Madam Premier.
Debates of April 2nd, 1993
Topics
Question 705-12(3): Development Of Memorandum Of Understanding
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
The Speaker
Question 705-12(3): Development Of Memorandum Of Understanding
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, I will take the question as notice. Thank you.
Question 705-12(3): Development Of Memorandum Of Understanding
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
The Speaker
The question has been taken as notice. Mr. Antoine.
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Speaker, after this session is over we will be returning to our communities and dealing with some pressing issues. I have some serious questions, as do other ordinary Members, about the Minister's approach to economic development in the Northwest Territories. Members have raised the fact that the government has an economic development strategy tabled in 1990, which was developed after extensive public consultation of the Standing Committee on Northern Economy, and following further input from the communities. The people of the Northwest Territories told the government, at that time, that the community-based economic development was the hope for our future, and they received a commitment from the government to this approach. I am concerned that the Minister is backing away from the commitment to this strategy with no clear justification and with no alternative to present in its place. What justification can the Minister provide for backing away from the previous government's commitment to a specific long-term economic development strategy for the Northwest Territories only three short years ago? Mahsi.
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
The Speaker
Mr. Pollard.
Return To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Speaker, I am not backing away from that former strategy. Thank you.
Return To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
The Speaker
Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.
Supplementary To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you. Given that the 1990 economic development strategy involved extensive community consultation, what consultation will the Minister undertake to obtain the opinions of the communities now on the 1990 economic development plan, and the need for any new directions by this government. Mahsi.
Supplementary To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1424
The Speaker
Mr. Pollard.
Further Return To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that we have strengthened the regional offices, the superintendents in the regions have much more flexibility, and much more responsibility. It is the responsibility of the regions, of the EDOs in communities, to talk to communities, and to talk to the local governments, to talk to the local chambers of commerce, to get their views on how the economy in that particular community or region is changing. From that, we get an idea of what is happening in the region from the superintendent. That is then brought into headquarters and we monitor the situation from there. Many of these consultative processes are happening at the regional level, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
The Speaker
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize in the gallery, Mr. Gary Bohnet, president of the Metis Nation.
---Applause
Mr. Zoe.
Further Return To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
Henry Zoe North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I ask my question, I would like to ask the House if we could extend question period.
Further Return To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
The Speaker
Are you seeking unanimous consent? Mr. Zoe.
Further Return To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
Further Return To Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Question 706-12(3): Economic Development Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
The Speaker
The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Zoe.
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
Henry Zoe North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Speaker, concerns have been expressed in this House that the economic strategy tabled in 1990, being considered by the Minister, seems to be only one of the many guiding documents. This government seems to be taking a first come first serve approach to economic development. It does not appear to be following a cohesive strategy even though there is a solid one available. This makes the direction of the government, with respect to economic development, very unclear. Mr. Speaker, on March 5, 1993, the Minister indicated to this House that the government knows what directions they are taking; they are going ahead. Well, this sounds good, however, the Minister also mentioned that things change every week and with no commitment to a clear economic strategy, I question how the communities are to know where they fit in with the government's plan. My question to the Minister is, can the Minister explain to the House what steps communities in the Northwest Territories should take to determine how they fit in with the Minister's plans for economic development?
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
The Speaker
Mr. Pollard.
Return To Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
John Pollard Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the changes that occur in the plan are occurring as a result of communications from those communities. Just yesterday, Baker Lake indicated that they wanted to talk to us about a caribou harvest in their area and how could it fit into the regional plan that would eventually see those animals ending up in Rankin Inlet to be processed. That was something we had not anticipated. Baker Lake had not shown that interest before. Just last month, Mr. Antoine approached me, and surprised me, by saying that his region had now agreed to a 17 kilometre gas pipeline down in the southwest corner of the Northwest Territories and they wanted to build it and own part of that pipeline. That came out of the blue. For Resolution expressed an interest in going back to logging under some new conditions. That was not to be anticipated by us, Mr. Speaker. So the changes I mentioned that are being put forward, changes what we might be doing in a particular region, are usually community driven. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
The Speaker
Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.
Supplementary To Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
Henry Zoe North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The economic strategy tabled in 1990 was preceded by the extensive public hearing process of the Special Committee on Northern Economy. The report contained 30 recommendations for building the northern economy. The majority, Mr. Speaker, of which focused on the developmental requirements of the underdeveloped communities. Can the Minister advise the House as to where the SCONE report fits within the government's economic development planning process?
Supplementary To Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
The Speaker
Mr. Pollard.
Further Return To Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Speaker, I mentioned earlier in this session that the strategy that was tabled is only one of the documents that we use in charting the economic path in the Northwest Territories and one of those other documents is the SCONE report, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
The Speaker
Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.
Supplementary To Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
Henry Zoe North Slave
One thing that causes me concern, Mr. Speaker, is the situation at the Department of Economic Development is sounding too familiar. Members have considered extensively in this House the difficulties encountered by, particularly, the Department of Health due to its lack of strategic planning. What action is the Minister prepared to take to ensure that the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the economic viability of the Northwest Territories does not end up floundering because of a lack of a strategic plan?
Supplementary To Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Question 707-12(3): Lack Of Action To Stimulate Economy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1425
The Speaker
Mr. Pollard.