This is page numbers 1197 - 1228 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 education.

Topics

The Chair Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Koe. We are dealing with the report but there are items that relate to it, I suppose. Mr. Pollard, can you respond to that somehow?

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Chairman, unfortunately Madam Premier and Mr. Nerysoo are on the phone with Mr. Morin right now in Norman Wells. They probably would be better to answer than myself, but my knowledge of it is that there are discussions ongoing with various groups about the impact of the new languages agreement and that the Premier has been handling most of that. Thank you.

The Chair Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Are you done, Mr. Koe? No? Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

The final item I would like to raise is the whole issue of the cash or non-cash amounts that this government has. We seem to be borrowing and always seem to have a negative cash flow.

I guess the concern I have is that we are now looking at possibly two years of deficit budgets and the amounts of borrowing needs obviously has to increase to cover the needs. I just want to highlight that because I think it's very important that we try to keep ourselves in a positive cash flow situation. This government can't be in a position where it's going to be paying so much for interest on borrowed money that somewhere down the line we overburden ourselves so that we can't keep up payments. That's how the federal government deficit keeps growing. Its debt load is so high and the interest it pays is so high that it is almost impossible to recover and get back to positive cash flows.

I would just like to make that comment because it's been highlighted by the committee, knowing the fiscal position that we are coming into, not only this year but next year -- next year it will be worse. So I don't know if there is a recommendation that I'll support of the committee's making, but I am just wondering if the Minister had any comments on that area.

The Chair Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a concern about cash flow. We used to have an arrangement with Ottawa whereby we drew down on our money that we received from them when we needed it the most and even Ottawa is getting a little more difficult in that regard. So it is something that we are concerned with. It's something that we will address through the budget process this year and make some recommendations to the next government, and we will be as vigilant as we can about those particular large payments that come from time to time. In fact, most of the departments call us before they are going to issue large cheques so that we can time it so that we do have the money in the bank. So I recognize Mr. Koe's concern. I share that concern, and we are trying to be vigilant. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Have we now concluded general comments? Does anybody else have general comments to make? You are finished, Mr. Koe, as I understand it. If there are no further general comments or statements, then, Mr. Zoe, I believe you have some recommendations to make. Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the issue of the review of the capital planning process, our committee has made our first recommendation.

Committee Motion 55-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

June 7th, 1995

Page 1226

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Therefore I move, Mr. Chairman, that the review of the capital planning process take into account the need for an exigent approval process to facilitate limited acceleration of capital projects, where it is in the best interests of the community and will provide a cost saving to the government.

Committee Motion 55-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1226

The Chair Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. I believe all Members have a copy of that motion. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Motion 55-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1226

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Motion 55-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

The Chair Brian Lewis

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 56-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mr. Chairman, on the issue of information technology, our committee would like to make the following recommendation.

I move, that this committee recommends that the government proceed immediately to plan and implement revised financial information systems to meet the needs of Nunavut and the western territory as a priority for the division of the Northwest Territories.

Committee Motion 56-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

The Chair Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Everybody has a copy of the motion. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Motion 56-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Motion 56-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

The Chair Brian Lewis

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 56-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Our committee would also like to make the third recommendation. It is on the issue of cash surplus and increased borrowing.

Committee Motion 57-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Finance, through the Minister, provide copies of the Government of the Northwest Territories cash flow projection schedule to Members of the Legislative Assembly on a monthly basis.

Committee Motion 57-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

The Chair Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Motion 57-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Committee Motion 57-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

The Chair Brian Lewis

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 57-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee has made only three specific recommendations and that concludes the remarks and comments of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Committee Motion 57-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

The Chair Brian Lewis

Do Members agree that Committee Report 9-12(7) is now concluded?

Committee Motion 57-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Motion 57-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1227

The Chair Brian Lewis

Thank you very much. That will be removed from the order paper for tomorrow. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.