Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status

In the Legislative Assembly on June 12th, 1995. See this topic in context.

Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1255

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Public. Works and it has to do with the application of the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op to receive status under the BIP. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister knows, the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op is 100 per cent northern owned and operated. It provides competition to OK Economy and keeps the price of food down in Yellowknife, to the benefit of everyone.

The Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op has been refused BIP status since 1988 because there is a clause in BIP that says a northern supplier must be accessible to the general public. My question to the Minister is, why was that clause put into BIP criteria and how does that relate to Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op?

Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1255

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for Public Works, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1255

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the business incentive policy was first developed, it was to encourage businesses to develop in the Northwest Territories and encourage businesses to branch out into small communities. Also, the intent of the business incentive policy is that businesses carry a stock open to the general public. That's the reason the clause is in the policy. Thank you.

Return To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1255

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1255

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from this Minister we've heard many references about the spirit and intent of BIP. Surely, the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op is as northern as any business under BIP. It seems to me that the clause that was put in 1988 was to stop home storefront or telephone call operations, and that doesn't apply to the reality of the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op. So my question to the Minister is, will the Minister, as he has done on other occasions, look at the rather rigid policy to see if the spirit and intent would allow the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op to be eligible for BIP preference for food. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

June 11th, 1995

Page 1255

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1255

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will look at the spirit and intent of the BIP and see if we can readdress the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op issue. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1255

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Ms. Mike.