Debates of May 28th, 1996

This is page numbers 689 - 732 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 ---.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
impaired Driving Enforcement Campaign
Seal Coat Fashion Show
Bhp Project Status
Commercialization Of The Air Navigation System
Now Health Centre For Gjoa Haven
Fort Mcpherson Drinking Water
Community Wellness Conference In Iqaluit
Attendance At Graduation Ceremonies
Absence Of NTPC Staff At Resolute Bay Power Plant
Preparing Union Members For Strike Vote
Suggestions On Saving Money In Justice System
High School Graduation In Arviat
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Reward Program For Cost-saving Ideas
Adherence To Annual Report Requirements Under Faa
New Health Centre For Gjoa Haven
Status Of Negotiations With Tl'oondih Healing Society
Reason For Unattended Power Plant At Resolute Bay
Status Of Regional Changes To Pws
GNWT Financial Assistance To NWT Construction Association
Communities' Choices In Community Empowerment
Class Of All-weather Road From Inuvik To Tuktoyaktuk
Explanation Of WCB Investment Returns
Monitoring Of Bip Hiring Provisions
Status Of Request To Extend Gjoa Haven Runway
Criteria For Sale Of Staff Housing
Economic Opportunities For Seal Harvesters
Status Of Material For Gjoa Haven Seniors' Facility
Item 9: Replies To Opening Address
Item 10: Petitions
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Rates Charged To Seniors Resident In Long-term Care Facilities
Bill 17: Business Corporations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97
To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11
To Amend Schedule To Bill 11
Bill 13: Loan Authorization Act, 1996-97
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Motor Vehicles Act
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Workers' Compensation Act
Bill 12: Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act, No. 2
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

I'm very happy to hear that because I believe that, for the Mortgage Investment Corporation, it would be important that they would have some guarantees of a standard of construction. I believe CMHC would ensure that whatever construction does take place, it will be to a certain standard; and, in the event of default, there will be a product that will still be marketable.

Something else, and I believe the Minister has confirmed it a number of times, there is no money in until the additional money is placed forth by investors?

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Mr. Todd.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

John Todd

I believe a number of Members in that committee spoke to this. A number of the people who we've talked to who may be interested in being our partners in this venture have indicated that they want to see some good faith on the part of the government, of it's commitment on the fiscal side of this issue. By supporting this motion, that will clearly demonstrate to the other players that this government is committed to doing it. I believe that will be adequate for us to then try to secure the other stakeholders in developing this Mortgage Investment Corporation.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Roland.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Madam Chair. We've heard it numerous times on this issue but here in Committee of the Whole, this will, if it goes ahead, start dealing with our housing shortages. You've heard Mr. Henry talk about the employment that would come from that. Isn't that what we're here to do; to create jobs and try to help the people get off of social assistance? What more do we need of this? If we can get housing for the people and put people to work, get our youth trained for it and into the job market, aren't we doing what we set about to do initially? Thank you.

--- Applause

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Roland. To the motion. Mr. Enuaraq.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Chair. During the Government Operations committee meeting, we discussed this item. I believe that it can be very beneficial to the smaller communities, to the people who don't have access to the banks and who want to obtain their own housing. I would like to see somebody from the bank. I've never seen anybody representing a bank that goes into the smaller communities. I would like everyone to know that I will support the motion. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. To the motion. Mr. Henry.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just one last question to the Minister. Was this initiative discussed with CMHC?

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Mr. Todd.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

John Todd

Thank you, Madam Chair. This issue has been discussed for over a year. This initiative came forward under the previous government. Yes, CMHC has been intimately involved in our discussions. Thank you.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. O'Brien.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Madam Chair. If the MIC were to go ahead, what impact would this have on the banks? Presently, I know that we've had some difficulty in trying to encourage the banks to get out and lend to the residents in the smaller communities. Is it possible that they may back off now and just leave this up to the Mortgage Investment Corporation as far as what loans will take place and so on? Will they back away from what I consider their responsibility in the smaller communities, where they would offer a lower rate of, I believe it's 1.5 per cent? Thank you.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Todd.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 719

John Todd

I can't predict what the banks are going to do, Madam Chair. If the Mortgage Investment Corporation will, if nothing else, encourage them to become more active, then I would be very pleased with the end that we've tried to achieve. It's hard at this stage of the game for me to predict what the banks will do. I know that from my own experience -- and I don't want to be disrespectful to the banks -- we've seen a new change in attitude, particularly with the Royal Bank lately that has opened offices in Cambridge, Rankin and Iqaluit. There are some encouraging signs out there but, in all honestly, I couldn't tell the honourable Member what position they might take at this time.

Assuming we can get this approved by enough Members, I'm prepared -- and I've said this to some of the bankers I've been talking to -- to sit down with them, talk to them and see where we all play in this mortgage game. Thank you.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Todd. To the motion.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

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

--- Carried

Clause 3, as amended.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Clause 4.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Clause 5.

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Committee Motion 12-13(3): To Amend Clause 3(2) Of Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 720

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Schedule, part I. Mr. Todd.

Committee Motion 13-13(3): To Amend Schedule To Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

May 28th, 1996

Page 720

John Todd

Thank you, Madam Chair. Another motion that supports the previous motion we had support f or.

That the schedule to Bill 11 be amended by:

(a) increasing the amount set out opposite Vote 1, item 13, by $5,000,000 from $30,864,000 to $35,864,000;

(b) increasing the amount set out as the TOTAL APPROPRIATION for Vote 1 by $5,000,000 from $1,025,678,000 to $1,030,678,000; and

(c) increasing the amount set out as the TOTAL EXPENDITURES for Votes 1 and 2 by $5,000,000 from $1,219,991,000 to $1,224,991,000.

Thank you.