Sorry, yes, I was having a casual conversation with my colleague about fish boxes.
---Laughter
Yes, Mr. Chairman, sorry.
Debates of March 22nd, 1994
This is page numbers 753 - 787 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 development.
Topics
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
John Todd Keewatin Central
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
The Chair Tony Whitford
I understand that you were attempting to bury the hatchet with Mr. Patterson. Would you take the witness chair, please. Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms, for escorting the witnesses to the table. Mr. Minister, would you introduce your witness to the committee.
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my immediate right is Mr. Nicholls, the deputy minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Thank you.
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a quick question. What is the status of the minerals strategy that we have been anxiously awaiting in this Assembly? Thank you.
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
John Todd Keewatin Central
It is at the printer right now, and hopefully we'll be able to table it next week. Thank you.
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. From the time the Standing Committee on Finance completed their report until now, there have been some developments with the northern accord. The Minister earlier this session made a Minister's statement regarding a trip he made to Ottawa when he met with the Minister of Energy and other Ministers about the northern accord. The Minister indicated to us that the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has more or less committed himself to negotiate the northern accord.
I would like to ask the Minister, what does he mean by the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs agreeing to negotiate this northern accord? Does it mean that there are negotiations currently taking place now or negotiations are going to start? If so, what kind of time frame are we looking at for conclusion of the northern accord? Has any agreement been reached with the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs? Thank you.
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
John Todd Keewatin Central
As the honourable Member stated, we did reach an understanding, if you want, with the Honourable Ron Irwin that we will move forward on the transfer of oil and gas and mineral responsibilities. We have an agreement that bureaucrats will discuss the process for it. I think it would be fair to say that our colleague, Mr. Irwin, stressed that we had to do a significant amount of work with the aboriginal groups, whether it is First Nations, as in Treaty 8, or with claimant groups, like the Sahtu and the Gwich'in.
I assured him, as I've assured this House on a number of occasions, that it is our intention to have significant discussions with the aboriginal people with respect to an accord and with the others who are involved as well. There are no negotiations currently under way, we are working out -- my favourite word -- a process. We're feeling out where people sit politically on this issue.
I recognize that this could be a very controversial issue. However, I feel very strongly that our financial viability would be enhanced if we had an accord that protects the interests of all northerners with respect to mineral and oil and gas devolution. Discussions are under way, at a very preliminary stage, with some of the aboriginal groups. Mr. Nicholls will be discussing the process with Mr. Rayner at that level. I will keep this House and all those people who want to be up to date on the developments as we move forward. Because, this is a very, very delicate issue.
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. General comments. Does the committee agree that we go item by item?
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Line By Line
Energy, Mines And Petroleum Resources
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
The Chair Tony Whitford
Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, page 16-10, total O and M, $4.777 million.
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 782
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 783
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 783
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 783
The Chair Tony Whitford
Information item, NWT Power Corporation. Detail of work performed on behalf of third parties. Total department, $38,000.
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 783
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 783
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 783
Samuel Gargan Deh Cho
A review was done on the issue of privatizing the Power Corporation. What is the status on that?
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 783
Committee Motion 33-12(5): To Adopt Recommendation 17, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 783
John Todd Keewatin Central
I am not responsible for that. I should indicate to the honourable Member and colleagues that because I have responsibility for the Public Utilities Board, we have reached an agreement where we don't deal with the NWT Power Corporation situation as we have done in the past, because it could be perhaps viewed as a conflict. That question has to be posed to the Minister responsible, the Premier.