Agreed.
---Agreed
Debates of April 25th, 1995
Topics
Bill 22: Forgiveness Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1033
Some Hon. Members
Bill 22: Forgiveness Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1033
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you. Bill 22 is now ready for third reading. We are concluded with Bill 22. Does the committee agree that the Minister remain to deal with the next item, which is Bill 23?
Bill 22: Forgiveness Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1033
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
April 24th, 1995
Page 1033
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you. Does the Minister have some opening comments? Mr. Minister.
Minister's Introductory Remarks
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1033
John Pollard Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the focus of the Write-Off of Debts Act, 1994-95, Bill 23, is to authorize the write-off of certain debts listed in the schedule of the act. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, the write-off of assets or debts exceeding $20,000 for the government and most boards and agencies must receive Legislative Assembly approval. The write-offs being proposed in this act will not require a new appropriation. The write-offs will be charged against allowances for bad debts, which was established in previous department budgets at the time it was determined that collection of the debts would be unlikely.
Mr. Chairman, I wish to emphasize that the write-off of debts does not relieve a debtor of the liability for repayment or mean that the government will not continue to attempt to collect the outstanding amount. Through continued reviews by staff, future recovery of the debts may still be achieved. In addition, we track the principals of each fund for future credit reference.
Mr. Chairman, either I or the appropriate Minister, are prepared to answer Members' questions on these proposed write-offs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Is the representative for the Standing Committee on Finance prepared to make some comments? The chair recognizes Mr. Zoe.
Standing Committee On Finance Comments
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Henry Zoe North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Finance reviewed Bill 23 on April 5, 1995. Members discussed the bill and agreed it should be moved into committee of the whole for further discussion and action.
The total number and amount of debt to be written off is quite small and in keeping with amounts written off in previous years. Members will take this opportunity in committee of the whole to raise any specific questions they may have. Thank you.
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Zoe. The Minister is already at the witness table. Are there general comments on the bill?
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
An Hon. Member
Clause by clause.
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
The Chair Tony Whitford
Clause by clause has been called for. First of all, I will recognize Ms. Mike.
General Comments
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
I have two questions. I would like to know who Karl Victor Gustaw is and who the owner of Guided Arctic Expeditions Ltd. is.
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Gustaw is a person who is indebted to the Government of the Northwest Territories for money he received under a student loan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you. I think there were two parts to the question, Mr. Minister. Who is the owner of Guided Arctic Expeditions Ltd.? Mr. Minister.
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, Guided Arctic Expeditions Ltd. operated out of Inuvik in the Northwest Territories and the directors of the company were Tom Beaudoin, Albert Elias and Knute Lonnigal. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Clause By Clause
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
The Chair Tony Whitford
Does the committee agree that Bill 23, Write-off of Debts Act, 1994-95, is now ready for third reading?
Bill 23: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1994-95
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1034
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed