Debates of Dec. 9th, 1993

This is page numbers 565 - 633 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 4th 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Comic Book - Arctic Plei
Country Food
Canadian Council Of Catholic Bishops
Social Assistance Food Rates
Government Contractual Practices
Closure Of Akaitcho Hall
Return To Oral Question 239-12(4): Funds For Meeting Of Alcohol And Drug Board Of Management
Further Return To Oral Question 242-12(4): Stockpiles Transferred For Roads In Chesterfield Inlet
Return To Oral Question 235-12(4): Alcohol And Drug Board Of Management
Return To Oral Question 211-12(4): Canada/nwt Languages Agreement
Further Return To Oral Question 213-12(4): Canada/nwt Language Agreements
Further Return To Oral Question 225-12(4): Type Of Expertise Shared With Other Groups
Further Return To Oral Question 231-12(4): Division Secretariat Established By Cabinet
Further Return To Oral Question 226-12(4): Training Programs For Heavier Involvement In The Mining Industry
Return To Oral Question 94-12(4): Policy For Non-medical Escorts
Return To Oral Question 210-12(4): Consultation Prior To Non-native Adoptions
Further Return To Oral Question 193-12(4): Examine Guardianship Act In Detail
Return To Oral Question 200-12(4): Fire And Liability Insurance Carried On Government Units
Consultation With Other Jurisdictions Re Guardianship Trustee Act
Reductions In Food Allowances In Natilikmiot Communities
Review New Food Rates And Increase In Communities That Were Decreased
Food Allowance Rates
Responsibility For Snow Removal For Social Housing
Agency Responsible For Food Cost Surveys
Eligibility For Senior Citizens' Fuel Subsidy
Transfer Of Gravel To Hamlet Of Chesterfield Inlet
Cut-off Of Family Allowances For School Age Children
GNWT Takeover Of Federal Tank Farm
Monitoring Of Contracts To Ensure Local Labour Hired
Reasons For Increases In Food Allowances
Staff Housing Buy-back Policy
Revisions To Conflict Of Interest Guidelines Since 1988
NWT Birthrate For 1992
Tabling Of Strategic Planning Report
Review Of Policy For Mackenzie River Barging Contract
Number Of Custom Adoptions In 1992
Application Of Language Bonus
Counselling For Pregnant Teenagers
Commitment To Respond To Outstanding Questions
Status On Baffin Fishing Industry Quotas
Update Of Mine Safety Act
Transfer And Consolidation Of Responsibilities
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
Return To Written Question 1-12(4): Government Of The Northwest Territories In Court As Defendant
Return To Written Question 4-12(4): Iqaluit Hot Water System Shutdown Costs
Return To Written Question 6-12(4): Details And Costs Of Government Repaired Houses
Return To Written Question 13-12(4): Hay Plan Status
Return To Written Question 17-12(4): Fort Smith Garage Purchases
Return To Written Question 20-12(4): Capital Contracts List
Return To Written Question 22-12(4): Public Works Contracts
Return To Written Question 26-12(4): Government Buildings Written Off After Fires
Item 8: Replies To Opening Address
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Independent Review Of Triple Designation Of River Ridge Facility
Road Construction Through Wood Buffalo National Park, Carried As Amended
Referral Of The Comprehensive Audit Of The Department Of Economic Development And Tourism To The Standing Committee On Public Accounts
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Committee Report 10-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Review Of The NWT Power Corporation
To Adopt Recommendation 1
To Adopt Recommendation 2
To Adopt Recommendation 3
To Adopt Recommendation 4
To Adopt Recommendation 5,
To Adopt Recommendation 6
To Adopt Recommendation 7
To Adopt Recommendation 8
To Adopt Recommendation 9
To Adopt Recommendation 10
To Adopt Recommendation 11
To Adopt Recommendation 12
To Adopt Recommendation 13
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1994-95
Bill 5, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 5, 1992-93
Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1993-94
Assent To Bills

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

Page 609

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Not previously authorized, $3.731 million.

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

Page 609

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

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

Page 609

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Page 26, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, operations and maintenance. Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, special warrant, $250,000.

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

Page 609

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

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

Page 609

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Total department, $250,000.

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

December 9th, 1993

Page 609

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

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

Page 609

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Economic Development and Tourism, operations and maintenance, business development, not previously authorized. Mr. Koe.

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

Page 609

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you. A total of 2.5 PYs have been approved for the management and collection of loan accounts for the

Business Credit Corporation. What is the size of the loan portfolio today?

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Minister Pollard.

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

Page 610

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Chairman, I believe the loan portfolio is around $19.5 million, sir.

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Mr. Koe.

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

Page 610

Fred Koe Inuvik

What is the amount of outstanding loans?

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Minister Pollard.

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

Page 610

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Chairman, it may be as high as $4.5 or $5 million. I think the Minister is looking at that area right now, and he has discussed, with myself, bringing forward a write-off bill for the February session. So, unless Mr. Todd has anything further to add, I think that's it.

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Mr. Todd.

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

Page 610

John Todd Keewatin Central

What we define as "bad debts," I suppose is currently sitting at somewhere -- depending on your definition of a bad debt, I suppose -- between $4 and $4.5 million. Thank you.

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Todd. Mr. Koe.

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

Page 610

Fred Koe Inuvik

I assume that the 2.5 PYs are not all -- it says here for management and collection -- required for collection of the $4.5 million. So, what exactly are the 2.5 PYs going to be used for?

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

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

Page 610

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Chairman, these people are not only trying to collect loans, they're also having input into when loans are made, to make sure that all the documents are signed, all the documents are filed, the collateral is there, and all the legal agreements are in place, so, in the event of some kind of problem down the road, there is something to fall back on to be able to get some money back.

I think one of the problems, and I'm probably speaking for Mr. Todd, but one of the problems we've seen in the past is maybe all the "i's" weren't dotted and the "t's" crossed. I think the Business Credit Corporation, as it moves further away from the Government of the Northwest Territories and operates on its own, will want to make sure that the loans it is making now are fully secured, registered, and so on and so forth. No, they're not all racing around repossessing cars and buildings and so on, they are doing other things as well, Mr. Chairman.

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Pollard. The chair recognizes Mr. Koe.

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

Page 610

Fred Koe Inuvik

Maybe they should, then we might not have all these bad debts. There are 2.5 PYs, is one for a manager, one for a loan officer and one for a bill collector? I'm just curious.

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. The structure, Mr. Pollard.

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

Page 610

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Chairman, there is a credit collections officer, a credit officer, and a finance officer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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

Page 610

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you. Business development, not previously authorized, $263,000.