Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, my question will be directed to my colleague, Mr. Charles Dent. Minister Dent made a statement that there are 40 northerners who are currently enrolled in Mine Trade Access Program. I would like to know, out of 40 northerners, how many are aboriginal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Jan. 29th, 1998
Topics
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
January 28th, 1998
Page 418
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not have the breakdown of the status of the 40 members with me, Mr. Speaker. I will provide that to the Member. I can assure him that it is representative of the population of the Northwest Territories in that the majority of the members are aboriginal.
Return To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.
Supplementary To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are only a few mines in the Northwest Territories. I would like to know in what areas and mines are these people training in? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the program is aimed at bringing people up to a level where they can enter an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program for a trade that would commonly be found working at a mine site. The students are not studying at mine sites. They are, in fact, being trained at the campuses of Aurora College using three campuses, Inuvik, Yellowknife and Thebacha. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.
Supplementary To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Are there similar training programs for Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The mine training committee has worked with the Nunavut College as well. Although the Mine TAP has not been set up to operate at the campuses in Nunavut at present, the setting up of a similar program is portable, and as the college becomes more interested, they certainly can be set up at the campuses in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Question 150-13(5): Mine Trades Access Program Enrolment
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are on the Aurora Fund, so I will be directing them to Mr. Todd. Mr. Speaker, on January 27th, in this House, Mr. Todd gave an update on the Aurora Fund. He told us that there were seven loans done to date. I wonder how many jobs have been created by those seven loans.
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, I do not know. I would have to look into it. Of course the Aurora Fund is set up to provide venture capital if you want or capital equity for northern businesses. I will ask my department to ask those who have got the loans how many jobs they created. Thank you.
Return To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 418
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will continue on the Aurora Fund. Mr. Speaker, of the seven loans done, they are approximately $7.8 million, approximately $1 million per loan. Mr. Speaker, three months ago in this House
in October, Mr. Todd listed how many companies had received loans from the Aurora Fund and he also named them at that time. At that time, Mr. Speaker, there were five loans done. There have been two loans in that three to four month period. I am wondering if Mr. Todd could tell us what type of demand is out there in the market place for those loans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
John Todd Keewatin Central
Part of the reason of the why it may appear that we are doing as many loans as my honourable colleague would like, is two reasons. One, is remember the Aurora Fund has a specific limit of three quarter of a million dollars and up. Two, it has a conservative approach to loans. Three it needs 30 percent of its equity in liquid assets, that is the condition set. Four, we lend out the money as the money comes in. As I tried to explain the other day to my colleague Mr. Ootes, as it comes in we put in escrow and lend it out.
My understanding is there is a significant amount of interest in it. Particularly now, we have been able to get the message out a lot more clearly. I am not anticipating any problems down the road in finding good northern places for the money as it flows through escrow and back out to the northern businesses that require it. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it seems like the Aurora Fund is a great vehicle for buying airplanes. I wonder if the Minister could inform this House why there seems to be so many airplanes being purchased through the Aurora Fund. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
John Todd Keewatin Central
It must be a pretty safe investment. I do not know why. People buy hotels sometimes. People buy airplanes. The reality is, it appears this fund has attracted a certain group, industry group. The investment committee recommends it along with Mr. Bailey. I do not think there is any particular...
Further Return To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Question period is over. I would like to recognize in the gallery the Conflict of Interest Commissioner from Iqaluit Ms. Anne Crawford. Item 7, written questions. Mr. Ootes.
Further Return To Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 419
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.