Debates of May 17th, 1996

This is page numbers 467 - 493 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 3rd 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 community.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Ottawa Meeting With Prime Minister
Iqaluit Generator Failure
Minister Absent From The House
New Math Curriculum Framework
National Aboriginal Day
Member's Absence From The House
Naming Of New Western Territory
Yellowknife North Constituency Meeting At Prelude Lake
Tl'oondih Healing Camp Program
Results Of Community Leaders' Forum In Yellowknife
Traditional Spring Activities On The Land
Benefits Of Nanisivik Mine To Nwt
Closure Of The Northern Addictions Program
Loss Of 26 Neckties
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Cost Of Health Care For Northerners
Membership On Panel Of Advisors On Economy
Funding For Substance Abuse Program
Replacement Of Iqaluit Generator
Advisory Committee On Economy Membership
Maintenance Of GNWT Staff Housing In Nanisivik
Sponsorship Of Community Leaders' Forum
Inclusion Of Sale Of Assets In Budget Projections
GNWT Control Of Fuel Prices
Status Of Fort Mcpherson Water Treatment Plant Review
Air Terminal Requirements In Grise Fiord
Regular Meetings With Prime Minister Before Division
Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Recovery Of Compensation For Victims
Amount Of Grants-in-lieu Of Taxes In Yellowknife
Topics Of Discussion At Meeting With Prime Minister
Item 10: Petitions
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Removal And Recovery Of Consumer Price Index Increase To Members' Allowances And Expenses
Bill 15: Statute Revision Act
Bill 17: Business Corporations Act
Bill 16: Workers' Compensation Act, No. 2
Revert To Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Further Return To Question 263-13(3): Regular Meetings With Prime Minister Before Division
Question 263-13(3): Regular Meetings With Prime Minister Before Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no doubt in my mind that I don't continually whip a dead horse. As far as I am concerned, that is a dead horse; $150 million. The federal government has made it very clear and Mr. Irwin made it very clear in Arviat that he had a tough time getting the $150 million. So we are going to have to live with that. We are going to have to make sure that we spend it wisely and make sure that every dollar possible is spent in the Northwest Territories and not spent on the federal government. It has to be spent in the North, in Nunavut for Nunavut.

We have to make sure that we are fully involved in the next phase, formula financing for two new territories, and that we have full input into those talks. The input needs to end up with good results for people of the North in both new territories. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 263-13(3): Regular Meetings With Prime Minister Before Division
Question 263-13(3): Regular Meetings With Prime Minister Before Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Steen.

Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

May 16th, 1996

Page 479

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is addressed to the Minister of MACA. Mr. Speaker, over the past few years, this government and the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk have been trying to resolve the shoreline erosion problem that we have in our community. Unfortunately, Ms. Beaufort hasn't been very considerate of our efforts. It might be because in the past, we have always had men Ministers of MACA. This is probably the first time we have had a lady Minister of MACA. I invite the Minister down so, perhaps on a woman-to-woman basis, they could solve this problem along with help from the community. Would the Minister consider coming to Tuk this summer and meeting Ms. Beaufort face to face and possibly assist the hamlet with a solution to this problem. Thank you.

Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mrs. Thompson.

Return To Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will go to Tuktoyaktuk this summer to speak with her, woman to woman. Thank you.

--- Applause

Return To Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Return To Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The budget balancing has been the focus of our attention for the last six months and Mr. Henry asked several questions of the Minister of Finance. I would like to ask several questions as well. The budget balancing is going to continue to be on our minds. It will preoccupy us for some time yet to come. The concern is how we balance the budget. In my mind, there are three ways. One is to raise revenues, the other is to cut

Return To Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, I was so intent on reading the latest in the Nunatsiaq News, I inadvertently didn't hear the question? My apologies to my colleague. Could he please repeat his question.

Return To Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 264-13(3): Shoreline Erosion In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Could you repeat your question, Mr. Ootes.

Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I will enjoy the opportunity to repeat my comments. The budget has been of concern to us for the last six months. It has literally preoccupied our time. It will no doubt continue to be that way. It is of concern to all the Members of the House. The concern is that we will continue to have to all work on the budget and find ways and means of balancing that. In Mr. Todd's plan, it is over two years. In my mind, there are several ways in which to do this. One is to raise the revenues of the territorial government and the second would be to cut the expenditures in various areas and then the third is to sell the assets. Could the Minister tell us when he will be meeting with Cabinet on this to devise plans on disposable assets? Would the Minister, shortly thereafter, commit to give us also the list of the assets they are looking to dispose of; not just now but in the future?

Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, I apologize to my colleague. First of all, it isn't my budget, it is our budget. I believe that. Yes, once we have identified potential areas for the disposition of government assets, I am sure the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Minister of Public Works and Services, would only be too happy to share with that our colleagues, as we may have missed some things. There may be some things that the MLAs and others feet that we should be out of, but we would certainly be only too happy to provide our colleagues with information and seek their input on further disposition of government assets that we believe are no longer required and can generate some revenue for this government to meet its two-year deficit elimination strategy. Thank you.

Return To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

I wonder if the Minister could commit to ensure that this is put within the business plans of the various departments, so that no assets are sold prior to it being reviewed by the various standing committees.

Supplementary To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't think I could commit to that at this time until we get the paper from the Minister of Public Works. What I can commit to is, once the document is ready, that the Minister of Public Works and Services will review the disposition of additional assets over and above what we have identified with the ordinary Members through the committee structure. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Could the Minister tell us if he has any plans to do any privatization of any assets prior to next October?

Supplementary To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

John Todd Keewatin Central

I certainly hope so. As part of the policy of this government, we intend to move aggressively on privatization as part of our deficit elimination strategy. It will be discussed fully with the committees prior to any action being taken. I don't know if we can commit today if we will do things prior to October or prior to tomorrow or the next day. But I can say the position of this government is to move aggressively in the areas of privatization and we will seek committees' and MLAs' comments and seek some of their direction on the initiatives that we will undertake. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

I guess that was the area of concern -- that we be fully involved -- because, as I mentioned, we are all into this thing of having to participate in balancing the budget. So it was a concern. Could the Minister ensure, because the committees may not be meeting for the next six weeks -which we don't know -- that it will be put before the standing committees?

Supplementary To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Question 265-13(3): Plans For Disposal Of GNWT Assets
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

John Todd Keewatin Central

Let me answer the question this way. There is a need. My honourable colleague has spoken many times, along with his colleague from Yellowknife, that their position is slightly different than mine. They want to balance the budget in one year. There is clearly a need then, if that is the case, to fast-track some of the issues of privatization and the sale of assets, at cetera. We will consult and move

forward aggressively to reach a decision on what is going to be privatized and what isn't. I want to remind everyone again, we have 34 months left in this mandate. I have less than 24 months left to balance the budget and that is what we intend to do. So there is a requirement for consultation and for a need for direction, but there is also a requirement for action. We intend to move forward with action. Thank you.