This is page numbers 24 - 48 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 1st Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was report.

Topics

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I have not seen the letter, and if I could get a copy of that letter, I will endeavour to follow up on the request of the Member for some attention to be paid to that problem he has outlined in Chesterfield Inlet.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

In the Government Leader's statement yesterday, it was clear to this House that the government intends to incorporate the POL, petroleum, oil and lubricants program, with the NWT Power Corporation. We are told in the speech that this incorporation is to gain greater efficiencies. On what basis did we determine that the Power Corporation has the ability to take on greater responsibilities, as there was little or no review done of the Power Corporation during preparation of the Beatty report?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question O10-12(1): Incorporating Petroleum, Oil And Lubricants Program With Power Corporation
Question O10-12(1): Incorporating Petroleum, Oil And Lubricants Program With Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 26

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the suggestion for turning the POL over and incorporating it with the Power Corporation has been on the books for a number of years. The former standing committee on finance had made that recommendation. We are now conducting the strategy on how that is going to be incorporated.

Return To Question O10-12(1): Incorporating Petroleum, Oil And Lubricants Program With Power Corporation
Question O10-12(1): Incorporating Petroleum, Oil And Lubricants Program With Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 26

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation, a follow-up on yesterday's question. Would the Minister advise the House before the end of this week, Friday, if the government will be putting in a winter road to Snare Lake?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Allooloo.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would hope I would have a bit more time for the department to assess what is needed to be shipped to Snare Lake. But if the Member wants to know by the end of this week, I will attempt to do that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The Minister is taking the question as notice. Oral questions. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, this question will be directed to the Minister of Social Services. Last summer when the Department of Social Services was somewhat in an uproar -- I even believe it was called a "Social Services scandal" -- there were three social workers, specifically Ann Enge, who had released a lot of confidential documents, with the assistance of Priscilla Hamann and Marjorie Sakundiak. These particular social workers, in my opinion, acted in a very unprofessional and unethical manner.

Mr. Speaker, recognizing that the current Social Services Minister is related to two of those workers, it probably would be difficult for him to address the issue. However, Mr. Speaker, to avoid future confidential information such as social assistance files being released to the public, will the Minister introduce legislation such as a privacy act for social assistance clients to be protected in the future?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the House had been moving toward a freedom of information act, and now I hear we want a confidentiality act. I think the Member would recollect my concerns expressed last year when this debate was taking place about the privacy of government and individuals. I hear what she is saying, and I think that the government will take the question seriously and review its necessity.

I do not wish to respond entirely to the Member's allegations of my being related to everybody -- I have a lot of relatives around, but it does not hinder me from doing my work. I will take the question seriously, and I will put it to the government to take a look at and see where this can apply.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The Minister is taking the question as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to, probably, the Minister of Aboriginal Rights, and it is with regard to chiefs' salaries. During the week of November 18 in Fort Rae at the Dene leadership meeting, six of the present cabinet Members were present at the meeting where the chiefs requested funding for chiefs' salaries. What is the Minister of Aboriginal Rights doing about this? Mahsi.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Madam Government Leader.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I had a meeting with Bill Erasmus after the meeting that took place in Fort Rae. I asked Mr. Erasmus to come with a proposal, and I am waiting to receive that so we can consider it. Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Speaker, last year we approved four million dollars to have the Department of Economic Development and Tourism develop a plan for Seville, Spain, and I understand we do have some liaison officers that do travel back and forth between the Northwest Territories and Seville, Spain. I would like to ask the Minister why the liaison people are travelling first class when we are in a difficult situation financially.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, I am not aware that they are travelling first class, but I will look into it and get back to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The Minister has taken the question as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will direct my question to the same Minister. I would like to ask him a question pertaining to the Business Loans and Guarantees Fund regarding its interest rate guidelines. Mr. Speaker, the bank rate is now the lowest it has been for the past number of years. It is my understanding that the Business Loans and Guarantees Fund interest rates are fixed on a quarterly basis where the rate is adjusted to two per cent below the prime rate. Is the rate adjusted automatically on a quarterly basis, or is it adjusted only upon application by the client?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question O15-12(1): Interest Rate Guidelines For Business Loans And Guarantees Fund
Question O15-12(1): Interest Rate Guidelines For Business Loans And Guarantees Fund
Item 5: Oral Questions

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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, the rate is Royal Bank plus two per cent, not less two per cent. We set that every 90 days. This is the rate somebody would get if they applied in a particular 90-day period.

With regard to changing the rates for people who have loans with the Government of the Northwest Territories, they have to apply to have their loans rewritten. When they do that, Mr. Speaker, they have to be a client in good standing. Also, they have to be prepared to pay the legal costs of registering any future securities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.