This is page numbers 397 - 428 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 6th 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 community.

Topics

Return To Question 185-12(6): Status Of Firehall In Fort Providence
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 404

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 37-12(6): Timetable For Updating Companies Act
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 404

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is in response to a question asked by Mr. Ballantyne on April 7th.

Mr. Ballantyne asked a question as to what the timetable was to have an updated Companies Act revised and brought into modern context.

We wrote to Mr. Ballantyne on the 25th of April indicating that the drafting of a new Business Corporations Act had begun, and it was expected at the time that completion of this draft would be in the latter part of 1995. Thank you.

Return To Question 37-12(6): Timetable For Updating Companies Act
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 404

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visits in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

I have a question for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Ms. Cournoyea. Did the Cabinet approve the Power Corporation's proposed 22 per cent low-water surcharge?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Madam Premier.

Return To Question 195-12(5): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 404

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, no.

Return To Question 195-12(5): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 404

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Return To Question 195-12(5): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 404

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. Then did the Minister approve the proposed 22 per cent low-water surcharge?

Return To Question 195-12(5): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 404

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. I just want to caution Members that I've been advised that this particular request has been placed before the PUB, which is a quasi-judicial board. I would like to ask the Member if you could possibly rephrase your question in order not to place any type of impediment on the process.

Point Of Order

Return To Question 195-12(5): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 404

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Madam Speaker, I respect the sub judice provisions of our rules. However, in this case, there is an anomaly as to how the Power Corporation operates. The Power Corporation goes in front of the Public Utilities Board in order that they can hear rate applications. But, on the other

hand, the Power Corporation is 100 per cent owned by the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the legislation which enacts the Power Corporation allows the Minister to issue directives to the Power Corporation. What I'm trying to do here, Madam Speaker, is to deal with the relationship between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Power Corporation, not the relationship between the Power Corporation and the Public Utilities Board. Thank you.

Return To Question 195-12(5): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Mr. Ballantyne, first of all, on your point of order, I want to indicate to you that the question was not ruled out of order. I've asked you to rephrase your question, keeping in mind and being cognizant of the fact the request for an increase has gone before the Public Utilities Board, which is a quasi-judicial body. Therefore, I did ask if you would rephrase your question, but to keep that particular request in mind. However, Mr. Ballantyne, since you have put forth a point of order, I will take it under advisement and rule it accordingly. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

I appreciate that. I think it will be useful to Members. To the Premier, I fully respect the relationship between the Power Corporation and the Public Utilities Board, but I am interested in exactly how the Cabinet was involved in the decision-making process.

The Minister says the Cabinet wasn't involved, but the Minister responsible has the authority to issue directives and I want to ask, has the Minister issued any directives to the Power Corporation in the past year.

Supplementary To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Yes, Madam Speaker, there was one directive issued to the Power Corporation.

Further Return To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's a fairly strong tool that the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation has. Could I ask what that directive was?

Supplementary To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, the directive was for the Power Corporation to pay the Government of the Northwest Territories, I believe, $4 million plus in order for the government to pay the subsidy on power rates. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Supplementary. Thank you. With that particular request, the government, I would think, is indirectly saying that the Power Corporation has to find the money from somewhere else. My last question to the Minister...Obviously, the Minister is consulted in any sort of decision like this for the Power Corporation to go in front of the Public Utilities Board. Was the Minister consulted by the Power Corporation before they went in front of the Public Utilities Board?

Supplementary To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I was made aware that a request for a low-water surcharge would be put forward to the Public Utilities Board. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Question 195-12(6): Cabinet Approval Of Low-water Surcharge
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question to the Premier, in her role as the Minister of Health and Social Services, and the leader of our government. We, as MLAs, are often asked by constituents to assist with travel costs for them to visit their ill relatives in other communities. As much as we would like to, we are not allowed to use money from our constituency funds to help these people in need. Could the Premier inform this House what assistance is available to those people who would like to travel to another community to visit sick or terminally ill relatives, but can't financially afford to? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Health, Madam Premier.