Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You have to remember that I set the fiscal framework for this government based upon the advice and the support that I received from this House. We all agreed that we would balance the budget over a two-year period. In balancing the budget in the two-year period, I set targets for the Ministers within their portfolios. They had the responsibility and the authority to work with the committees to meet those targets. We are in what we call a reduction mode. That is how the process works. For example, I suspect my colleague is talking about Delta House because the budget is up today. Mr. Ng, who probably has one of the most difficult tasks before this House, was given certain targets. These targets were difficult to manage, but there was a clear recognition in the overall strategy that we need to ensure there was sufficient money to sustain the system. Then, Mr. Ng has to develop a budget along with committee, to meet the targets we have set so we can balance the budget and get on with making life better for northerners. Is it fair? I think it is fair. Is it difficult? Absolutely. Are people going to be unhappy? Yes, but hopefully we are going to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Now that we have managed to control our spending we can move quickly to do some other things. My colleague knows that we are working extremely hard to meet the requirement for new health facilities in his area, which will be a huge economic stimulus, assuming we can put the right fiscal framework in place, get the correct political support, and move on with it. While there are some negatives, there are also some positives. This constituency should recognize that he has represented that issue very well, and we are moving quickly to reach some resolve, so we can demonstrate to his constituency that we are moving forward in a positive vein to put new infrastructure into Inuvik, not take away from existing.
John Todd on Question 349-13(4): Fairness In Allocating Funds
In the Legislative Assembly on February 20th, 1997. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 349-13(4): Fairness In Allocating Funds
Question 349-13(4): Fairness In Allocating Funds
Item 6: Oral Questions
February 19th, 1997
Page 736
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.