Thank you. Minister Kakfwi, do you have any more to offer to the Member for Kitikmeot? Mr. Kakfwi. I will recognize the Minister of Justice. Just a minute, who is going to respond to this one? Renewable Resources, operations and maintenance, wildlife management, not previously authorized, $220,000. I believe Mr. Kakfwi was to enhance what Mr. Pollard stated. Mr. Kakfwi.
Debates of March 2nd, 1994
Topics
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
The Chair John Ningark
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Chairman, the $125,000 that we are asking for is an item that has been under dispute for some time. This is under the final agreement. It is not clear that the federal government is the party responsible for providing money so that the Inuvialuit will participate in the committee set up under the final agreement. The federal government has refused to provide funding until the final agreement is amended. Because there is no agreement, the federal government has not provided funding. We have provided funding for some time now on the understanding that, at some time or other, the Inuvialuit and the federal government will agree on a suitable amendment. That will mean the federal government in paying these costs. So far, we have been looking at a way to resolve this issue so we, as one party, have no role in the amendment process of the final agreement. If that is what the Member is asking, I have asked the department to look at some options for myself and perhaps to bring to the Minister of Finance and Cabinet a way to try to resolve the issue. It has been ongoing for some time, but that hasn't been finalized yet, whatever options may be available to us.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Ng.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
If it isn't going to be satisfactorily resolved by the federal government assuming responsibility, is your department's initiative going to continue funding this?
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Kakfwi.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Chairman, this type of situation, because we have been in it for a long time, it is not political to say all of a sudden that we are no longer going to provide it, but we are going to try to address that option because it has to be resolved. As long as we provide the funds, there is no incentive on the two parties who are the only parties who can make the amendments to the act. I simply brought it to the attention of the other Ministers. We will be discussing it in Cabinet in the next while as to what, if anything, we can do to try to resolve this issue. My understanding right now is that we are not going to suddenly withdraw our role as we are playing it right now, but we will consider it in the long term.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. I feel that, since we are the third party in the agreement process, we have the Migratory Act within the country, we are the central agency within the jurisdiction of Inuvialuit, surely, somehow, we have to pay for something. Renewable Resources, operations and maintenance, wildlife management, not previously authorized, $220,000. Agreed? Mr. Zoe.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
Henry Zoe North Slave
On that same issue my colleague from Kitikmeot is raising, Mr. Chairman, my question would be to the Minister of Finance. We understand that the Department of Renewable Resources will be taking a look at options which are available to them but, as the Minister of Finance, what is he doing in this regard, particularly when we are in a bad time of fiscal restraint right now. I wonder if the Minister of Finance has taken any measures at this time to address this particular issue.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Minister of Finance.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, I think that is the purpose of asking the Department of Renewable Resources to come forward with an options paper to give FMB and Cabinet some ideas of how this could be, because paying out the $125,000 a year, which is clearly the responsibility of the federal government, is somewhat distressing to us. As Mr. Kakfwi says, there are some problems with the agreement that have to be worked out. I am hoping that Mr. Kakfwi will come forward with an options paper that will set out, in no uncertain terms, how we can go about not having to pay for the $125,000 and make the federal government do that and, at the same time, honour the agreement between these two parties. If we are successful in doing that, then I would be most anxious to try and go back over the last five years and try and get those funds back that we paid out on behalf of the federal government. I am waiting on the options paper, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Wildlife management, not previously authorized, $220,000. Agreed?
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 2nd, 1994
Page 495
The Chair John Ningark
Qujannamiik. Total department, $220,000. Agreed?
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Municipal And Community Affairs
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 495
The Chair John Ningark
Page 11, Municipal and Community Affairs, operations and maintenance, community
works and community planning, special warrants, $251,000. Mr. Koe.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
Fred Koe Inuvik
I am curious. Here is an instance of the community, which is coming off the high temperature hot water system and, again, it is a process that is supposed to save money. To me, this indicates somewhere that there is a lack of planning if we are approving a supp estimate to a program that is supposed to save us money. It is costing us another $251,000. What kind of planning went into this withdrawal of hot water from one building and then all the costs are now put on to another building? I am curious as to the planning that went on in Iqaluit in this regard.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
The Chair John Ningark
Qujannamiik. Mr. Minister.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, there was quite a bit of planning that went on, but I think in December 1991, there was a major user of high temperature hot water who put in their own boilers and got off the system. I think that threw a wrench into the works. There were increased costs to the remainder of the people who were using that particular system. It was ascertained, after some hassling back and forth with the town of Iqaluit, that we were, although not clearly legally liable, for the most part, we were liable. This is a one-time cost to reimburse the town for those particular expenditures, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
The Chair John Ningark
Community works and capital planning. Mr. Koe.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
Fred Koe Inuvik
It is of concern to me. I've been on record that I'm concerned about the similar potential impact in the town of Inuvik. All the major buildings are planning to come off a hot water temperature system and I'll go on record now that if the plan happens the way it is in the five year capital plan, the last building to be on the system is going to be the existing hospital. So, four or five years down the road, they will get stuck with all the costs of the hot water system. That's why I raised the issue of planning and coordination between all government departments and all the people are on the current system. It has to be coordinated so that one government department doesn't get stung with a huge bill and comes forward with a supp to cover the costs. That's why I raised the issue. Thank you.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Yes, that is a point that you like to make. There is no question. Mr. Minister, I think you wanted to respond.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, I've heard Mr. Koe mention this in committee, personally, and also on the floor of this House. When we look at this $250,000, I think he's pointing out a lesson to us and I'm taking notice of what he's saying. I will recommend to Madam Premier that she establish a lead department and that the lead department put together a strategy, in conjunction with the people who are the users in the town of Inuvik, for an orderly leading off of that system so that we don't run into this problem. I take the Member's comments and will make recommendations to Madam Premier.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. I'm sure the honourable Member for Inuvik is very pleased with your
answer. Community works and capital planning, special warrants, $251,000.
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 496
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Municipal operations and assessment, not previously authorized, $635,000. Mr. Koe.