The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On June 5th, in response to questions I asked the Minister of Public Works and Services about the residency requirement to obtain BIP northern preference status, the Minister for Public Works and Services stated, in effect, that as long as a person owns and maintains a residence, whether it is lived in or not, he is considered a resident, "because there are also two other things. He has to have a Northwest Territories driver's licence and health care card. So in order to obtain those, you have to be a resident. So that's what we use for documentation to certify residency."

My question, Mr. Speaker, is, since a newcomer can buy a house, get a driver's licence immediately and can get a health care card after three months, would the Minister agree that the northern residency requirement for northern preference under the BIP should really just be called the three-month residency requirement? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member asked if I would agree that the northern residency clause should be called the three-month residency clause. No, I do not. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is not the manner in which we would like to call a northern resident a northern resident, just someone moving here and then getting northern residency in three months. For the business incentive policy, you should have lived here a certain length of time and you should have been carrying on business, had a business licence and all the other things. But the Member is probably correct. I don't know how long it takes to get a driver's licence or a health care card. I have had them forever, so I don't know that.

We realize the definition of residency, either local or northern, is a problem, so we are trying to address that issue under the new business incentive policy. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the information provided to the House through my returns to written questions shows a loophole one could drive a truck or fly a water bomber through, and I would like to ask the Minister -- if he'll permit the analogy --

---Laughter

would he agree that it seems unfair that, all other things being equal, a resident of three months in the NWT is given the same status in terms of the northern residency requirement as a comparable business person who has had 30 years' residence? Should that not be fixed up quickly, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It does seem unfair if a person who lives in the north has preference under

the business incentive policy if he's only lived here for three months, compared to a person who has lived here for a year or 30 years. If the Member is aware of those types of things, please make me aware of those businesses, and I will look into it.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have made the Minister aware of certain cases of this kind in my riding, and I will continue to do so. But my question to the Minister is, since there seems to be a loophole in the present BIP requirements for northern residents, and it seems inappropriate to rely on the health care card and the driver's licence are indicators of permanent residence. I would like to ask the Minister, since we're letting contracts daily and judging them according to BIP preference requirements, when will the new BIP rules be put in place so we can eliminate these loopholes that are being taken advantage of, as we speak? Thank you.