This is page numbers 73 - 93 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 review.

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John Todd Keewatin Central

My question is for the Minister of Public Works. Mr. Speaker, on April 11, 1990, the 11th Assembly passed a motion asking the government to bring forth a policy that allows only northern companies to bid on government contracts. It is a motion that both the new Minister of Finance and the new Minister of Public Works are well acquainted with since they moved it. Could the Minister tell me if he is still committed to the intent of this motion?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Morin.

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Could the Minister, then, inform this House what steps his department has taken to implement the policy?

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Public Works, Mr. Morin.

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the present time, the Minister of Finance and his department, along with my departmental officials, are looking at the implications of it.

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Further supplementary, Mr. Todd.

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Given that when the motion was passed there was a request that this policy be reviewed by the standing committee on finance by August 15, 1990 and that the implementation of the policy be brought forward to the Executive Council and implemented by September 1, 1990, when does the Minister expect this policy will be fully implemented?

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The Minister of Finance will take the question.

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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, I think if the policy, as it is coming forward right now, were looked at by this House, it would not be acceptable because it does not address the concerns of that particular motion. It still does not say the kinds of things that people in this House have said, so we are looking at it again. As the Minister said, my department and his department will be working together to bring the matter forward to cabinet sometime in January to address this issue and still allow some flexibility with government spending. We would propose to put this before the standing committee on finance sometime in February. Thank you.

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, just to follow up on the questions from Mr. Todd. Recognizing that there is no specific policy developed, would the Minister of Finance be able to advise this House as to what measures are being taken with respect to ensuring they use northern businesses as much as they can? Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

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John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is an existing business incentives policy. I am afraid to say, sir, that it does not always work in favour or northern contractors. I freely admit that. I think Members on the other side are aware of that, as well. I guess in the meantime, before we can get a new policy before cabinet and take it to SCOF, the Members should be assured that we will do everything we can as Ministers to indicate to our departments that supporting northern business is supporting businesses that employ northern people, and it is the thing that we wish to be done. It is going to have to be a little bit on faith in the meantime, Mr. Speaker, and if Members are aware of instances where those kinds of things are not being adhered to, then they should inform the appropriate Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Recognizing that there is no specific policy with respect to northern purchasing -- that was the initial question asked -- and we all recognize that there is a business incentive policy and the way it is being applied causes concern to this House, and this is the purpose for formulating the other policy, Mr. Speaker, I would like to question the Minister to determine whether or not he is considering formulating a directive to the departments to ensure that the concerns of northern purchases are followed through with by the respective departments. Thank you.

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Finance.

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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, I am always somehow apprehensive, where there is a clearly defined policy, clearly defined rules and regulations for government employees to abide by, about overriding that thing by a straight directive. I think what we would prefer to do is to say to our people that are managing these projects that we want, as much as possible, to see those businesses that are northern, that employ northern people, to get the benefits of the contracts let by this government, within reason, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I could just say to the House that we could send out a directive that ensures that the present policy is adhered to and if there is ever a situation that is quite close, then having it referred to the Government Leader's office may be the way to resolve the issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Further supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, with regard to my initial question of asking if the Minister of Finance will consider formulating a directive, and as I had indicated recognizing that there are concerns with the way the current policy is being applied, the Minister of Finance stated that he is apprehensive about formulating a directive; but I am concerned with the lack of a formal directive to go with northern purchasing. There is a concern that there is no consistency when applying the policies, or there may be no consistency in applying the rules, so therefore I would like to know if the Minister of Finance will consider formulating a directive to ensure that northern purchasing is fully and conscientiously adhered to when we are expending public funds for purchases of goods in the North. Thank you.

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Finance.

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John Pollard Hay River

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I will send out a directive that ensures that we are adhering to the existing business incentive policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

James Arvaluk Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Government Leader. On August 23, at a public meeting in Hay River, the 11th Assembly's standing committee on finance asked the Executive Council to immediately initiate an independent investigation into the awarding of petroleum delivery contracts. Subsequently, the former Government Leader announced that a consultant, Ben Anderson, had been retained to investigate this matter. Mr. Speaker, will the Government Leader please advise the House regarding the status of Mr. Anderson's investigation?