This is page numbers 643 - 675 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.

Topics

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The question is taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Mr. Speaker, recent articles in the press have indicated the federal government is reviewing the royalty regime for diamond mines and these same reports have indicated that BHP, the company thought most likely to proceed with a mine in the new future, is opposed to any change in the royalty regime. Has the Government of the Northwest Territories been involved in discussing diamond royalties with the federal government?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's time the federal government paid attention to this royalty regime. We've been telling them for the last year and a half that the current royalty regime as it stands in terms of mining in the Northwest Territories is, to put it bluntly, pathetic.

At the present time, we are working with the federal government in an effort to look at a new more lucrative royalty regime that will bring new revenues both to ourselves and to the federal government and clearly some of this has been specifically driven in relationship to the exploration and the potential of a BHP diamond mine up in the Lac de Gras area. Thank you.

Return To Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. Since the Minister indicates that the GNWT has been involved with the federal government in discussing a new royalty regime, could the Minister share with the House what this government's position is on what royalties should be for a diamond mine?

Supplementary To Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

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Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

(Microphone turned off)...we are just initiating discussions now in relationship to what kind of royalty regime would be more conducive for the Northwest Territories and for the federal government. There are sort of bureaucratic discussions currently taking place.

With respect to royalties, particularly as it relates to diamonds, we did recruit two consulting companies to provide us with some options that we could look at in terms of the kinds of royalty regimes we want. We just recently received them from, I believe Price Waterhouse is one of the companies and I believe Peat Marwick, and we're evaluating that at the present time.

One of the difficulties we have, and I've said it in this House many times, is we still don't have the responsibility for mines at this time; it lies with the federal government. It's slightly complicated that they've decided at this late a date, considering the discussions that have gone on with respect to devolution, that they want to look at the royalty regime. While I'm a little concerned that it's coming in after the fact, I'm at least, on the other hand, pleased that they're finally paying some attention to what we believe is a fairly inadequate royalty regime under the current scheme. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
Question 336-12(7): GNWT's Involvement In Discussions Re Diamond Royalties
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to Mr. Todd in his capacity as Minister of Transportation and ED&T. The Minister announced last year that he was going to establish ADMs for Nunavut in both those departments. I would like to ask the Minister, is it his intention to do so in the coming fiscal year? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 337-12(7): Time Frame For Establishment Of Transportation And Ed&t Adm Positions For Nunavut
Question 337-12(7): Time Frame For Establishment Of Transportation And Ed&t Adm Positions For Nunavut
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my intention to appoint two assistant deputy ministers in each of these departments for the east and for the west, and I'm optimistic that we'll have those appointments made by July 1, 1995. Thank you.

Return To Question 337-12(7): Time Frame For Establishment Of Transportation And Ed&t Adm Positions For Nunavut
Question 337-12(7): Time Frame For Establishment Of Transportation And Ed&t Adm Positions For Nunavut
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some time ago, Mr. Speaker, I gave notice to one of the Ministers that I would ask this question. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Public Works and Services, regarding government employees' parking lots. During the last session of this Assembly, I asked the Minister whether the government employees who are parking in the government parking lots would be charged economic rents based on Yellowknife economic rents. I understood at that time, the economic rent was about $150 a month and the government employees were paying in the neighbourhood of $20 to $30 a month. I wonder if the Minister gave direction to his department to charge employees economic rent for government parking lots, as he said he would.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member did give me notice when I wasn't the Minister of Public Works and I've misplaced his note, so I'll take his question as notice and get back to him. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance a question. Early in the term of this government, following the Strength at Two Levels report, I believe the government commissioned a study on government travel and sought advice on how government travel could be better managed and organized so as to make better use of our scarce public dollars. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance whatever became of that initiative, have there been any changes made to the procedures of organizing government travel following the recommendations of this Strength at Two Levels report? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
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John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that report was done and has been presented to us. It's still active and there has been no substantial change made in our method of travel at the present time or the way in which we conduct ourselves in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, I believe the report was commissioned and completed several years ago. We are now in the last year of the life of this government. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance -- who I know is very enthusiastic about making changes and saving money on the millions we spend on government travel -- is he committed to do anything on this issue before the end of the term of this current government? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

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John Pollard Hay River

Yes, I'm still interested in doing something in this regard, Mr. Chairman, but I should tell the House that it has great ramifications, changes that we might want to make. It is sort of like throwing a rock into a pool, you don't know where the ripples are going to go. It could affect the travel industry; travel agents; it could affect aircraft travel frequency in communities if we chose to go a particular way with a particular airline, it could influence prices, not only for freight but for passenger services. So, I'm still keenly interested in doing something, but I'm also very aware of the fact that this is something that, if not handled properly, could affect communities and the economy of the Northwest Territories. I'm trying to proceed with caution, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
Question 339-12(7): Status Of Recommendation Re Government Travel
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.