This is page numbers 199 - 230 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 nunavut.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 162-13(3): Education Tax Increases
Question 162-13(3): Education Tax Increases
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 211

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Steen.

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is addressed to the Minister of Finance. Bearing in mind the announcements made by Mr. Irwin that a portion of the infrastructure money would be used for water, sewer and roads in Nunavut, Mr. Speaker, I'm wondering how that is

going to reflect on this Assembly's budget for this year and for the next two years because we seem to be duplicating each other's programs. Could the Finance Minister give me some idea of how we're going to clear this up with the federal government, as to who's responsible for what facilities? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's important to point out that this $117 million or $118 million is for additional transition costs to set up the Nunavut government. They're not costs that relate to the present government. However, that is a reasonable and fair question that my colleague asked. At this stage of the game, we only got these numbers last Monday or Tuesday, I believe. We need to take a hard look at them and break down where they're going. We need to spend some time with our partners in this -- NTI -- and we need to get a more detailed question to the federal government as to where this infrastructure money is going to go and what it relates to. It's not that I'm trying to avoid the question, I just think it's early in the discussion. I think the important thing to separate here is that the current capital budget of the territorial government is for the current operations of the territorial government, East or West. The dollars that the federal government has identified, no matter how inadequate some of us may view them, are for incremental costs associated with any additional government or infrastructure required when Nunavut moves in 1999. Thank you.

Return To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Supplementary To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Mr. Chairman, this government's five-year capital plan is supposed to identify all the needs of the communities for the next five years. The Finance Minister suggested that these are over and above these needs of these communities, because of division. However, if these water and sewage facilities are not identified in the five-year capital plan as needs, how can the federal government be then saying that these are community needs and that they will fund them?

Supplementary To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me tell you what we're at. One of the frustrations of this whole exercise was -- at least in my opinion, as the Minister of Finance -- that we were left out of, early in the debate, the development of this budget. We said that to Mr. Irwin last week. We haven't yet analyzed in any detail where the federal government intends to put this infrastructure in place. There is also a debate, I believe, in this House and in other places about who, in fact, should be developing this infrastructure. I'm of the mind, and I think that the Cabinet and Assembly is of the mind, that this should be done to the GNWT so there would be some cost-effective way to move forward on this. But I don't have sufficient detail right now to answer my honourable colleague's legitimate question about is there a duplication of effort, how does it integrate into our five-year capital plan but, hopefully, after this weekend in Arviat at the officials' meeting where discussions are under way, we will be able to get a clear picture of that and I'll be able to respond to my colleague prior to the closure of this session. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Supplementary To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Mr. Chairman, bearing in mind the shortage of dollars this government has, I wonder if it's appropriate for this Assembly to be considering expenditures in this present year towards water and sewage facilities, roads, whatever, in Nunavut until we first clarify with the federal government who is going to be paying for what.

Supplementary To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, our five-year plan, whether it be for Nunavut or for the West, is based upon the current level of service and the requirements of the communities and the requirements of municipalities across Nunavut. The incremental costs and transitional costs related to a new Nunavut government is based upon an increase in activity, in PYs, in infrastructure, that may require water and sewer or roads, at cetera. So I would suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, that until we get the full detail of this, which we don't have, we need to proceed with the budget as laid out. At the end of the day, once we have the detail, we can have a lengthy debate on whether there is a duplication of services, whether it's required or not.

For example -- hypothetically, if I may -- if in the new Nunavut government, there are going to be 150 PYs in my honourable colleague's riding -- which there appears to be -- in Iqaluit, there would be additional costs related to housing, water and sewer, et cetera, over and above the level that he currently requires. That cost would be picked up by the federal government through this transition and incremental cost. That doesn't take away from the need he has right now -- or others, for that matter -- in the current budget cycle. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Question 163-13(3): Impact Of Nunavut Funding On GNWT Budget
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 212

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

May 5th, 1996

Page 212

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance regarding division, as well. On Friday, I voiced a concern that while the incremental costs that we just heard about are important, the more fundamental, long-term issue is the question of the formula arrangements in each new territory. I believe Mr. Ootes

raised the same issue. I was wondering if the Minister of Finance could give us his learned opinion on this issue. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that whole issue of how you're going to determine a gross expenditure base of two new territories is absolutely critical. After all, it is the ongoing base funding to provide the essential services to two new territories. Mr. Irwin, in his comments both at dinner and to the press later on the following day, had indicated that it would probably be finance to finance. We're seeking clarification on that issue and trying to get a clearer understanding of what exactly that means. My staff tell me that we are very close to arranging a meeting with Mr. Martin, the Finance Minister of Canada, to speak with him and try to determine an appropriate process for calculating the gross expenditure base for both new territories, and who should be involved in this process.

It's a very, very important question, there's no doubt about that. I don't have enough valid information at this time as to the federal government's position on this important issue and the method or the process in which we would determine two gross expenditure bases. But I want to assure my colleague that it's a priority of all of us, and that we're going to moving quickly to try and get a clearer interpretation of it from the Finance Minister of Canada, the Honourable Paul Martin. Thank you.

Return To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to confirm the speed in which you intend to approach this issue, the information we saw last week indicated 1998-99 is when they plan on dealing with this issue. Could the Minister confirm in his definition, "priority" means we want to start this right away so we have a clear understanding before we reach the date of division? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure my honourable colleague that priority for me on this issue was yesterday or the day before yesterday. In fact, we have to move quickly to discuss it, finance to finance, and just see what appropriate process we can put in place to make sure there's a comfortable level by all in this Legislature and the other parties to this issue; whether it's NTI or the commission that's providing this government and the federal government with some advice. So we're taking expeditious steps to move quickly and see if, in fact, Mr. Martin will agree to determine a process for this important exercise in determining the gross expenditure base of the two territories.

Further Return To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to see the Minister of Finance will be acting with such alacrity.

Supplementary To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

Some Hon. Members

Ohh!

Supplementary To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Could the Minister also reassure us that this Legislature will remain fully involved in any kind of negotiations for formulas and the splitting east and west of current resources? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Question 164-13(3): Formula Financing In Two New Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 213

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.