Mr. Speaker, I am heartened to hear from the Premier and the new Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs that democracy would not be suspended except as a last possible resort, after all other steps had been taken. Everything I have learned about this situation, from talking to officials, is the real problem was the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs did not have confidence in the senior administrative officer in the town of Iqaluit. They acknowledge the duly elected town council had inherited a situation that had developed long before they were in office. In fact, since 1987. Given that, the Premier has said we took every last possible step. I would like to specifically ask this. Was it not available to the Cabinet to say to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs -- who asked their advice -- "We are prepared to provide a $3 million or $4 million rescue package," but to meet with the mayor and council and say, "Our people cannot work with your senior administrative officer. Deal with that person, replace that person, we will even offer you an administrator, otherwise, we are considering the drastic step of dissolving the council." Isn't that the last step that could have and should have been taken, Mr. Speaker? That is my question to the Premier. Thank you.
Dennis Patterson on Question 76-12(4): Alternate Approaches To Resolving Iqaluit Situation
In the Legislative Assembly on November 24th, 1993. See this statement in context.
Question 76-12(4): Alternate Approaches To Resolving Iqaluit Situation
Item 5: Oral Questions
November 23rd, 1993
Page 140
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
See context to find out what was said next.