This is page numbers 853 - 883 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 recall.

Topics

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not certain, Mr. Speaker, if there is a regulation with regard to this particular matter. I believe it's potentially part of the fire code. So that I'm absolutely clear on the matter, Mr. Speaker, I'll take the question as notice and respond appropriately to the honourable Member.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister of Finance a question with regard to the interim appropriation bill that was passed last week. Mr. Speaker, the interim appropriation bill asked for funding from this government for $368 million to operate from April 1st to June 30th. The act was required to defray the operation and maintenance expenses of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, within this amount, $83.817 million was approved for the Department of Health and Social Services and the health and services development area had $21.121 million approved.

I'd like to ask the Minister of Finance, why aren't Metis health benefits a part of that amount, particularly when it is in the main estimates? A total of $75 million was presented to this House to be approved in the main estimates. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, normally when we ask for a supply bill, an interim appropriation, until we get the main estimates through the House, we ask departments to come forward with enough money to operate for the period of time specified; in this case it's three months. We also say to departments that they must have in that particular bill, the money required to pay for any contractual agreements that they have, and that is what the Financial Administration Act states. So, it is not normal to put new initiatives. It is not normal to put into an interim appropriation things that have not yet been discussed by the House, or as I say, are new initiatives in a particular department.

It merely is enough money to make the government operate while consideration is being given to the main estimates. So that is why the Premier answered the way she did; it is not normal to have those other things in an interim appropriation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn't aware that new initiatives are not included in the Interim Appropriation Act once we pass and ask for the supp. I was under the impression that a percentage of the main estimates is included in the overall Interim Appropriation Act. So, I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, will Metis people of the Northwest Territories be eligible -- since he announced in the budget that the Metis benefits come into effect April 1st -- for reimbursement in the event that they expend funding for medical services? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, when I made that statement, I was going on the assumption that we would have had the main estimates passed through this House right now so that we could begin doing those things that we said we would do in the budget, on April 1st this year. So, I didn't realize that we were going to have this problem and that we were going to be past the deadline. I was probably being a little eager in saying that this would be in place by April 1st.

Mr. Speaker, there has yet to be an arrangement worked out with the Metis Nation with regards to how this is going to be handled. The Minister of Health has some very good ideas on how this can be handled. I would venture to suggest that, until such time as we get this issue passed through this House, there will not be retroactive payments to Metis people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What a disappointment to Metis people of the NWT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Finance -- once the main estimates are passed with the $1 million proposal they are placing forth for Metis health benefits -- will he consider retroactive payments for Metis benefits, for expenses, that have been incurred by Metis people of the Northwest Territories? Will he consider reimbursement? Thank you.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Can I ask, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, if you could rephrase the question? I believe the question is hypothetical. Perhaps the question should be if the budget is approved. Can you rephrase your question.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

I don't believe that it is hypothetical. But, Mr. Speaker, I know I shouldn't question your ruling. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance whether or not he will

consider giving Metis people reimbursement of funds for the expenses they incurred as of April 1st. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, I am not quite clear on the question you have asked because you are asking if it could be retroactive. I guess I will have to ask the Minister in addition...That the question should be that it becomes retroactive if the budget is approved. I didn't hear that, I am not too clear on the question. Could you clarify yourself.

Supplementary To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Finance consider reimbursement for Metis people who have expended funds on health expenses, will he consider reimbursement to be as of April 1, 1995? Will he consider reimbursement for these expenses incurred?

Supplementary To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

John Pollard Hay River

No, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, final supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister of Finance why?

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, as I said, somewhat naively, I thought this would all be done by April 1st, it isn't. Until such time as this House approves that particular budget, and until such time as this House approves the bill -- that is, the main appropriations for the Government of the Northwest Territories -- we won't be able to start doing some of those things. The Minister of Health has yet to do some work with regard to how the program is going to be administered, et cetera, et cetera. So, I think rather than just making wild commitments saying that we will go retroactively, I think the realistic way to do it is to say no, until such time as the program is in place and it is up and running; then we will deal with those Metis people and give them those benefits from that day forth. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Question 428-12(7): Inclusion Of Metis Health Benefits Funding In Interim Supply Bill
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Todd.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

Page 870

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a petition I would like to table. Petition No. 5-12(7) is signed by 421 residents of Rankin Inlet requesting that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide funding for an additional 2.5 nursing staff at the Rankin health centre to ensure a full complement of staff at the facility. Thank you.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

Page 870

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

Page 870

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Kakfwi.