No, Mr. Chairman. At this time I would like to give this report to Mr. Steen, my colleague.

I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs direct that the annual call for capital projects from the Premier's office be sent as soon as possible after March 31st each year and require responses from the community regarding any revisions or additions before June 20th. If responses are not received by the deadline, funding priorities should remain the same and the Five-Year Capital Plan be adhered to. If either the government or the community makes any revisions, they should be fully substantiated. This committee supports the Auditor General's recommendation that the current Capital Standards and Criteria be reviewed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Motion No. 11.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Motion No. 10. I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs be the coordinating body for the GNWT Capital Allocation Process to prevent duplication of requests, provide a centralized agency responsible for the provision of capital planning information and establish a one-stop process for municipalities requesting capital projects. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Committee Review of the Report of the Auditor General on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, section 4, Capital Allocation Process.

Careful analysis of the costs and benefits of the existing Capital Allocation Process is key to informed and responsive needs management. It is vital that the relevance and cost of proposed capital projects to the GNWT and the municipality are accurately assessed. It is equally important that the evaluation and allocation process is independent of the bureaucracy that has access to it.

Although movement toward a more efficient allocation process will hopefully be underway, committee Members stress the severe resource constraints and the public demands for greater accountability in the allocation process. However, the committee observes that there may be a lack of commitment to a more responsive and accountable Capital Allocation Process at the bureaucratic level. In the committee's view, a culture of effective responsiveness and accountability is not in place.

Part of the dissatisfaction stems from the poor timing of the call letter from the Premier's office for revisions to the capital plan. By the time the letter is received and replied to, there is not enough time to affect the recommended revisions. With the short construction season and limited transportation infrastructure, it becomes impossible to procure and transport material to the municipality. In many communities, barging is the only economically viable means of transporting cargo. Cargo must be prebooked, has a limited travel schedule and is operated only in late spring and summer.

In the committee's review, there has not been enough attention to the quality and timeliness of information and the need for objectivity and independence in the implementation of the Capital Allocation Process. At times, the political component dominates. The process needs to better serve the municipalities' requirements.

At this time, Mr. Chairman, I have a motion.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Committee Report 08-13(5) and Bill 5. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, my written question will be directed to the Minister of Economic Development.

Agriculture Issues in Hay River:

1. Concerning the pig farm in Hay River:

Has the Economic Development done anything to stop removal of the siding of the barn, which is a major asset of the farm?

2. Concerning the dead chickens that were buried not far from the Hay River:

Who is looking after the cleanup of those dead chickens?

3. Why is it taking two years and nothing has been done? With the burial of these dead chickens close to the river, there is a risk of contaminating the source of water to the following communities: Town of Hay River, Kakisa Lake, Enterprise and some areas outside of Fort Smith.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do have a concern on lump sum payments. Mr. Speaker, the lump sum payment is going to be a one time payment only to the seniors. Why not divide it into weekly payments because they are going to get one whole pay cheque? Why not divide it so that seniors will get cheques every week? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, why is there a lump sum payment to these seniors in the small communities? Because in small communities, a lump sum payment is not acceptable. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister make weekly payments to these seniors? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.