This is page numbers 913 - 942 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.

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Supplementary To Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating Nwt Minerals Regime
Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating NWT Minerals Regime
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 922

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating Nwt Minerals Regime
Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating NWT Minerals Regime
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 922

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reality is that the current regime is, at least in my opinion and I believe in the opinion of Cabinet, totally inadequate. As I said, we're striving hard to reach an arrangement with the First Nations and aboriginal groups where we can collectively go forward to the federal government to reach an appropriate transfer of responsibility. With this transfer of responsibility, we believe that will give us the leverage necessary to restructure a royalty and tax regime that is fairer to all northerners and First Nations and is competitive with the industry itself. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating Nwt Minerals Regime
Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating NWT Minerals Regime
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 922

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating Nwt Minerals Regime
Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating NWT Minerals Regime
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 922

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister and his department are currently working on the northern accord which includes minerals and oil and gas in the north. I would like to get the Government of the Northwest Territories to administer that and work with the First Nations to achieve this. Once that is done, then the department is working on an internal strategy on how to revamp the current royalty system. Today, Mr. Speaker, from the media this morning I heard a mining executive saying that, instead of trying to squeeze the last drop out of the mining industry, it is better to create more mines. I would like to ask the Minister about the work they're doing to develop a new mining strategy for the royalty regime. I wonder if he could tell the House how he and his department are developing this strategy. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating Nwt Minerals Regime
Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating NWT Minerals Regime
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 922

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating Nwt Minerals Regime
Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating NWT Minerals Regime
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I used the word "competitive." Let me assure that whatever royalty regime we put in place will not impede environmentally-sound development in the mining industry. I want to assure the honourable Member and I certainly want to assure the mining industry that if they think the current royalty regime should stay in place as we move forward in the development of major diamond mines, et cetera, then quite frankly, they better revise their thinking. I've said that consistently and I have no intention of changing it.

We do realize that industry has to be competitive but anyone who is suggesting that the current royalties, which are totally inadequate, are okay, is wrong. We clearly need to make sure that any benefits that are taken out of this country, whether it is gold, lead, zinc or diamonds, that there is some return for investment, if you want, to aboriginal northerners, First Nations, and public government. That's my position. Thank you.

---Applause

Further Return To Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating Nwt Minerals Regime
Question 446-12(7): Status Of Updating NWT Minerals Regime
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. I think Members of this House support the Minister's approach on that. Just so northerners really know some comparative values of our royalty regime in the Northwest Territories and royalty regimes in other parts of Canada, perhaps the Minister could give us some comparisons, if he has them available. Perhaps he can table some comparisons between the royalty regime here in the Northwest Territories and that of other provinces and territories in the country. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that's an important question. I would like to elaborate on that by saying we're prepared to table not only tax regimes that are in Canada but tax regimes in the rest of the world, whether it's Chile, Australia or Brazil. These mining companies, and we're very sympathetic to them, are international in their focus in terms of where they get the best return for investment. I would suggest to you again that the current tax regime we have here is simply inadequate. We have to ensure that it's competitive so that the mining industry can move forward in its development and get a reasonable return for its investment for their shareholders. But, surely to goodness, all northerners have to equally get a return on investment, for taking these valuable resources out of our country. Thank you.

Return To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to confirm that the Minister will then table those comparisons here in the House.

Supplementary To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. While we don't currently have the legislative responsibility for oil, gas and minerals, we have done an enormous amount of work, internally, as to the options and looked at tax regimes and value-added components of this industry, right across the continent. I would be only too happy, Mr. Speaker, to table as quickly as I can the kinds of regimes that are in place both in Canada and across the continent. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

I think it would be very useful to put it into some context so people can really see the royalty regime here compared to the rest of the country. If the information is available, I wonder if the Minister could table in this House the exact revenues, or as close an approximation as the Minister can find, presently received in royalties by the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That question was asked earlier last week by Mr. Antoine and I would be only too happy to table it, but I would also like to tell the Member that it is $13.4 million. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Question 447-12(7): Comparisons Of Royalty Regimes In Other Jurisdictions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 923

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 Justice -- who I'm glad to see is back in the House -- about the legal interpreting program. Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, there are really four positions for Inuktitut terminologists now vacant which have not been refilled and there are two other positions scheduled to terminate June 1st. I would like to ask the Minister if he has consulted with judges, the defence bar, Crown prosecutors and legal aid clinics -- all of whom depend on this vital service -- about the major cutbacks and changes proposed for the legal interpreting program. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 448-12(7): Consultation With Legal Profession Re Cuts To Legal Interpreter Services
Question 448-12(7): Consultation With Legal Profession Re Cuts To Legal Interpreter Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 924

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the major cuts that the Member is referring to were made, not by this government, but by the federal government. As I said last week, the reductions we're making in the Department of Justice are reductions we feel are manageable and do not impede the ability of the government or courts to carry on with the levels of service that they expect. Thank you.

Return To Question 448-12(7): Consultation With Legal Profession Re Cuts To Legal Interpreter Services
Question 448-12(7): Consultation With Legal Profession Re Cuts To Legal Interpreter Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 924

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 448-12(7): Consultation With Legal Profession Re Cuts To Legal Interpreter Services
Question 448-12(7): Consultation With Legal Profession Re Cuts To Legal Interpreter Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 924

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, I note the Minister is confident that the proposed changes which were at least implemented by his department -- it was his department that gave notice to these employees -- won't affect the administration of justice. I would like to again ask the Minister, has he talked to judges, the defence bar, Crown prosecutors, and legal aid clinics about whether they think these proposed changes will affect the administration of justice? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 448-12(7): Consultation With Legal Profession Re Cuts To Legal Interpreter Services
Question 448-12(7): Consultation With Legal Profession Re Cuts To Legal Interpreter Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 924

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.