This is page numbers 1109 - 1133 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.

Topics

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1117

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a gentleman who is a champion of the working man, Mr. Ben MacDonald of the UNW. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Whitford.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1117

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me pleasure to introduce, as well, Lydia Bardak...I can only do one? Oh, I'm sorry.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Just for the record, Mr. Whitford, Members are only allowed to recognize visitors in the gallery once. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1117

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, to honour the attempt by the Member for Yellowknife, I wish to recognize Lydia Bardak from the NWT Council for Disabled Persons.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the media last week, there were statements made by reporters indicating that this government was investigating the possibility of imposing a sales tax on residents of the Northwest Territories. Since the Minister of Finance isn't here, I would like to ask the Premier, is this government going to be imposing a sales tax on the residents of the Northwest Territories?

Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Mr. Koe, I will remind you that you cannot ask the Premier to deny or confirm a newspaper report. But the question was okay. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance is presently out on a telephone call with Mr. Ron Irwin. Regarding the question, Mr. Speaker, there have been no indications that the NWT government is planning to impose a sales tax. Thank you.

Return To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, thank you for that clarification. This year's government and next year's government are going to be looking at deficits of around $130 to $150 million. I would like to get an indication from the Premier as to what steps this government is taking to deal with this horrific projected deficit?

Supplementary To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I believe right at the moment we're exploring all possibilities of trying to live within our means as a government. The Minister of Finance and the system are beginning to look at budgets for the future year, recognizing that we will have a significant shortfall. All options are being explored and some of the options are just that: options. We are looking for workable solutions to the problem. In the next while, there will be lots of rumours about rumours, I'm sure, Mr. Speaker. Because, in exploring those options, we are putting together research papers on what other provincial jurisdictions are doing and what types of options we have here, including the possibility of trying to conclude a northern energy accord so revenues will accrue to Northwest Territories residents.

There isn't anything we're overlooking and, certainly, if anyone has any wonderful ideas about how we can either accrue more revenues and do a better job with our financial situation, recognizing that there are programs and services which are necessities for people and we have to try our best to make sure those programs and people aren't suffering because of program cutbacks. Mr. Speaker, every avenue possible is being explored. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Premier mentioned that the Cabinet and the government is looking at options for revenue generation. One of the activities that is going on, I understand, is there might be a meeting this week of leaders involved in northern accord discussions. Other than the northern accord, what other specific initiatives are being looked at to generate new revenues for this government?

Supplementary To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, these discussions have been renewed in order to plot out some strategies for next year's budgeting. I would suggest that when the Minister of Finance is available -- because he has been doing that work -- it would be more appropriate to defer the question to the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 489-12(7): Status Of Nwt Sales Tax
Question 489-12(7): Status Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

June 4th, 1995

Page 1117

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public Works and Services. Mr. Speaker, on April 12th, the Minister told the House that his department had prepared a draft negotiated contracts policy and that it would be going to Cabinet the week of the 24th to

the 28th of April. Would the Minister advise if the policy did, in fact, go to Cabinet that week?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1118

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do have that paper. We're finished now and it is in front of Cabinet. Thank you.

Return To Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1118

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1118

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister told the House earlier that the paper would be going to Cabinet during the week of the 24th of April. Can the Minister advise why it didn't go that week?

Supplementary To Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1118

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Question 490-12(7): Status Of Negotiated Contracts Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1118

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason the paper did not get to Cabinet on time is because proper signatures weren't there and the paper was not quite ready. Thank you.