This is page numbers 369 - 399 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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 chairman.

Question 202-12(7): Status Of Gymnasium For Pelly Bay School
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 28th, 1995

Page 378

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you kindly, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the honourable Premier. The honourable Premier will recall the meeting we had in Cambridge Bay with the Kitikmeot Divisional Board of Education as well as a representative from the hamlet council of Pelly Bay. That meeting was about infrastructure money to be used for the gymnasium attached to the school. The Premier indicated at that time that she would communicate with the Honourable Richard Nerysoo about the concern. Mr. Speaker, my question is could she update me on the concern. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Return To Question 202-12(7): Status Of Gymnasium For Pelly Bay School
Question 202-12(7): Status Of Gymnasium For Pelly Bay School
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, immediately upon my return, I did talk to Mr. Nerysoo about the issue. Mr. Nerysoo indicated that he would look at the request by the Keewatin regional education board, who wished to change the project over from Gjoa Haven to Pelly Bay and do it in a different sequence. He also indicated that he would look at the issue of the expansion beyond what was already projected because that was an additional request. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 202-12(7): Status Of Gymnasium For Pelly Bay School
Question 202-12(7): Status Of Gymnasium For Pelly Bay School
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Safety and Public Services. I think the Minister heard my statement about the gasoline price increases in Iqaluit which appear to be more than those justified by the recent federal government fuel tax increase plus GST. I believe consumer affairs is within the Minister's responsibility. Does the Minister have any powers to look into this matter? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the information of the honourable Member, the matter of prices relating to food stuff was an issue that was raised previously by the former Member of Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk. We did raise that concern on his behalf with a particular company so we do have a vehicle to intervene.

Generally speaking, the regulatory authority remains with the federal government, but I would be prepared to help and intervene on behalf of the honourable Member if he could provide me with the detailed information so that I might respond positively to his concerns.

Return To Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's offer to make enquiries. I have written the Minister today about my concerns. Do I understand correctly that the Minister is saying his officials could make enquiries but lack any powers to order or intervene, so as to correct any unfairness that they may find? Is that correct, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Presently, we don't have legislation in place for us to intervene, but there is existing federal legislation that allows us to raise questions. So I will have my officials check into the particular matter the honourable Member raises and maybe we can identify the legislative options that we could use to deal with this specific issue to his satisfaction.

Further Return To Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Question 203-12(7): Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Public Works and Services. About two days ago, we heard news that in Repulse Bay there was an oil spill from the Power Corporation's power plant fuel tanks. Since this is urgent, I would like to ask the Minister to update the House on what has happened. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for Government Services and Public Works, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 204-12(7): Status Of Oil Spill In Repulse Bay
Question 204-12(7): Status Of Oil Spill In Repulse Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was the Power Corporation's tanks that experienced the loss. It was in excess of 100,000 litres. It has been contained. There is deep snow there so they are trying to get the snow out of the way to clean it up. The weight of the snow may have been the cause of a flex joint or a flex pipe breaking, they are looking at that right now.

Our immediate concern, Mr. Speaker, is would Repulse have enough fuel to get through until resupply in August or early September. There was a stroke of luck this season, Mr. Speaker, and that is that the airlines have not been fuelling up in Repulse this past year. So there is 20 per cent less call for fuel from the tanks. So we find ourselves in a position that even with this large spill, between the Power Corporation and DPW, we will be able to keep the community going without any hardship until resupply in August or September. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 204-12(7): Status Of Oil Spill In Repulse Bay
Question 204-12(7): Status Of Oil Spill In Repulse Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance. Here in the north inflation continues to rise, prices continue to increase. Mr. Speaker, now we are aware that gasoline prices are going up. This is very important to the easterners who don't have other ways of transportation and depend on gasoline. With the price increase along with the rental increases becoming effective April 1st, it seems that the federal government is out to get the people in the north.

Mr. Speaker, it was through the federal government that the communities in the north were eventually organized and formed. But it seems to me that inflation is never-ending and forever increasing. My question to the Minister of Finance is concerning inflation and cutbacks. Are these cutbacks and inflation rates set by the federal government or do you also decide in making the cutbacks and inflation rates go up? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, with the increase in gasoline taxes, that was put on by the federal government. We had no input or decision-making process whereby we had input into that. So we cannot take the credit or the blame for that, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, increases in prices such as that -- increases in the cost of airline tickets, the increase in the cost of doing business in the Northwest Territories, any cost increases -- those things fuel inflation. Although inflation across Canada has been relatively modest for the last few years, it is those kinds of price increases that do fuel inflation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

Supplementary To Question 205-12(7): Increase To
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Gasoline Tax

Supplementary To Question 205-12(7): Increase To
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For those of us who live in the smaller isolated communities, there is very little income and there is very little means of transportation. Unless you use barges to supply the communities, this is going to be a concern. When do you figure the gasoline prices will go up? We need the gasoline for transportation and it is difficult for people, as it is, to obtain gasoline. So when will these gasoline rates increase, Mr. Speaker?

Supplementary To Question 205-12(7): Increase To
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, the effective date of the increase by the federal government on the gasoline tax was February 28th of this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.