I think that there has been, and not on our part here, but in the Strength at Two Levels report -- as cabinet or as a government we are not bound to implement every recommendation. I agree with the Member that there should be some guiding principles, but one of the problems we have had in the past is exactly what he mentioned -- education, health. He did not mention education -- those are the areas where we have an automatic request or obligation to support. We have to support that. What we have been finding is that with the fiscal arrangement we have and with the resources we have, we are not going to be able to meet those basic areas that were just mentioned, and I do not think there will be any question that there is no support for those basic principles, none whatsoever. However, in trying to meet those basic principles on where we are going to finance them from, we have got into a problem. Where do we make some cost savings so we can continue to just take care of those basic needs, and that is a problem we faced right from the beginning. I believe that in looking at that in the past, what we have been told is that there are funds available but it is being burnt up in areas that are really not necessary. I think that is a very strong statement from many areas. We are burning up money in the wrong areas, and I believe that this document, which we have not adopted in cabinet, is a reference document, and I think that opportunity, as we are going into the implementation, will have that course. If we make any changes to the consolidation or whatever in the process it would have to come to this Legislative Assembly, which would say "yea" or "nay." We would appear before standing committees giving a program of activities that can be expressed at that level as well. So I do not want to belabour a long statement, but to say yes, the basic principles -- we stand by them. And right now, in order to support those basic principles we have to find the resources to support them, and that is all we are attempting to do, Mr. Chairman.
Nellie Cournoyea on Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 26th, 1992. See this statement in context.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 25th, 1992
Page 151
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
See context to find out what was said next.