The Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We take all motions in this House seriously. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

It will take some time to answer this question, so my colleague understands the concept in which it was done. The reality is that the city of Yellowknife has taken the largest amount of hits in the Deficit Elimination Strategy. Coupled with that, there is going to be 150 to 200 jobs that are going to disappear with division. With that, you have the crisis in the gold market which laid off even more people. As Finance Minister, I am concerned. I was as concerned then, as I am now. There is a requirement for stability in the investment community, a requirement for stability within the banking community and there is a requirement to ensure that Yellowknife gets treated no differently than anybody else. The $400,000 which I was actively involved in, and I am proud to say that, is a one time effort to assist Yellowknife to get out there and find alternatives to the hits it has taken over the last two or three years. I fundamentally believe that if the centre gets weakened to the point where the investment community is not prepared to continue to invest, it has a ripple effect outside of Yellowknife, whether it is in Iqaluit, Arviat, Cambridge Bay or Fort McPherson. That is the reason that request had my support and I requested it be done. It was a one-time deal and an effort to try and bring some support to Yellowknife for the first time in 25 years, in a time of extreme difficulties. I believe it warranted it then and still believe it warrants it now. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, everybody took its share of hits. Yellowknife took more than its share of hits, coupled with the fact that division is taking place and there are more hits to come. As the Finance Minister, I am concerned about fiscal stability within the overall territorial framework. We could be sitting in Yellowknife, a year from now, with 300,000 square feet of office space empty. That has an impact, my belief as Finance Minister, on what takes place in Inuvik, Rankin Inlet, et cetera. In fact, we did put more money back into the budget, $16 million in the employment side, in which communities like my honourable colleague represents, received its fair share.

--Applause.

If I may, Mr. Speaker, in the ten-year allocation by community, for example, in Fort McPherson, the average, which my colleague frequently criticized us for, the per capita dollars were $25; the per capital dollars in Yellowknife were $7. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. About a week ago, February 20th, the arena was supposed to be open in my constituency of Hall Beach, but it was delayed until March 2nd. The reason was that the Minister informed my constituents that she could not attend. Now it is supposed to be open on March 2nd because of the Minister not being able to go to Hall Beach. Will the Minister be in Hall Beach on March 2nd to open the arena? Thank you. (Translation ends)

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason why I delayed the opening of the arena was, and I told the regional office in Iqaluit, I will not be able to attend at that time. I also asked them if we could delay it further for March 2nd. I would like to say today that I will not be able to go to Hall Beach. It is very unfortunate. I cannot attend. Thank you, Mr. Speaker (Translation ends)

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the Legislative Assembly session some of the Members are not able to attend the session. I wonder why you cannot go to my community to open up the arena. It would have been fair for me as a constituent of Hall Beach that you should be able to attend the opening of the arena. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Ms. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not saying that Mark Evaloarjuk's riding is a low priority, but we were given some instructions by the Premier that we could attend important functions. It is unfortunate we could not change it. I have to get approval from the Premier to do stuff like that. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am a little flustered, Mr. Speaker, all these attacks on Yellowknife today, will you please excuse me. My question, Mr. Speaker, is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. A number of times in this House, I had requested the Minister to look at modernizing the Workers' Compensation Act, particularly one section, the section which the WCB retains the right to sue their own individuals whom the organization was set up to protect. Mr. Speaker, I note in the review of the Workers' Compensation Act, there is a report of the chief commissioner of boards and agencies. There are a couple of very interesting statements made here. It supports the position I am taking that this particular part of the section should be removed. The chief commissioner noted this particular section was, indeed, archaic. It was a unique provision in the act that was never intended to continue for the long term. It also goes on to recommend the particular offending section should be removed and the balance of the section reworded to reflect the protection of all employers and their workers covered by the act. Mr. Speaker, I will again ask the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation, if he will consider introducing legislation in the fall, minor legislation, to remove this particular section from the Workers' Compensation Act as has been recommended by Members of this House and by the chief commissioner on boards and agencies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for Workers' Compensation Board. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As my honourable colleague knows the Workers' Compensation Board Legislation, has not been touched since 1988, if my memory serves me correctly. There was a requirement given in 1990, for some change to that act. I will take into consideration my colleague's suggestion. I would not want to commit today to say I will bring a minor amendment in the fall. I will certainly take his question and talk to the staff and see if, in fact, I can respond in a positive way. Thank you.