Question 162-16(2) Yellowknife Rental Housing Market (Ruled Out Of Order)  Mr. Speaker, I’d like to follow up on my Member’s statement with some questions for the Minister of Justice. Considering the very tight rental market in Yellowknife at the moment and considering the rent increases that many of my constituents are facing, can the Minister advise

Question 172-16(2) Rent Increases In City Of Yellowknife  I may be older but you’re obviously wiser, so I will try this again. Laughter.

Question 172-16(2) Rent Increases In City Of Yellowknife  Considering the very tight rental market in Yellowknife at the moment and considering the rent increases that constituents are facing, I would like to ask the Minister whether or not there is anything in current legislation that limits the amount of a rent increase by a landlord.

Question 172-16(2) Rent Increases In City Of Yellowknife  I thank the Minister for his answer. I know that there is nothing in the current legislation that can limit a rent increase, except that there can only be one in any 12-month period. I’d like to know whether or not the Minister can advise if the department, in previous years, h

Question 172-16(2) Rent Increases In City Of Yellowknife  That was, unfortunately, the answer I expected. I know that rent caps are a very controversial issue. The landlords don’t like them; tenants do like them. But it also creates a diversion in the marketplace, and I can understand why they’re not currently in place. However, t

Question 172-16(2) Rent Increases In City Of Yellowknife  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think I heard the Minister say that he’ll consider the idea of an ombudsman’s office, so I’ll repeat the question. Will the Minister agree to look into establishing an ombudsman’s office for the next fiscal year?

Budget Development Process  It’s a relief that, finally, I can talk publicly about the 2008–2009 budget. As a new MLA, the development of this budget has been an interesting and thought-provoking experience but, unfortunately, not one I wish to repeat if the process and the outcomes are the same. Last Dec

Budget Development Process  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. One hundred thirty-five affected positions is not a last resort, in my estimation. I’m left feeling that the government has acted in a high-handed manner: job cuts already in place and funding for programs deleted as of April 1

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery  Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize two fairly distinguished ladies in the gallery today: Lydia Bardak, whose official title is managing director of the John Howard Society and coordinator for Community Justice, Yellowknife, and also a city councillor for the City of Yellowknife;

Tribute To Emergency Service Personnel  Mr. Speaker, I use my Member’s statement today to acknowledge our emergency service personnel, particularly firefighters, both career and volunteer members. As is the case for many of the people who work silently behind the scenes on our behalf, we don’t recognize them nearly eno

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two pages from the riding of Frame Lake: In front of me, Stuart Hamre and then, behind me, Jeanne Yurris. They’ve done a great job. Thank you.

Question 146-16(2) Contract For Water Treatment Plants  I would like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs some questions about the RFP for bundled implementation for the five-community water treatment plants. I know that the Minister advised us yesterday that all is in order, but I am concerned about the process that

Question 146-16(2) Contract For Water Treatment Plants  That seems a little unusual. Why would one bother to put a request for proposal together and get numbers and figures and so on if it is only going to be negotiated once the proposal has been done? It seems strange to me, as well, that if negotiations are taking place with the win

Question 146-16(2) Contract For Water Treatment Plants  Clarification — yes, I understand that. Thank you, Mr. Minister. However, there are a number of things about this process that don’t smell right to me. The selected proponent was pitching this project to the five communities at least a year and a half ago, and the selected propon

Question 146-16(2) Contract For Water Treatment Plants  It can cost the bidder for a project of this size up to $400,000 to develop a good proposal, with no guarantee of success. The process used in this case suggests to me that it was the intent of MACA to give the project to the winning proponent from the start. If that was the depa