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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Bill Braden is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 2007, as MLA for Great Slave

Won his last election, in 2003, with 65% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Yellowknife Members' Constituency Meeting March 20th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I too would like to highlight the concerns raised last evening in the Great Hall at our constituency meeting, attended by six of the seven Yellowknife MLAs. Mr. Bell has already given us a very thorough review of a number of the points, but there were two or three that I would like to highlight.

Mary Kosta, in her 22nd day of a hunger strike who, along with the Canadian Autoworkers' Local, is working so hard on behalf of Giant Mine pensioners to secure a fair and just entitlement. Highlighting, in a very passionate way, the unfair treatment and deplorable position Giant Mine pensioners, widows, retirees and former employees are in, who have not received severance pay are in.

She has asked us to put forth a motion calling on the federal government to provide immediate relief of Giant Mine pensioners and laid off workers. I should add that many MLAs have written to federal ministers seeking an immediate remedy to this unjust treatment. In the longer term, this House, Mr. Speaker, needs to seek control of legislation which affects not only our resources, but our workers, so that pensioners of the future can also be assured fair and just treatment in an accountable system of government.

The need for a vision and a plan of where we want to go in this Assembly over the next five to 15 years was also raised in relation to devolution of programs and the transfer of authority and responsibility of resources from the federal government. Caucus continues to work on this vision. We must remember that it has to be inclusive of many to be successful. We have been preoccupied, Mr. Speaker, with economic, development and fiscal issues, but we were reminded last night that we also have an obligation and an expectation on the broadest possible scale, to develop a caring and fair-minded society.

We heard from representatives of the non-government organizations, Mr. Speaker. There is a heavy burden placed on the social safety net in Yellowknife as a result of sexual and spousal assaults, gender issues, lack of self-esteem, and many other social ills. We value the efforts and the energy of the people behind these community support group efforts, Mr. Speaker, and we continue to press for the kinds of things that they want to achieve.

Motion 11-14(2): Extended Adjournment (carried) February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when this House adjourns on Tuesday, February 29, 2000, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, March 21, 2000;

AND FURTHER, that any time prior to March 21, 2000, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and 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.

Motion 10-14(2): Pipeline Development (carried) February 28th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you.

Motion 11-14(2): Extended Adjournment February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, March 2, 2000, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when this House adjourns on Tuesday, February 29, 2000, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, March 21, 2000.

And further, that any time prior to March 21, 2000, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and 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.

At the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Release Of The Federal Budget February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my comment this afternoon is related to the release of the federal budget for the year 2000-2001. I must confess some envy when I consider the full range of choices the Government of Canada had when they were establishing their budget. These choices are currently not available to the governments in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, Canada used the fiscal choices of strategic investments in new programs, enhancing existing programs, reducing the tax burden, targeting tax cuts to those most in need, and reducing the overall government debt. In fact, they were able to use all of these options in shaping their budget. These are tools Members of this House can only dream about at the present time.

The Government of Canada used many of these tools to deliver a budget that benefits Canadians, Northerners included. Businesses, students and families will all see some benefit. The budget seems to have failed to recognize, Mr. Speaker, at least one of the immediate needs of the Northwest Territories - new infrastructure development to improve our roads and inject other new capital into the Northwest Territories.

All northern leaders need to resolve to unify their actions and bring control of northern resources home. We need to focus on the signal given last month by Mr. Robert Nault, the Minister for DIAND, that Ottawa is prepared to work to that end.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day when our own Minister responsible for Finance can rise in this House and deliver a budget that uses all of the fiscal tools available to other governments in this country. We want the independence to do the right thing for the people of the Northwest Territories. It is time we had options and choices similar to other governments in this country. It is time for the Northern Accord. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters February 25th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like an explanation for this item, funding to record a grant in kind. Could the Minister please explain that process? Thank you.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters February 25th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am wondering if the Minister could advise whether this $150,000 would be an ongoing human resources cost to administer a new system, or is this a one-time expenditure to basically set something up? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Question 51-14(2): Reconstruction Of Highway No. 3 February 24th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is; will the department look at other financing options if viable plans are brought to the table?

Question 51-14(2): Reconstruction Of Highway No. 3 February 24th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to address the Minister of Transportation and see if we could explore the issue he raised at the end of his last return. Where can other sources of funding come from?

The five-year plan he just mentioned is indeed a ray of new insight on this very pressing issue. We had believed there was going to be a ten-year plan. That is really a long-term solution. Mr. Speaker, five years is something that seems much more achievable. Is the federal budget and the federal caucus the only option the department is looking at for more resources? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 42-14(2): Administration Of Student Financial Assistance Program February 24th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the technical nature of the question and the detail involved. The Minister has mentioned a website. I am wondering if a 1-800 number is also something that can be part of the toolbox he is looking at? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.