This is page numbers 621 - 654 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 languages.

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Supplementary To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 631

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 631

John Todd Keewatin Central

I think it's important to point out that I cannot interfere directly in loans or loan applications. My job is to establish public policy; the job of the board is to enact it. I've instructed the board that, as long as I'm the Minister, the public policy is to make higher risk decisions, require less collateral, and not to ask in a manner in which conventional banks do. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 631

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 631

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, then, if he's requested this of the board, has he had

any response from them with regard to possibly increasing the risk level for the loans? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

John Todd Keewatin Central

It's basically a philosophy, I think, more than saying increase the loans to five, ten or 20 per cent loss, or whatever. I'm confident that in my discussions with the board of directors of the Credit Corporation, in which most regions are represented, that they recognize the need for the Credit Corporation to be a little more aggressive in their lending practices. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Further Return To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question would be to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Just prior to the Arctic Winter Games, we were treated to a fashion show of the clothes created for the NWT team. Some of the articles were created by established northern businesses such as the Jessie Oonark's Arts and Craft Centre. However, with the support of the government, a sewing company was created in Rankin Inlet to make the jackets for the games.

Due to the high subsidy provided for jackets, making these jackets provided short-term employment for the Rankin Inlet seamstresses. However, the games are over and there is now a sewing company in which the government has made a substantial investment. The government should not make this investment without full knowledge of the long-term plans of this company. What will these seamstresses be doing now that the jackets are done?

Further Return To Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Question 305-12(5): Mandate Of Business Credit Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Mr. Gargan, I would like to ask you to rephrase your question. For one thing, the seamstresses are not under the responsibility of Mr. Todd. The questions posed to Ministers should be as a result of the responsibilities of their departments. Would you like to attempt to rephrase your question? Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Just to rephrase it, I think the Minister is aware of the jackets that were made by the Rankin Inlet seamstresses. I would like to ask the Minister, what is the viability of the company now?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

John Todd Keewatin Central

I think it's important to point out that this company was not put in place specifically to sew these jackets. There is an NWT Development Corporation company called Ivalu Fabric Arts & Crafts, which is a sewing centre operating out of Rankin Inlet, which has a series of arctic clothing that it makes and sells. It has sales in that respect. It formed a joint venture with some others to bid the Arctic Winter games clothing. It was fortunate enough, when the decision was made to give the work out, that they did acquire, with this joint venture company, the contract to make the jackets. The company, Ivalu Fabric Arts & Crafts' long-term ability to produce jobs, et cetera, was not contingent upon the Arctic Winter Games jacket contract.

However, it did add to increasing, I believe, four or five additional employees in that company for that specific project.

Return To Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Supplementary To Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

So, Madam Speaker, for clarification, this joint venture was created long before there was a need to create these Arctic Winter Games jackets.

Supplementary To Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

John Todd Keewatin Central

Ivalu Fabric Arts and Crafts was created over a year and a half ago and the key, instrumental person at the time was Bernadette Makpah, who was actively involved with a group of ladies in town in designing new, modern and contemporary Arctic clothing. It was put in place, I believe, close to a year and a half ago. Again, I would stress, that operation, Ivalu Fabric Arts and Crafts, did a joint venture to bid on some of the Arctic Winter Games clothing. So, the Arctic Winter Games jackets were an add-on, if you want, to the revenue base of Ivalu Fabric Arts and Crafts. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Question 306-12(5): Viability Of Rankin Inlet Sewing Company
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

March 15th, 1994

Page 632

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is not clear what the mandate of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism is after the recent changes and the creation of the Development Corporation and the Business Credit Corporation. The two biggest economic initiatives, in mining, for example, and Mr. Kakfwi's with Renewable Resources, are in different ministries. This department doesn't seem to be really involved. What is the role of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the north, bearing in mind that many of the huge economic initiatives are really not within the scope of this department?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 632

John Todd Keewatin Central

I suppose, if I had my druthers, I would see it being called the Department of Small Business and Tourism. I believe that the role and responsibility, given the

fiscal conditions in the department and the resources we have -- the honourable Member is correct, they are limited -- and when you look at mega projects similar to diamonds, et cetera, that it is small change in the requirement, if we are going to assist in the service of that industry. I see the Department of Economic Development and Tourism as assisting small business in a variety of programs that we are all aware of, whether it is loan programs, plan programs, individual support at the community level, et cetera. So, in simple language, I see it in that light. I see it as providing support to other departments and coordinating with other departments some of the larger issues. For example, in the metal exploration that we have all been talking about, there is a role for it to play along with the departments of Transportation; Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and Renewable Resources as well. So, that is the way I view the department at this time, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Supplementary To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The Minister has correctly identified that there is a big difference between economic development and business development. I would like to ask the Minister, since he does recognize the importance of business development, in what way does he ensure that the support that is given to business development relates to these other huge initiatives which are not within the Department of Economic Development and Tourism?

Supplementary To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

John Todd Keewatin Central

Unless I am wrong, there is only one really enormous mega project currently facing us and that is the mineral exploration, and, frankly, I have said publicly and I will say it again, it is somewhat overwhelming when you recognize the size of it. For example, I was told by the industry, when I was in Toronto, that one diamond mine would bring in revenues of half a billion dollars and expenditures and servicing those revenues would be somewhere in the region of $200 million. So, we are having to make an adjustment to this. We are all having to make an adjustment, whether you are the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources or the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, as to how we comprehend and deal with this issue. Frankly, at this stage of the game, we are still struggling with it. What role do we have to play in this mega project that is staring us in the face, if you want? There are no easy answers to it. We are trying to develop, as I believe my honourable colleague said the other day, some kind of overall blueprint and plan for how we are going to look after the interests of northerners, whether it is in the economic field or in the education and training field, et cetera. But, let nobody misunderstand, if these projects or any one of these projects should take off, we are talking mega projects to the tune of close to half a billion dollars in revenues. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.