I heard part of what he said and he was referring to baby seals. Obviously, that’s not a big issue with baby seals up here. It’s a different way of harvesting, but it would probably be more effective.

Mr. Cherry, when he was asked about it, didn’t apologize. He just said that he was thinking out loud or something to that effect and it’s probably better if we wrote to the guys that pay his salary to complain about it. Every time he comes on, turn your TV off. Thank you.

---Laughter

Really good suggestion by the Premier. Every time Don Cherry gets on, turn the TV off for about 30 seconds or so. That sends a strong signal.

This is an indication of people in southern Canada, how they look possibly at the views of Aboriginal people, a small segment possibly of that, but it still tells you in today’s world of the educating of our way of life, why it sometimes doesn’t quite fit the southern mentality of how we live.

So, again, I would ask if the Premier would be able to look at the possibility of writing to the people who sign his paycheque, if he could look at issuing an apology to the people that he offended.

I’ll be in contact with others in the fur industry that we interact with and we’ll take appropriate action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Colleagues, I’m going to call a 15-minute recess.

---SHORT RECESS

Item 11, replies to budget address. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to thank the many fine folks we have working for our public service who have dedicated many hours of effort to bring forth our last budget of the 17th Legislative Assembly. Your hard work is definitely a reflection of the polished product we have before the House and it is important that this House respects this. So, thank you from all of us from the Assembly.

Sometimes we forget, and it is worth noting, the budget is not just an expression of numbers but an

expression of our values and unique culture, a culture that everyone in this room cherishes and holds true. For the past few days, many of my colleagues have offered their initial observations to the budget and the opening address of our Minister of Finance. It is clear, even in these early days, there are obstacles before us, there are doubters among us, there will be mistakes uncovered, but I am confident, when the dust settles, there is no limit to what we can achieve if we work together.

So for today, when addressing the budget address at a high level, I believe simplicity is the key. Keeping this theme in mind, I decided that it is only right that I identify the top 10 highlights that describe the last budget of the 17th Legislative

Assembly and how historians may judge us. With that, here are those top 10 highlights from the office of Range Lake.

10. If one is approaching the fiscal edge of a cliff,

check for flat tires.

9. Don’t tell me; show me you can handle more

debt.

8. A plan or strategy without an investment is

merely a fairy tale, so please stop with the perpetual planning and frameworks of inaction.

7. Our number one control of expenses is wage

dollars, then right size, not downsize, your GNWT workforce.

6. The plan was devolution then evolution. So

what is the plan when there is a revolution?

5. If one says we need to make sure our

expenditures grow in line with our revenues, please check your math, because four to one is not one to one unless you are the graduate of our ECD Discover Math Program.

4. If we borrow, we must repay. Then please

specify who is co-signing your credit card application forms when you leave.

3. If we rolled up 5,000 kilometres of red tape 310

days ago, then why the spray painted F on our 2015 report card? You can table your response in the House when completing the following 12 department questionnaires.

2. We have the only Finance Minister in Canada

that can crosshair caribou herd management and people management with the same ready, aim, fire trigger analogy.

1. The number one highlight that describes the last

budget of the 17th Legislative Assembly, the

Finance Minister is always quick to count the days we have left. We say, just don’t count the days, be a good Minister and make them count.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, thanks for allowing me to bring my top 10 list today before the House. It is utterly important that we start to make sure that the taxpayer is getting value for their budget dollar. We

own them no less. The world is living in economic fear and the North is not immune. We need to break the cycle of fear for our residents and businesses, and this can only be achieved with calculated vision and good economic medicine.

Now, Mr. Speaker, through you, I turn my attention to the Minister of Finance and, in the spirit of Mr. DiCaprio, I say, Mr. Minister, sell me this budget. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. 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. Item 17, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 18, motions. Item 19, first reading of bills. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Bill 44 has had first reading.

---Carried

Item 20, second reading of bills. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Borrowing Authorization Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill increases the amounts that may be borrowed by the Commissioner to ensure the Consolidated Revenue Fund is sufficient to meet lawful disbursements. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question has been called. Bill 43 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.

---Carried

Item 21, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 188-17(5), Northwest Territories Main Estimates 2015-2016; Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Jury Act; and Bill 41, An Act to Amend the Partnership Act, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to continue with consideration of Tabled Document 188-17(5). We would like consider and conclude general comments and then get on to the departments of Human Resources and Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, time permitting. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Does committee agree?

Agreed. We will resume with general comments on the whole budget. Oh, I’m sorry. Mr. Miltenberger would you like to bring the witnesses into the Chamber?

Yes, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Does committee agree?

Agreed. I will ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort the witnesses to the table.

Mr. Miltenberger, for the record, would you please introduce your witness.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have with me today Mr. Mike Aumond, deputy minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. We will resume with the people who were on the list to make general comments. First I have Mr. Blake.