My honourable colleague is correct, I do spend an inordinate amount of time trying to explain to him the deficit but it is obvious I am not getting through, so I will try again. I think I said the other day what I really need is a flip chart and a magic marker, but I do not have one here today, so I will try again. So, we are expecting the accumulated deficit somewhere around $43 million, it flows back and forth as you know, depending on our expenditures and our revenues. I am optimistic and confident we will meet our targets. I said earlier today I will be making a speech or a statement tomorrow or the next day, being very specific so that the people of the Northwest Territories know exactly where we are at, and that the good sound fiscal management of this government is in safe capable hands. Thank you.
Debates of Oct. 8th, 1996
Topics
Further Return To Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 975
John Todd Keewatin Central
Further Return To Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 975
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 975
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of course, the reason for my questions, as Mr. Todd probably realizes now, is that the accumulated deficit is 43 million, but in the House yesterday, Mr. Todd said that this government would be looking at cutting $100 million dollars and so the question begs to ask is why, if the accumulated deficit or deficit is 43 million, why this government is going to cut 100 million?
Supplementary To Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 975
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 975
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Picco does not need to talk to the Finance Minister, he needs a chartered accountant. I mean, we have gone through this I do not know how many times. The projected deficit was somewhere in the region of $150 million dollars, the 2-year deficit elimination strategy meant that we had to take $160 million out of the system this last. And we have got another $100 plus million we have to take out this year to meet a balanced budget in 1997 which would then leave us with an accumulated deficit of somewhere in the region of $80 million. Have I made it clear, Mr. Picco?
Further Return To Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Question 432-13(3): Current Deficit Of The GNWT
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 975
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions, Mr. Miltenberger.
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 975
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
It is in regards to privatization of Trailcross, a child care facility in Fort Smith. I wonder if the Minister could indicate the status of that privatization initiative and whether savings would be realized?
Thank you.
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the privatization is finalized and that the proposal calls and an award was made, I do not have the name of the company right now with me.
I can say that the savings that were expected from that privatization initiative will not be met due to the fact, primarily, that all of the existing, or the former employees of Trailcross chose to take severance packages and as a result of that we will have to pay out, over the course of the next fiscal year and because of that Mr. Speaker all the savings will not be materialized. Thank you.
Return To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions, supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.
Supplementary To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate when he anticipates Trailcross will be up and running?
Supplementary To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was my understanding that it would have been some time this month, I am not positive if it is operational at this current time but I will commit to finding that out and advising the Member accordingly. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions, supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.
Supplementary To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My second to the Minister, and probably one of the most important ones is, could the Minister also find out or indicate how many local people have been rehired by this new contractor?
Supplementary To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker I will commit to finding out that as well. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Question 433-13(3): Status Of Trailcross Facility Privatization
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions, Mr. Steen.
Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker my question is addressed to Honourable Mr. Todd, the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board.
Mr. Speaker, I wonder if Mr. Todd could give the house clear direction as to whether or not there is still a policy in place, whereby this government is responsible for supplying staff housing. Thank you.
Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
John Todd Keewatin Central
Yes, Mr. Speaker. The policy of this government is to provide staff housing to staff in certain circumstances. Yes.
Return To Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 976
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions,
supplementary, Mr. Steen.
Supplementary To Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 977
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like the Minister to be aware that I have been advised that in the community of Tuk, we stand to lose possibly six, at this time no less than four teachers by Christmas because of the Minister's actions to sell the houses out from underneath them. I would just like him to become aware that this is having a grave impact on the smaller communities where the choices are not great if they are there at all in regard to where a teacher could go if their house is sold out from under them. I wonder if the Minister could assure that where there are no options for teachers to seek housing elsewhere, at a reasonable price, that he will allow for staff housing in those communities.
Supplementary To Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 977
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Question 434-13(3): Status Of Staff Housing Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 977
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome back my colleague Mr. Steen. Let me assure Mr. Steen, publicly, and the community of Tuktoyaktuk, that it is not our intention to sell the houses from underneath the tenants that are in them, it is our intention to provide options to our staff with respect to staff housing. We have to ensure it is affordable, as Mr. Steen rightly points out, and I want to assure him that steps will be taken, and steps are being taken now to ensure that housing for teachers and others, I remind everybody, will be available and I will look into this particular matter with respect to Tuktoyaktuk later on today when I meet with Mr. Steen to give him the comfort he requires. That his constituency will be taken care of and the teachers that are looking after his children and his neighbours children are provided with staff housing at an affordable cost. Thank you.