Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a couple of questions on this. Can the Minister tell us how much, in dollar value, do we have liabilities outstanding presently? Thank you.
Debates of Oct. 24th, 1997
Topics
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Through the honourable Minister, Mr. Voytilla.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
Voytilla
Mr. Chairman, our outstanding, long-term liabilities in the form of loans are about $250 million and that is a consolidated basis. That includes borrowing of all of our Crown agencies as well.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Henry.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could the Minister also tell us what the maximum potential that the Government of the Northwest Territories presently could take on with this or any other liability?
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
October 23rd, 1997
Page 194
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
John Todd Keewatin Central
Yes, I know that one. We have an order in council by the federal Cabinet up to $400 million. Thank you.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Clause two of Bill 3. Mr. Henry.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Does the Minister have available what obligations could be put in place? He mentioned earlier, in his opening comments, that the proper guarantees could be put in place. Would one of those guarantees be that the Government of the Northwest Territories, in the event of a default, could take possession to the asset that was being secured? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister probably has the answer for that one too. Mr. Todd.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
John Todd Keewatin Central
I do, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we would have all the normal guarantees. They would be in place. If there was to be default, as in any conventional borrowing and lending, the Government of the Northwest Territories would have access to the assets or the red noose or whatever it was depending on the circumstances of the project. Yes.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
The Chair John Ningark
Clause two. I believe Mr. Henry is okay for the time being. I have the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 194
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is in regard to the 14-days notice and the method of consultation. There seems to be a real misunderstanding that consultation of people means that you pick up the phone or you come to a community and you have one meeting and that is the end of it. But in this matter, we are dealing with a serious implication where a Member is allowed 14 days to state his comments or concerns in relation to the project. If a Member has a concern in regard to a specific project which is over $500,000, what is the method that will be used? Is there going to be a contact point to the minister? We could contact the deputy minister?
Please clarify, for me, who the contact person will be in regard to concerns raised about a specific project.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. On the procedure, Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Chairman, there was a great deal of discussion and honourable colleague has a valid point. We need to ensure that there is transparency and the ability to get direct input into what we are doing here. I would think if it was a committee concern it would go through the clerk. He would tell us. Individual concern if I am responsible, as I appear to be with this project, then I would expect out of my office to be called. I want to assure my honourable colleague and also Mr. Ootes that we understand the need for transparency on this issue. There was a great deal of discussion in the committee and I think we will achieve that.. I am fairly confident that you will have ample time and ample input if there are areas of concerns either through committee or on an individual basis. Thank you.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
The Chair John Ningark
Clause two. Mr. Krutko.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Say, in any particular case, that there is an individual Member who files a complaint or a concern on a specific project. Will that project be halted until they have an opportunity to review that particular project so that we do have adequate time to seriously have input in it. That they will not go forward until the item has been dealt with fairly and discussed in the full committee?
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
John Todd Keewatin Central
If there is adequate and substantiated arguments with a particular project that a Member or a committee has some serious concerns with, then I would have to address it. So the answer is yes.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Krutko.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The reason I raised these concerns is that over the last number of years there has been projects which have been controversial in regard to being raised in this House, yet they continue to proceed. I think there has to be a method clearly in place that there will be due process where concerns and complaints will be filed and taken seriously and nothing will be done until those complaints are heard. Without it being overridden and basically with time restraints being 14 days that somehow you do not have the opportunity to seriously look at that particular item or the cost to a specific project without having the opportunity to review it fully.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister, do you wish to respond? I did not hear any direct question, Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
John Todd Keewatin Central
As I said, to the point of being repetitive, we recognize the concern out there. We are doing the best we can. I have already assured the Member publicly that I believe there is adequate transparency processes in place and I can just assure him again that will happen. I am not expecting an avalanche, quite frankly, of projects on this issue, but I think through healthy debate and committee we have come to a satisfactory compromise and I hope my colleague will feel comfortable with that. I will commit again today to make sure that happens. Thank you.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Question. Mr. Henry.
Committee Motion 3-13(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 3, An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 195
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the Minister's department, in the research that took place prior to putting this bill together, can the Minister tell us how many other provinces or territories have such a similar act and how much are the amounts of their guarantees.