This is page numbers 53 - 91 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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 nunavut.

Topics

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, I had always understood that in government there are three branches: the Executive, the legislative and the judicial. And I think that it is not uncommon for this Legislature to pass motions which the Executive doesn't carry out. So it is not always the case that the Government Leader represents the Members of the Legislative Assembly.

As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Premier would not be surprised to hear that I don't always agree with her, and that she doesn't always speak on my behalf.

Some Hon. Members

Ohh.

An Hon. Member

Hard to believe.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, I just thought that I would like to make sure that that was on the record in case any of my constituents should happen to read that ruling and think that I always had the same thoughts as the Members of Cabinet in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 26-12(7): Baseline Study On Fas
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on November 15th regarding a baseline study on FAS/FAE. Mr. Antoine asked if I would reconsider the decision of the department so that a baseline study on fetal alcohol syndrome and its effects can be carried out.

Mr. Speaker, the national population health survey will provide a great deal of valuable information on issues such as fetal alcohol syndrome. It will help the department to get a better understanding of the health and social issues affecting our children. When the results of this survey are analyzed, I will review the situation to decide where further research is necessary. It may be that the population health survey will identify other areas which also need research attention. At that point, a decision will be made about where research money can be best spent. I will brief the Member of the results of the survey and outline the further research that will be done. This will occur, Mr. Speaker, in the summer of 1995.

Return To Question 27-12(7): Community Transfer Agreement With Resolute Bay
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have another return to oral question which was asked by Mr. Pudluk on November 14th regarding the request of the hamlet of Resolute Bay for the transfer of health and social service programs. The honourable Member inquired about the status of transferring health and social services programs to the community of Resolute Bay.

The community has initiated the first step in the community transfer process. The letter from the hamlet council has been forwarded to the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kakfwi will be directing staff from the community transfer program to contact and meet with the hamlet. The hamlet will be briefed on how the community transfer program works and what steps and actions they must take to develop a community transfer agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 27-12(7): Community Transfer Agreement With Resolute Bay
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Madam Premier. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Return To Question 14-12(7): Designation Of Bathurst Inlet And Umingmaktok
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ng on November 14, 1994, regarding the designation of Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok. As previously indicated to the Member, Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok are not incorporated. Further, neither are formally recognized by the government as communities. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs does not provide any municipal services to Bathurst Inlet or Umingmaktok.

In response to the Member's question, it would be the responsibility of individual departments to address specific needs identified by the residents of Bathurst and Umingmaktok. Thank you.

Return To Question 14-12(7): Designation Of Bathurst Inlet And Umingmaktok
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Patterson.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I would like to recognize Mr. Ben MacDonald of the Union of Northern Workers.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Is there anybody else in the gallery you would like to recognize today? Okay, item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to thank Mr. Koe for letting me go first. I have to go to the treaty entitlement ceremony. Mr. Speaker, though I agree with my colleague from Yellowknife that the decision of the Public Utilities Board is better than the proposal put forth by the Power Corporation, my constituents find it totally unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely unfair that the citizens of Yellowknife have to pay a penalty because of the lack of long-term planning by the Power Corporation.

So, my question, Mr. Speaker, to the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation is, why wasn't the $7 million extra revenue that came out of the Snare system during the time of high water put into a stabilization fund to pay for the low-water years? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. I would like to remind the Member that I am not a Madam.

---Laughter

Would the Minister like to respond to Mr. Ballantyne's question? Return To Question 28-12(7): NWTPC Rate Stabilization Fund

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the specific question Mr. Ballantyne is asking is with regard to planning for a calculation of unanticipated costs relating to the charges necessary when the environment doesn't allow for enough water to run a hydro system. Mr. Speaker, a stabilization fund was not set up because the rate of return did not allow enough to be able to absorb the expenses incurred in trying to reach our commitment of providing infrastructure to communities, including the upgrading of the Snare Yellowknife system and the dividends paid to the territorial government for a subsidy of power. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. My apologies, Mr. Speaker. In the PUB report there is an unusual section which condemns the Power Corporation for not showing due diligence in setting up a stabilization fund. So, my question to the Minister is, when did the Power Corporation apply for a stabilization fund to the Public Utilities Board?

Supplementary To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 61

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, Mr. Speaker, sorry. Mr. Speaker, what I have indicated is that the rate of return that was allowed for the NWT Power Corporation in the past did not allow enough revenue to create a stabilization fund, although it was contemplated over a year ago, or earlier than that. There wasn't enough money by the time the Power Corporation had worked on infrastructure and had paid to the territorial government the subsidization for power. The rate of return only allowed for that, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam, Mr. Speaker. We are so used to this, Mr. Speaker, it will take us at least another day to get used to you being in the chair and then we won't be here, probably. But, I will try to remember. Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. That didn't really answer my question. The Public Utilities Board is not able to read the minds of the Power Corporation. The Public Utilities Board, as I said, in quite an unusual part of the decision, condemned the Power Corporation for not exercising due diligence. As far as I'm aware, the Power Corporation hadn't specifically asked for the ability to set up a stabilization fund.

My question to the Minister is, can the Minister assure this House and assure the power consumers of the Northwest Territories that, in fact, a rate stabilization fund will be set up so that users in this particular system -- and it's their system -- will never again have to face an unacceptable high increase that they're facing today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I don't know if the Member wants me to answer the two questions that are in his statement or his preamble. I'm not quite sure how I can be more specific. Maybe he can be more specific on exactly what the question is.

Further Return To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Madam. All you're required to do is make a response to a question. Your final supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Question 28-12(7): Nwtpc Rate Stabilization Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

I would be quite happy if the Minister answered my preamble, my example and my question. I would be happy for all three. But if the Minister only wants to answer one, will the Minister ensure that the Power Corporation sets up a rate stabilization fund so that the power users of the Snare system will never again have to face such an unacceptably high increase in one year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.