This is page numbers 89 - 104 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th 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 going.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The business incentive policy was put in place to encourage businesses to do business in the north. It has created a lot of jobs in the Northwest Territories. If there is a funding problem with the school boards, that should be taken up with the Minister of Education. As far as I understand it, they are funded adequately, in order for them to buy in the Northwest Territories. School boards, health boards, nursing stations or DPW, buy in the north. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he is willing to look at the unique situation in Fort Liard and see if there is a possibility of being flexible with this policy. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker

Thank you. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'll be happy to look at this unique situation to try to see if we can help them out to make it easier for them to buy in the north. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Question 62-12(5): Business Incentive Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the honourable Minister of Finance. Madam Speaker, I'm glad the Minister is taking the issue of tobacco taxation as a health issue. I agree with the Minister 100 per cent. I'm wondering if the honourable Minister would consider giving increased funding to the health boards so the health boards in different regions can try to fight against the dangers of smoking? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 63-12(5): Funding For Education On The Dangers Of Smoking
Question 63-12(5): Funding For Education On The Dangers Of Smoking
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the whole issue of education in the health field is up for grabs right now. The federal government is going to have over $168 million over two years to spend in the provinces and territories, to teach people and get the message across about the dangers of smoking. The provinces and territories, right now, are discussing that issue with the federal government. I think, around the table last week, we were fairly convinced that the money should flow through us right to communities, boards and to the people actually doing work in the communities, depending on the jurisdictions across Canada.

The answer is, there is money forthcoming and it will go to the boards, yes, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 63-12(5): Funding For Education On The Dangers Of Smoking
Question 63-12(5): Funding For Education On The Dangers Of Smoking
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Item 5: Oral Questions

February 10th, 1994

Page 98

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance. Yesterday, I pointed out the concern with the exclusive debit card agreement between the CIBC and the Northwest Company. Although I recognize that the government wasn't directly involved with that agreement, they are indirectly involved, in that it came about as a result of the GNWT's proposal call to supply banking services to our communities. I would like to ask the Minister if he recognizes that problem and if he does, how he plans to address it?

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

John Pollard Hay River

Madam Speaker, I do recognize the problem, although I would advise the House that what the CIBC is doing in the Northwest Territories, they have been doing in northern Manitoba for some time. They were well down the road to negotiating this arrangement with the Northern stores six or eight months ago. I think all we've done is moved ahead their time schedule.

I would point out to the Member, through you, Madam Speaker, that there are other banks dealing in the Northwest Territories, at the present time, which are looking at other communities. I'm aware that those talks are ongoing. There may be other banks who are going to move into other communities with some services. Certainly, I don't want to give anybody the impression that there's a bank talking about a standard bricks and mortar bank, but they're certainly looking at things like debit cards and money machines.

I want to be very frank with the house that I'm somewhat alarmed at a letter I've received from Northern stores that indicated to me that they don't feel the CIBC has an exclusive agreement with Northern stores. I checked with our people who were in the room when the CIBC made a presentation to them and they said they felt that the CIBC indicated a sole vendors agreement, an exclusive agreement. I'm having that checked out at the present time, Madam Speaker. If, in fact, the Northern stores are correct in what they say, it does not preclude other banks from going to other branches of Northern stores and co-operatives and saying they will put in debit card systems. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 99

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Return To Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 99

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister of Finance or the Minister of Health, I'm not sure which of the two because, Madam Speaker, the Minister appears to be caught between a rock and a hard place. As Minister of Finance, he wants to see that our finances are in good order and that means ensuring we get every tax dollar from the public. On the other hand, he's Minister responsible for Health, and he wants to ensure that northerners receive the best of health care, and preventative health care. I think it has almost been shown conclusively how cigarette taxes have improved the health of Canadians by reducing the consumption of tobacco.

We all know that when a luxury commodity becomes too expensive, people quit using it. Therefore, if he's Minister for both, I'm wondering which hat he wears the most? I would like to ask the Minister when he was in Ottawa, which hat was he wearing when the federal government consulted him on this matter, Madam Speaker?

Return To Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Question 64-12(5): Concerns With Bank Debit Card Arrangements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 99

The Speaker

Go ahead, Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Madam Speaker, perhaps I was speaking metaphorically and I shouldn't have. I would like to ask the Minister, which Minister was he when he was in Ottawa when the Canadian government consulted him -- if they consulted him -- on this tax issue? I shouldn't speak in metaphors.

---Laughter

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 99

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I was Minister of Finance at the Finance Ministers' meeting when this issue was discussed and I was Minister of Health at the recent Health Ministers' meeting when this issue was discussed. If people are worried that if I have a conflict, Madam Speaker, the Minister of Health wants to save lives and the Minister of Finance wants to save dollars. I think this is a win-win situation. Anyway you cut it, if more people start smoking, we're going to have to pay that price down the road and it's a huge price across Canada. I think we can handle this thing.

I want people to disregard the money issue right now, as far as revenues lost or revenues gained, although they're important. The issue right now is that the cost to us down the road is going to be human lives, it is going to be emphysema, it's going to be lung cancer and heart disease. We have seen a lessening of smoking in the Northwest Territories in the last three years and we want that to continue. One of the ways we can do that is by keeping the price higher. I think that's what we have to keep in mind, the health of our population, because we already do pretty well at smoking and we certainly don't want it to increase. Thank you.

Return To Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 99

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 99

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a letter and I'm sure all the Members received it too, from a well-known citizen of our community who knows only too well the effects of tobacco on health. He urges that the Minister not cave into the actions of the federal government by reducing cigarette taxes and to keep the taxes high so that consumption remains low. I guess the Minister has a tough job to do because of the smuggling part of it.

He has pointed out what he is going to do, but I just wonder what the effect of this is going to be, when he says if someone decides to bring a couple of cartons of cigarettes over the border and the police catch them, all they have to say is they're going to pay the tax on it later on. In his conversations with the RCMP on this matter, have they indicated what kind of follow up takes place after someone makes a commitment to pay the taxes voluntarily on tobacco products that are brought over? Is there any follow up on this?

Supplementary To Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 99

The Speaker

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 99

John Pollard Hay River

Madam Speaker, I don't want anybody to think that the RCMP are going to be standing at the bottom of the stairs of aircrafts, asking people how many cartons of cigarettes they have on them. That's not what I'm intending to get across. What I'm saying is that if the RCMP stopped you from speeding to the airport and your trunk was full of cigarettes, you could turn around and say that you are going to send the taxes in.

Further Return To Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Question 65-12(5): Minister's Role In Consultations Re Tobacco Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 100

The Speaker

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.