Well, I will try to make my answer short, but I mean this one requires some preamble. The reality is that we believe in March, 1996, a shortfall in the original transition costs the federal government put in, in March of 1996, that was the $150 million. At that time, in fairness to the federal government, we really were not in a position, either one of us I believe, to give an accurate detailed accounting of what we thought the transition costs would be. This exercise that we did in the creation of two new territories and the transition plan, from our perspective remember, provided us with a fairly detailed hands on analysis of what we thought was necessary and what we did is cost that. We presented that plan clearly to the Interim Commissioner, as advised, and you know in his response he is going to accept it that way, but also to the federal government to identify the magnitude of the shortfall. The reality is that depending on what consensus is reached between the parties as to the appropriate course of action, to some extent that consensus will determine how much additional monies we require. When that is determined, the federal government has to pay the bill. It cannot be paid by this government. We do not have that fiscal capacity or that responsibility. Thank you.
John Todd on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on October 23rd, 1997. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
October 22nd, 1997
Page 96
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.