Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister. He leads me right into my next question. Thank you for that.

It’s hard to believe, but I’m sure that staff are soon going to be developing the 2013 operations budget, and I mentioned there are 19 recommendations in

this report. I’d like to know, specific to three recommendations in the report which ask for core funding from the government, will these be considered by GNWT staff as the budget is developed, these three recommendations which ask for core funding.

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

As I have stated, the recommendations, 19 of them in all, will be reviewed by the 17th Assembly and they will have to

decide what they prioritize and would direct to actually be included in that business plan.

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Your final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From my perspective as a Member, if I’m not presented with options to fund these three specific recommendations with core funding, then I can’t vote on them. So I would ask the Minister to seriously consider adding core funding for those programs in the business plan.

Part of the report states the coalition has made great strides to shift attitudes and enhance services to reduce family violence and abuse, and I think it’s been an extremely valuable program. I’d like to know if the Minister can advise, at this point -- and I suspect I’ll get an answer that it’s up to the next Assembly -- but I’d like to know whether or not the Minister feels that the government is committed to following up on the good work that’s been done and making sure that there is a phase three to continue this good work after March of 2012. Thank you.

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct. As we’re talking about 2012 and beyond in the 17th Assembly after it actually goes through

the phase of becoming familiar with what’s on the deck and looking at the initial plans of departments and making recommendations, the work that has been done, we’re going to ensure that the recommendations and the work we’ve done jointly -- because government staff have been involved and part of the team -- will carry forward those recommendations to see what could be adopted. That’s the best I can do at this late stage of our government. Thank you.

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Premier. It’s in regard to my Member’s statement and the importance of dealing with poverty in the North, but more importantly, getting the government to move on an Anti-Poverty Strategy and implementing the strategy and not just look at doing another study.

I’d like to ask the Premier, as the transitional process takes fold, where in the list of items being transferred to the new government and part of the transitional document is the poverty situation in the Northwest Territories. I think it has to be on top of the list. So I’d like to ask the Premier where is the government on the Anti-Poverty Strategy.

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr Krutko. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Anti-Poverty Strategy, the work that’s done and reported to standing committee will be included in that transition process. Thank you.

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. I think it’s more important to find a way to implement our strategy than simply doing strategies, and I think it’s important that we do emphasise the importance of this work, and more importantly, implement it, put it into action and find ways to pull people out of poverty and turn the Northwest Territories economy around. So I’d like to ask the Premier are there any types of investments that are also going to be suggested on where we can find resources to either implement or give the new government an idea of things that they can do to implement this strategy.

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you. Again, the work that’s been done to date is forwarded to committee for a response and carry on, and carried forward to the 17th Assembly. We’re not in a

position to direct the next government to what areas they should be investing in, what areas of priority.

I know many times we, as a government and the many departments that were involved in this work, continue to do this work through existing programs. But for the strategy itself, the work that’s been done and tabled with Members, hopefully early in the life of the 17th Assembly they’ll be able to review those

and decide what they can carry forward. Thank you.

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. Again, I’d like to thank the Premier for that. I know that we can’t sort of impose on the new government, but I think we can strongly suggest or recommend that they seriously consider this as being one of their priorities. So I’d like to ask the Premier, is that something that the government can suggest that they seriously consider this as a top priority of this government to the next government.

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you. Part of our transition planning and work will incorporate quite a number of initiatives that we have started and we’ll be handing off. As the Member is very familiar with, we’ve been through this cycle four times prior, that the new Members will look at their initiatives, their priorities, and I’m sure there will be a number of Members returning and will carry forward with the work that’s been done to date and raise that level of importance at that stage. But it will be a part of the

package. It will have to be up to the 17th Assembly

to decide what their priorities will be. Thank you.

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.