This is page numbers 641 - 678 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 chairman.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 305-12(6): Rationale For Hiring Versus Contracting Of Physicians
Question 305-12(6): Rationale For Hiring Versus Contracting Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 646

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. One of our only carrots to keep doctors or other health professions is our salaries and benefits. There have been various questions over the past years on the salaries and benefits of nurses and dental technicians. Are the salaries and benefits for physicians under review by the department?

Supplementary To Question 305-12(6): Rationale For Hiring Versus Contracting Of Physicians
Question 305-12(6): Rationale For Hiring Versus Contracting Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 646

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 305-12(6): Rationale For Hiring Versus Contracting Of Physicians
Question 305-12(6): Rationale For Hiring Versus Contracting Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 646

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I believe that the Northwest Territories has more to offer than money and benefits. By and large, many of the physicians and medical practitioners, nurses or educators, do come to the Northwest Territories for an experience. Unfortunately, many of them don't stay a long time because they come from another part of the country where their families are. We have the same problem when we try to relocate our own people in another region of the Northwest Territories. They want to stay close to home. It is no less important to people who come from southern Canada. At this point in time, there is no adjustment or an active look at the fees and fee schedules. I believe we did it not too long ago, so they have been set and the amounts and parameters of what those are, are available for public consumption. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 305-12(6): Rationale For Hiring Versus Contracting Of Physicians
Question 305-12(6): Rationale For Hiring Versus Contracting Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 646

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have another question for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. Madam Speaker, you have said many times in this House that if a Member has a question to ask of a Minister that is not within the direct knowledge of that Minister, to use a written question. I did. I asked what I thought was a fairly straightforward question: what would the effect of a 22 per cent surcharge be in the cost of power to Royal Oak and Miramar mines? It seems like a simple question. The answer being Miramar, $1 million and Royal Oak, $800,000, or

whatever it may be. But, the answer wasn't that. The answer was, "The corporation's proposal of a 22 per cent interim refundable rate rider, based on the total amount billed, applies to the customers of the Snare system which include Royal Oak and Miramar Con Mines."

So, my question to the Minister is, what was the question that the Minister was answering with this particular response?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Madam Premier.

Return To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, that everyone was treated equally. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Well, that's nice to know. I didn't ask that question, but in case I would have to ask it in the future, I now know that everybody is treated equally. I will ask again if the Minister can tell me what will be the effect of a 22 per cent increase surcharge on the cost of power to Royal Oak and Miramar Con Mines Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, those calculations are presently before the Public Utilities Board.

Further Return To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

I'll try it a different way then, Madam Speaker. Could the Minister make available to this House the present costs of power to Royal Oak and Miramar Con Mines and then add 22 per cent to that figure and give that figure to the House? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, those two figures are presently in front of the Public Utilities Board.

Further Return To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Final supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Final supplementary, Madam Speaker. Could the Minister make available to this House present costs to Miramar Con Mines and Royal Oak mines and I'll add the 22 per cent calculation.

Supplementary To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, to my knowledge presently, today, I don't have that knowledge. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Question 306-12(6): Effect Of Nwtpc's Proposed Surcharge On Royal Oak And Miramar Con Mines
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Madam Speaker, it appears there may be a good possibility of a diamond mine opening in the not-too-distant future in the Northwest Territories. Historically, there has been little value added to the product of mines in the Northwest Territories, whether they be gold or iron ore. But I know, though, that in many countries that produce diamonds, new secondary industries have been developed; industries like sorting, grading, cutting and setting of diamonds, and that these industries can add significant value to the economy.

My question to the Minister is, what efforts has the Minister taken to ensure we get some of those secondary industries, should a diamond mine open up in the Northwest Territories?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 307-12(6): Secondary Industry Resulting From Diamond Mining
Question 307-12(6): Secondary Industries Resulting From Diamond Mining
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is my favourite subject. Well, first of all, we have to find the diamonds. At the current time, the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is undergoing a number of studies with consultants with respect to polishing, cutting and a whole variety of spin-offs with respect to the diamond industry.

I believe we've recruited some of the top intelligence in the world in the diamond field. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we'll have some options so that, should diamond mines come about, we will be able to present something to the companies and the territories which would improve the economic well-being of communities like Yellowknife and other areas. Thank you.

Return To Question 307-12(6): Secondary Industry Resulting From Diamond Mining
Question 307-12(6): Secondary Industries Resulting From Diamond Mining
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 647

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 307-12(6): Secondary Industries Resulting From Diamond Mining
Question 307-12(6): Secondary Industries Resulting From Diamond Mining
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 648

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm glad to hear that the Minister advises that the department is actively looking at this. Could the Minister advise us whether or not his department is also considering introducing legislation to ensure that some sort of secondary processing does take place?