Mr. Premier.
Debates of Jan. 28th, 1998
Topics
Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Return To Oral Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister of Canada has Paul Martin as his Finance Minister, as lead Minister, on this whole issue of bank mergers between the Royal Bank and the Bank of Montreal. I have already instructed the Finance Minister, John Todd, to write to Paul Martin on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories to raise a concern for northerners on the concern that northerners do have with this proposed merger. Thank you.
Return To Oral Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.
Supplementary To Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Return To Oral Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Premier for his quick response to this very important issue. Would he also undertake to keep us informed if there are any developments that will have an impact on our constituents? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Return To Oral Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Return To Oral Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will request the Finance Minister to keep all Members of the Legislative Assembly regularly briefed on this issue as the issue develops. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Return To Oral Question 123-13(5): Royal And Montreal Bank Merger
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. It is in regard to my opening statement, in regard to keep a toll on expenditures of this government, in light of the issue I was talking about where there is a lease with a new company made in a matter of two months in which there was a verbal agreement in August, then there is a letter of understanding signed in August and there was an eight-year lease for $9.5 million signed in September. Was there a review process in place in looking at such an arrangement in regard to the Finance Minister and the FMBS and the role it plays in controlling the financial expenditures of this government? Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, what controls are in place to ensure that these expenditures are controlled in regard to the public purse?
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
John Todd Keewatin Central
I will try to answer the question, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that the arrangement that was made meets all the guidelines as set by this government and the authorities designated to deputy ministers. In fact, upon reading the file there was significant savings to this government over the long-term with respect to the extension of this lease. Whatever took place in the process was in accordance with the rules, policies and regulations of this government.
Return To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the ability of the deputy minister to sign long-term leases, in this case it was an eight-year extension to a new owner, I would like to mention and the cost was $9.5 million. Without the involvement of the FMBS in such matters, what other type of large expenditures are being made to date by other deputy ministers without some control mechanism in place?
Supplementary To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, I said there was a set of rules and regulations and spending authorities that deputy ministers, superintendents, economic development officers, clerks and everybody else has in this government. There is no requirement, in this particular case, for the FMB approval. This was within the rules and regulations and spending authority of that particular deputy and as such, he acted accordingly, put into place a system that saved this government over the long-term money and we applaud him for it.
Further Return To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 374
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to this case, I believe we are talking about a new owner. Which in my mind, we are talking about a new lease arrangement with a new company. I would like to ask the Minister in regard to the Financial Administration Act, which basically has been put in place by this government, and in light of the deficit situation we find ourselves in, I would like to ask in this case, was the
Financial Administration Act breached in any way by the expenditures of the deputy minister, without having it reviewed by the FMBS or Cabinet on this particular matter?
Supplementary To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 375
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 375
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, the short answer, there was no breach of the Financial Administration Act. The reality is that there was an extension of an existing contractor, who was from the south. My understanding after that, some northerners purchased the building. There was no breach of any administration act that I am aware of. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 375
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 375
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to this matter, was the decision to extend the lease made before or after the interest was expressed by the current new owner?
Supplementary To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 375
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 375
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that Mr. Antoine, later on today will be tabling a full chronology of the events that led to this situation that Mr. Krutko is talking about. It may be prudent at this time for him to wait until such time as that is tabled and he will see clearly, the events that took place. I am fairly confident it will answer all the questions he has raised, either today or in the future. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Question 124-13(5): Controls On GNWT Lease Arrangements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 375
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.
Question 125-13(5): Rae-edzo Municipal Financing
Item 6: Oral Questions
January 27th, 1998
Page 375
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, my colleague Mr. Rabesca spoke on the frustrations of the shortcomings in the current municipal formula financing and how it detrimentally affects the community of Rae-Edzo. My question will be for the Minister of MACA. Several months ago the hamlet produced a report that showed Rae-Edzo was one of the lowest funded non-tax based municipalities. Over the past several months efforts have been made by members of that community along with Mr. Rabesca to resolve this situation. Apparently, they were told just recently that the work will not be completed until September or October of this year. However, they were reassured by the Minister earlier that it could be resolved fairly quickly. Could the Minister tell us why this item is now being delayed until September or October?
Question 125-13(5): Rae-edzo Municipal Financing
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 375
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.