This is page numbers 581 - 608 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 communities.

Topics

Return To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 591

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the budget that you see before you remains the same. There will be some minor adjustments. There may be some write-down required with the settlement of the health billings dispute. I am not sure on that. I haven't got all the numbers yet. The budget that you have before you right now for this fiscal year, 1995-96, will remain the same.

The problem, Mr. Speaker, is going to occur in 1996-97. That is where we lose $58 million again from the amount that we would have normally received in that particular year in the grant from Canada. That will put the next government, in putting and O and M and capital budget together for 1996-97, in the bad position of having to look at a $100 million shortfall in that fiscal year.

So, Mr. Speaker, Cabinet has been wrestling with the approach to take with the next government. If we don't start to look at some measures now, we may just be bringing that government up against a really hard wall. Cabinet has requested and received documents that spell out to them all the programs and revenue in some detail at the task level. Cabinet is reviewing those Ministers individually. We will be meeting shortly to look at those particular things to see if there is something we should be doing between now and the end of our term, in order to prepare the next government for at least having a shot at balancing the budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 591

Fred Koe Inuvik

I would like to thank the Minister for that response. As he mentioned, the impact may not hit us in this current budget that we are reviewing, but will in the following year. If the number the Minister used, $100 million, is correct, that will be a big whack in one year. Is the Minister taking any steps now to start the process? Are you making any cuts that will impact what we do next year?

Supplementary To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 591

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are going to lose that $58 million and there is usually $30 million to $40 million in forced growth and the price of things go up. So I shouldn't say that $100 million is a hard number. We can say to departments that you are going to have to eat these inflationary increases. That would bring that number down. Nevertheless, it does require us to start working right now. At the present time, FMBS is putting together some outlines of rules and regulations for this government to be able to come forward with supplementary appropriations. I think Mrs. Marie-Jewell has asked to see a copy of those rules and regulations when they are laid down, and I said I would provide them. I think SCOF wants a copy as well, and I said I would provide it to them. So, that's the first thing that we're doing as

a government, and that's to make sure that our spending doesn't run away this year.

The second thing that I'm extremely worried about is if we have a bad firefighting year again. We should make some decisions very, very early on, whether or not we're going to give Renewable Resources the kind of policy they have right now, which is virtually a blank cheque and to report back to us about how many fires they fought and how much it cost. That's another cost containment measure that I think will do us well to get under control. We're getting full cooperation from Renewable Resources and they will be providing us with an update on a policy very shortly.

Individually, as I said, Ministers are beginning to look at their programs and become more familiar with other ministerial programs. What will happen very shortly is that this government will look at the list and repriorize, if we have to, what our goals and objectives are and what the reflection of this Legislative Assembly is with regard to priorities in the Northwest Territories. From that, Mr. Speaker, we will make some decisions on if there are impacts we can make on our budget this year that will put the next government on better footing.

I would anticipate that by June, we will be on our way to making decisions in that particular area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the recommendations from the Standing Committee on Finance was for this government to begin preparing a transition plan to do some of the things that the Minister just stated. We have now set the election date in this House and I would like to know what the Minister is currently doing in developing a transition plan.

Supplementary To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the responsibility for the transition plan rests with the Premier and her office. Finance and FMBS are part of the document that deals with the fiscal issues and we will be making recommendations to the Premier who will eventually take that plan to Cabinet. I also have a commitment to meet, I believe in the third week of August or some time late in August, for the last time with the Standing Committee on Finance to bring them up to date on where we are, fiscally, before going into the election. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Question 301-12(7): Possibility Of Further Budget Cuts For 1995-96
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked some general questions of the Minister of Public Works about negotiated contracts, and he said he would be pleased to respond if I had a more detailed proposal. I would now like to ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker, if he's aware of an offer from Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Kakivak Association to provide leased premises for the planned new area office of Renewable Resources in Iqaluit, in the building they're proposing to construct on prime land in the downtown of Iqaluit this summer.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm aware of the offer from these companies and there has been discussion between myself and the Minister of Renewable Resources with regard to this project. Thank you.

Return To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he's aware that the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Kakivak Association would be very pleased to negotiate a lease with the Department of Public Works and Services and that, to encourage this new corporation to get a start in real estate and to develop this prime land, the Iqaluit Chamber of Commerce has indicated it's not opposed to a negotiated lease. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

John Pollard Hay River

Yes, I'm aware of those facts, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he's aware that, with the help of Nunasi Corporation and a northern architect and a northern construction firm, it is hoped that phase I of this building will be put up this summer and, therefore, Cabinet approval -- if there is to be a negotiated contract -- must be expedited in order to meet sealift deadlines for this year? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 592

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 593

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, if the Department of Renewable Resources decides this is the way they want to go and they come to DPW to get us to negotiate, if Cabinet approves, we will recognize those time and supply constraints that this project would be affected by and would do our utmost to conclude negotiations in order to meet the sealift deadlines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 593

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 593

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm very encouraged by all that the Minister has said. I guess I would now like to gird my loins and ask him...

---Laughter

Screw up my courage -- whatever is the appropriate expression -- and ask him, in light of all the above and the support that is there, is the Minister prepared to recommend -- provided there is a fair and reasonable price -- that a contract be negotiated with the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Kakivak Association to provide for the area office requirements of Renewable Resources in Iqaluit? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 593

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Question 302-12(7): Proposal To Lease Office Space To GNWT In Iqaluit
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 593

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Renewable Resources has advised me that they are aware of this project. They are checking with two other corporations in Iqaluit. When Renewable Resources comes back and tells me that they've done their investigation or polling, as it were, and this is the corporation they recommend to me that they negotiate with, I will put it to Cabinet, receive their instructions and, if I'm given the green light, I will go and negotiate -- and hard, I will tell you -- this contract immediately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.