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.
John Todd on Question 72-12(4): Nwtam Concerns Re Dissolution Of Municipalities
In the Legislative Assembly on November 24th, 1993. See this statement in context.
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
November 23rd, 1993
Page 137
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.