Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.
Debates of Nov. 24th, 1993
Topics
Further Return To Question 71-12(4): Reason For Iqaluit Sao Being Replaced
Question 71-12(4): Reason For Iqaluit Sao Being Replaced
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 137
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 137
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It appears the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs would like an opportunity to get involved, so I would like to address this question to him. Mr. Speaker, I have heard from the NWT Association of Municipalities that there is concern among many of their members that what happened in Iqaluit could happen in other communities. As a former president of that association, I am sympathetic to their concerns. Particularly, I would like to ask the Minister about the process being followed by the department, which might lead to this kind of decision. Specifically, what kinds of warning signs are municipalities given that this government is considering dissolution of a local government?
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 137
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 137
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, this decision is made as a last resort, as everyone knows. It comes about after significant discussions. In the Iqaluit situation -- if I can add to the issue from what I have read in the short time I have had this portfolio, 24 hours -- there were significant discussions between the department and the municipality, its elected council and its SAO. Issues were raised with respect to the financial situation on a number of occasions. The department asked them to take corrective action. It is my understanding that corrective action wasn't taken on a number of occasions. So it is not like this came out of the blue. There were significant discussions from when Mr. Patterson was the previous Minister of MACA. There were discussions going on in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990. No one likes to take the action that has been taken. We had no choice. This situation has cost this government a significant amount of money. I don't know what direction the department is going to take. The fact of the matter is we are in a position where we have to take the appropriate action that is deemed necessary to protect the interest of everyone in the Northwest Territories. That is what is being done here. It is certainly not the demise of democracy.
Return To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Dent.
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is interesting that the Minister does say, "We had no choice." I am not sure if he was speaking royally or for the Cabinet.
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
John Todd Keewatin Central
(Microphone turned off)
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
I think the important thing is other municipalities want to know that there is a process. As we recently saw, there is significant power within the government which can be exercised very quickly. Surely it would be of benefit for all concerned to have a better understanding of how and when the government might take this sort of action to dissolve a council. Specifically, what we need is a policy. Will the Minister consider preparing a policy that would set up the process and guidelines to be followed by government officials, when proposing to take action with respect to the removal of a municipal council and/or their administration?
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Todd.
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
John Todd Keewatin Central
Again, I say to the honourable Member, I have had this portfolio for 24 hours, I will take his question...
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Point Of Order
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
With respect to my point of order, the Member is indicating to this House that he has had this portfolio for the past 24 hours. I believe he has been the Minister of MACA for 48 hours. Thank you.
---Applause
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
It is not a point of order, but thank you for that information, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
John Todd Keewatin Central
I was thinking, Mr. Speaker, of 24 waking hours.
---Laughter
Further Return To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolutions Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
John Todd Keewatin Central
I think it is an important point that Mr. Dent has raised. It obviously has ramifications across the territories and no one is denying the seriousness of the issue. I will take his question under consideration and talk to the department. If there is not a process in place, we will attempt to bring back an answer to his question in the next two days. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolutions Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Dent.
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I take it that the Minister didn't take my question as notice because he didn't use those words. I have a supplementary for the same Minister. Municipalities are unaware of any clear policy within the department which sets out how this process might take place, so that is one thing they do want to see. I am pleased to hear that he will take a look at it.
One other thing I would like to ask the Minister to consider is, will he consider recommending to his department to proceed with amendments to the legislation which would allow for a process of mediation before a dissolution of a council or administration could take place?
Supplementary To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolutions Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
John Todd Keewatin Central
I will consider it. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolutions Of Municipalities
Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.
Question 73-12(4): Options Open To Minister Of Maca Re Iqaluit Situation
Item 5: Oral Questions
November 23rd, 1993
Page 138
Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From my examination of the chronology of events related to the dismissal of the mayor and council in Iqaluit, it seems as if there was considerable discussion in March and there was an exchange again in April. On both of these occasions the local MLA was informed. He was given letters to explain exactly what was going on.
This eventually led to a decision time. On September 22, a submission was made to the Financial Management Board to refinance the Iqaluit land development debentures. My question to the Minister of MACA is what options -- given the fact that the refinancing was turned down for this debenture -- did the Minister of MACA have?
Question 73-12(4): Options Open To Minister Of Maca Re Iqaluit Situation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Todd.
Question 73-12(4): Options Open To Minister Of Maca Re Iqaluit Situation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
John Todd Keewatin Central
I don't particularly like this, Mr. Speaker, but I would have to take that question as notice. Sorry.
Question 73-12(4): Options Open To Minister Of Maca Re Iqaluit Situation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ng.
Question 74-12(4): Reason For Timing On Iqaluit Decision
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 138
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. According to the information we have been provided with, in the chronology of events, the action of dissolving the town council in Iqaluit could have actually happened prior to December 31, because that was when the debenture was due for payment. Why was the situation so drastic that Cabinet had to do this prior to the sitting of this House?