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.

Topics

Return To Question 299-12(5): Percentage Of Ed&t Budget Devoted To Small Business Grants
Question 299-12(5): Percentage Of Ed&t Budget Devoted To Small Business Grants
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, 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 also for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Madam Speaker, there has been an awful lot of discussion regarding the community classifications for Economic Development funding. The Minister is on record in this House saying that the emphasis will be on providing funding for business in Level II and Level III communities.

Madam Speaker, this tends to encourage an isolationist approach to economic development and has caused problems for businesses in level I communities, especially for aboriginal people in communities like Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik and yes, even in Yellowknife, to take advantage of these programs. In view of the apparent problems with community categorization, is the Minister willing to consider other options for determining funding availability or eligibility, by business size perhaps, instead of by business location?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

I find this question almost hypocritical. The reality is, whether the honourable Member likes it or not, the policies of this department were determined by previous Cabinets and previous MLAs on the principle of the extent of unemployment and the need in Level II and III communities for some economic activity.

---Applause

They don't have the ability, as they do in a community like Yellowknife, where the business community is fundamentally supported by the people who come in from the communities of the Northwest Territories. Where would the hotel industry be in Yellowknife if it weren't for northerners coming to Yellowknife? Where would the taxi business be? The Level II and III communities, in my eyes and in my department's eyes, are the priority and I intend to stay the course. Thank you.

Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 627

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 627

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 627

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Is the Minister then saying that he does not feel that aboriginal people in level I communities deserve any support for starting new businesses?

Supplementary To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 627

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Further Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

I personally never discriminate in relationship to race when it comes to the department. What we are discriminating on, if anything, is unemployment. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 627

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. My colleague from Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan, mentioned a program in a question before to the Minister which involves a $5,000 grant to people who are unemployed and wanting to get into business. Is that program available to residents in level I communities?

Supplementary To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 627

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Further Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

I believe it is, but again I could stand to be corrected. I would like to point out that the focus of the department in some of its programs is in level II and III communities. That's based on policy and it was agreed to by previous governments.

I would also like to point out, it would be interesting to see...If the diamond exploration took place, for example, in the Northwest Territories, what community would benefit the most? What economic benefits would be derived to Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove or Chesterfield Inlet? Where would the net effects come? That's what we're trying to do here. We're trying to find a way and means to support those communities that need the support the most. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My final supplementary to the Minister, I don't think that anybody would disagree with the emphasis being on providing employment where it is needed the most. I don't think anybody in the House would disagree that level II and level III communities have the greatest needs. But the problem has been that there is still a need in level I communities. There are still some

people who can't access the funding from the banks, and still some people who need the assistance of the department with putting their proposals together. What I'm asking is, will the Minister take a look...and the Minister has pointed out that it was this Legislative Assembly that set the priorities, but that came as a result of a Minister taking the initiative and presenting the proposal to this legislature. What I'm asking is, will the Minister re-examine the situation and see whether there isn't some way that small businesses in level I communities, or people wishing to start small businesses in level I communities, can't find easier access to assistance from his department?

Supplementary To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Further Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

I'd be foolish to say no. Of course we will look at it. The reality is that some of the programs that we have can be accessed by level I communities. The business loan fund can be accessed, some of the grant systems can be accessed, CAEDS funding can be accessed, EDA money can be accessed. What programs is the honourable Member talking about? All I'm saying is, the emphasis historically has been on the level II and III communities. Small businesses can access the Government of the Northwest Territories business loan fund, CAEDS program, EDA. But, yes, we will review it and let the honourable Member know what conclusions we come to.

Further Return To Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Question 300-12(5): Community Classifications For Economic Development Funding
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 628

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, as well. During the Fourth Session of this Assembly, the Minister announced that there is restructuring of his department. What this did was place more authority in the hands of the regional staff. However, with every change in the way programs are being delivered, there is a need to train and refresh the frontline workers. I would like to ask the Minister, what has the department done to assist the regional staff to carry out their expanded roles? Mahsi.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Return To Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Item 5: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

There are several things we've done or that we're doing. We are providing, for example, at the regional level more resource staff that we're taking out of headquarters and putting into the regions to assist in the new expanded financial authority as it relates to loans, grants, et cetera. The regional superintendents are now meeting -- because I've insisted upon it -- every three months to make sure that the changes that we've put into place are going into place. During these meetings, it's like a training seminar, I think, and we're moving fairly aggressively to bring the superintendents and ultimately their staff up to date on the programs, the money we have and the new programs that are coming. So there are certain steps taking place. We are adding some new resources. And I'm reasonably confident that in the next six months we're going to be able to demonstrate a more effective way of delivering the programs than we have in the past. Thank you.

Return To Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 628

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. The other people who should be aware of the new regional emphasis of the changes in the department are the public and the business community. I would like to ask the Minister, how has the department informed the users about the changes to the department? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 628

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Further Return To Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Question 301-12(5): Assistance To Ed&t Regional Staff On Expanded Roles
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 628

John Todd Keewatin Central

I don't think we've had any formal campaign to advise the business community and others, the public at large, about the changes we've made. I guess that through announcements such as in the Legislative Assembly and through Minister's statements we've tried to communicate it. It may, in fact, be a weak part in this strategy, and I would certainly be prepared to look at it. But in terms of formal advisement, I don't think we've done anything with respect to that. Thank you.