Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not think anyone is saying that our bureaucracy is not upright and upfront and forward. I mean there is that concern out on the street. I am wondering if the Premier will be reviewing the activities over the past couple of weeks on these type of questions and look at issuing some type of guidelines for the direction of Cabinet and the bureaucracy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Feb. 11th, 1998
Topics
Supplementary To Question 294-13(5): Directives For Leasing Procedures
Question 294-13(5): Directives For Leasing Procedures
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 719
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Supplementary To Question 294-13(5): Directives For Leasing Procedures
Question 294-13(5): Directives For Leasing Procedures
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 719
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. I heard two questions. You have used your final supplementary question. Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 294-13(5): Directives For Leasing Procedures
Question 294-13(5): Directives For Leasing Procedures
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have reviewed to the greatest extent the documents that are given to this House on the whole issue of the lease of the Lahm Ridge Tower. I am completely satisfied with the deputy minister of the day. I have complete faith in the deputy minister when he extended that lease that he did it correctly. Deputy ministers follow very clear guidelines, they follow the Financial Administration Act, they do their business. They do what they are getting paid for. I see no reason why we would change the way we do business. We carry out business on behalf of the people in the Northwest Territories and we do it properly.
Further Return To Question 294-13(5): Directives For Leasing Procedures
Question 294-13(5): Directives For Leasing Procedures
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Mr. Dent, regarding student loans. It is my understanding Mr. Speaker, that student loans can be forgiven if an individual finishes the course they have taken and have worked in their communities for a minimum of six months. Can the Minister tell me if this policy is still in effect?
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A person who is qualified for a remissible loan can have the loan forgiven based on the residency of the Northwest Territories. It does not mean that they have to work in the territories, they have to be living in the territories. Loans are remissed at approximately $700 every three months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to student loans, I have had a lot of concern from students in my riding who return home to Aklavik, McPherson and Arviat to basically help improve the lifestyle of the community and to assist wherever possible because of their educational backgrounds. It seemed a lot of them were having a real problem trying to get the department to see exactly how the communities operate where a lot of these people commit themselves to try and find work but also work in other sectors and the courses they have taken. I would like to ask the Minister exactly who monitors the individuals once they get back to the communities?
Supplementary To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is up to the individual ex-student to advise the department of their meeting the residence requirements and applying for remission on loans. There is no tie to a specific type of job, nor is there any tie to any job at all.
Further Return To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a letter from an individual. Can the Minister assist me on this matter in which she has received a phone call and only has until Friday to reply? Is there a way that you can ask for an extension on these matters?
Supplementary To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows I am always prepared to work with them when their constituents have problems. I cannot make any specific commitment in this situation without knowing the details, but I will be happy to meet with the Member this afternoon and review the situation.
Further Return To Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Question 295-13(5): Student Loan Remission Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
February 10th, 1998
Page 720
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. A follow up to a question I asked the other day in reference to guidelines, not necessarily in reference to the Lahm Ridge Tower situation but it was a question that was posed to me by one of my constituents. The question was, is there a ceiling or an amount of dollars that a deputy minister can commit to? Is there a level of dollars whether it is a million or $10 million that a deputy minister can commit to prior to going to the Minister for approval, or is it solely at the discretion of the deputy minister? Thank you.
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin
Return To Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 720
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I had read into the record a return to an oral question asked by Mr. O'Brien. It was to do with the financial administration and authority of spending, regarding authority for lease approvals and to inform my colleagues, under section 13 and 43 of the Financial Administration Act a Minister may delegate to a deputy minister regarding the authority for lease approvals, I wish to inform my colleagues that, under sections 13 and 43 of the Financial Administration Act, a Minister may delegate to a deputy minister or public officer of his department the expenditure or signing authority with monetary limits and conditions to meet the business needs of the position. Copies of the Financial Administration Act are available to the
Members and the public.
Further guidelines are given in Financial Administration Manual Directive 802-1 which outlines numerous provisions for the designation of officers and the delegation and application of signing authority. The financial administration guidelines state the financial signing authority limits of a position should not exceed business needs. Therefore, it would be normal duty of a public officer to initiate and approve long-term property leases. Later today I will table Financial Administration Manual Directive 802-1. Thank you.
Return To Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 721
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Question period is over. Mr. O'Brien, you may conclude your supplementary. Mr. O'Brien.
Supplementary To Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 721
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I read the comments again in the Hansard that Mr. Morin made yesterday. My question would be a point of clarification. What we were looking for was the exact amount, if there was an amount that was stipulated in the act? The second part of my question is the Minister is indicating that the Minister may delegate the authority to the deputy minister in order for the deputy minister to make this decision that he must delegate? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 721
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin
Further Return To Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 721
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it states clearly, the Minister may delegate. The word must is not there, it is may.
Further Return To Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 721
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.
Supplementary To Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Question 296-13(5): Commitment Authority Of Deputy Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 721
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question I am asking then, in order for a deputy minister to have this authority would I assume he must be given this permission by the Minister?