This is page numbers 459 - 488 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

Further Return To Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 467

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, we have a need to review all previous commitments, particularly ones that were started by the federal government. As the Member knows, the assistance to victims program was started by the federal government some years ago. They provided all the funding. The federal government has now long since left and is no longer providing any funding.

The number of people who are turning to this program is escalating. That is, the potential liability of the program is going to increase substantially over the next few years. In light of the fiscal outlook of this government, it was one of the areas that I recommended and put forward as a reduction for future government. But it appears that the initiatives we have under community justice, under community transfer initiatives and under the community wellness strategy, are all elements that we had thought would be positive elements that would alleviate the amount of social problems, the amount of crime committed and lend itself to alleviate the need for these types of programs.

As well, we had visited the question of whether the state is responsible for victims of crime. That is a very difficult, philosophical question to address. It is a question that all of us have to address before we get into the fundamentals of this program.

At this time, it's still on the books so we will be doing a review in Cabinet as to whether we will proceed with this at this time. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 467

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Lewis, your final supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 467

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's always a debate as to how much the state should be responsible for various social programs, either in terms of causing them within our society or fixing them after they've been committed. Is this one more example of the federal government off-loading programs that they are instrumental in initiating, but then walking away from them once the big public demand is there?

Supplementary To Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 467

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 467

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Yes, Mr. Speaker, this is a classic case of the government taking political merit for initiating a program that costs money and providing some initial seed money and then withdrawing to the detriment of this government. We are reviewing the situation, as I said.

Many other jurisdictions -- I can't be specific, but about half of the jurisdictions in this country, have withdrawn or begun to withdraw this particular program because of the cost, and also because of the fundamental question on whether or not the state is responsible for victims and the costs incurred by victims as a result of crimes committed against them. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Question 245-12(7): Status Of Funding For Victims' Services Programs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 467

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Finance. Since the federal budget came down about one week ago now and we've already been made aware that our territorial budget is going to be cut by $8 million this year and $50 million next year, has the Minister of Finance considered what ways he's going to address this $8 million cut, taking into consideration this budget that we're currently addressing is already going to put us in a $38 million deficit? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 467

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the $8 million is already factored into the figures that are before the House today for this particular year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 467

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

That's good to hear. Since that is already factored into this year's budget and we're looking at a $38 million deficit -- recognizing the government does have a supp reserve and that I'm not on the Standing Committee on Finance -- I would like to ask what is left of our supp reserve within the territorial government?

Supplementary To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, the deficit for this year is a little less than $14 million. There is also $30 million in supp reserves that is not allocated. So, in effect, we have a little bit of a cushion, Mr. Speaker, but I know there are going to be requests from departments this year. I know there are going to be requests because of inflationary pressures, et cetera. I should tell you that that $30 million will soon be a shade under $27 million because we've taken the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance about financing the wellness program out of supplementary appropriations. So we have a little less than $27 million not allocated at the present time, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I'm somewhat concerned. Looking over the documents last year, one supp request alone brought forth by this government was in the area of $72 million, if I recall correctly. There's no doubt, this $27 million supp reserve could go fairly quickly, particularly when you take into account that we've hardly had any snow this winter so we could have another dry fire season. I would like to ask the Minister whether there is anything in place that would not deplete the supp reserve, without good justification, recognizing that it should be needed for areas to be addressed only in time of critical need. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, as soon as the budget has passed in the House, it is my intention to sit down with the Premier and then sit down with the Financial Management Board and discuss the very issue that the Member raises, which is the parameters under which you can draw down on the supp reserve. She raises a good point; that is, with the policy that exists with Renewable Resources right now, they do not have to come back to the Financial Management Board to spend money to fight fires in the Northwest Territories. That is what has been hitting us very, very hard. So the Financial Management Board has asked that that policy be brought back to the board so we can see and set some limits as to what can be fought and when it should be fought.

I would hope that would be in place before the end of this particular session. As I say, as soon as the budget is passed, then the board would set parameters under which the supps could be drawn down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thanks for that reply. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, since he is going to set parameters with regard to what this supp reserve could be used for, would he be able to advise Members what areas request supplementary reserve funding. Is it possible that Members could be made aware so we can be assured that the supplementary reserves are going to be used only in time of critical need? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

John Pollard Hay River

It's an excellent question, Mr. Speaker. I don't have a problem in asking the board. I will certainly recommend to the board that we release to Members of the House, particularly the Standing Committee on Finance, the rules and regulations under which we would release supplementary appropriations.

Mr. Speaker, the other problem, of course, is that this is an election year and people who are sitting on Cabinet right now may not be there after the fall. My concern is that other expenses are allocated through the year and, certainly, we would have to look at banking days so we can be fair to the next government and not have them come in and find that all the supp reserves have been depleted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Question 246-12(7): Initiatives To Counter Federal Budget Reductions
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Question 247-12(7): Government Staff Housing Category
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

March 5th, 1995

Page 468

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of DPW. Can the Minister tell me whether or not GNWT staff housing is considered subsidized housing?

Question 247-12(7): Government Staff Housing Category
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Government Services and Public Works, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 247-12(7): Government Staff Housing Category
Question 247-12(7): Government Staff Housing Category
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 468

John Pollard Hay River

I could not refer to it as subsidized housing, although if you looked at it in the scale of housing, one might view it as subsidized housing, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.