingness or the lack of willingness that the Minister shows interest on this particular issue beyond the fact he turns around and says I understand the concern, but I am sure $250 makes people worry. Well, Mr. Speaker, it is about upping the ante and sending the correct message that needs to be sent, Mr. Speaker. All we have to do is have the ticket submitted to our process, change a regulation so it reflects that. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister show some national leadership on this particular issue and step forward and say we will see if we could find a way? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, no. We are not going to consider changing legislation to include demerit points for parking violations under the municipal bylaw. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Mr. Speaker, is it because the Minister isn’t interested? Is it an issue that he doesn’t care about, or does he think it is too much of an effort to even put a focus on from the department’s point of view? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, obviously the Member is not listening. I said on two occasions now that it deeply concerns me. I mean that. It is an issue that is outside of my responsibility. We feel that there are other ways to create deterrents if the current fine system is not adequate to do what he is requesting. We don’t feel

that including the lost demerit points is going to do what he is expecting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 8, written questions. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Executive.

1. In regards to the two contracts TD 7-16(4) and

TD 8-16(4), one with the Northern Strategy Group, dated December 21, 2007 and extended August 18, 2008, and the other with John Todd Holdings Ltd., dated January 1, 2008, for each of the contacts:

a) Can the Minister provide an explanation

why these services could not have been supplied by in-house resources?

b) Can the Minister provide copies of the

documentary evidence supplied by the contractor to demonstrate that the contracted services were provided?

c) Can the Minister provide an explanation

why two contractors would be described as “uniquely” able to provide the services, when both contractors were hired to provide services of identical descriptions during overlapping time periods?

Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, replies to budget address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of standing and special committees. Item 14, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 15, tabling of documents. Item 16, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 4, 2010, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on February 4, 2010, it shall be adjourned until Monday, February 8, 2010; and further, that any time prior to February 8, 2010, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and the Members of the Legislative

Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Item 17, notices of motion for first reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for the Workers’; Safety and Compensation Commission, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on February 4, 2010, I will move that Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 18, motions. Item 19, first reading of bills. Item 20, second reading of bills. Item 21, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 2, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2009-2010; Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act; Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Summary Conviction Procedures Act; Tabled Document 62-16(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011; and Minister’s Statement 47-16(4), Transfer of the Public Housing Rental Subsidy, with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. We have several items to deal with: Bill 2, Bill 4, Bill 7, Tabled Document 62-16(4), Minister’s Statement 47-16(4). What is the wish of committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

The wish of the committee today is to continue with general comments on the Department of Health and Social Services and then to hopefully make some progress on the detail of the department. Thank you.

Committee agree?

With that, we’ll take a short break and then begin with Health and Social Services.

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I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. Prior to the break we agreed we’d continue on with the Department of Health and Social Services. With that, at this time, I’d like to ask the Minister if she’d like to bring in any witnesses. Ms. Lee.

Yes, please, Mr. Chairman.

Does committee agree that the witness brings in witnesses?