Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Debates of Feb. 4th, 1998
Topics
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
John Todd Keewatin Central
The concern, Mr. Chairman, at the time was that during the festive season, whether we philosophically agree with it or not, there is a great deal of cheer that gets undertaken. The bars and the restaurants that create jobs and opportunities for northern people have a requirement to have access to the warehouses so that they can keep their facilities open, people at work and hopefully people enjoying themselves in a reasonable way during the festive season. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Picco.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My second question concerns the Iqaluit liquor warehouse. Last year during review of the department's main estimates, I had asked a question concerning the fraud case in Iqaluit with the liquor warehouse. At that time the Minister could not let me know what had happened because it was pending a court case. I understand that has now been solved but there has been nothing released to the media about exactly what had happened, where the person had gone and so on. I would ask at this time when we are looking at the Liquor Commission Revolving Fund how much money had been lost to the fund? Was there insurance carried and has the case been settled? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This matter is still under investigation with the RCMP and it would be improper of me to comment any further. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Liquor Commission, Revolving Fund. Mr. Picco.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
Edward Picco Iqaluit
For clarification purposes, can the Minister and his staff let us know how long this has been under investigation?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
John Todd Keewatin Central
I am told that the irregularities are in 1995-96. I am advised that on March 29, 1996, the general manager of the NWT Liquor Commission arrived in Iqaluit to conduct the year-end count and noticed initial evidence of irregularities. It has probably been going on for close to a couple of years. My notes suggest that I should make no comment because it is under investigation and I am sure my colleague understands fully the implication of my comments. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Picco.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, when the investigation is concluded can we have a commitment from the Minister that he would make that information known to this Member and the House so that the public at large know? I have had people ask me what happened with it, what is going on. It seems to me quite a long investigation if you go back to 1995-96.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Chairman, I will be only too happy to provide my colleague with the findings once the case has been concluded. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Information item, Liquor Commission Revolving Fund. Agreed? Mr. Steen.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, can I get an explanation of what is the authorized fund limit of $6.5 million?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Setchell advises me that this is the limit that the commission can spend with respect to the acquisition of inventory, operational capital, working capital, et cetera. It is the working capital of the Liquor Commission for it to be able to do its job. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Steen.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am not quite clear why this is called a revolving fund. It shows a revenue of $31 million and expenses of $15 million. How is this a revolving fund?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 567
John Todd Keewatin Central
Indeed it does revolve, Mr. Chairman. We give them $6.5 million to run their operations and any surplus over and above that comes back to us. It goes in and it comes out. It is a revolving fund of $6.5 million. Any excess on that $6.5 million comes back to the government. It is a means in which to operate the commission and ensure there is adequate inventory, et cetera, for the public at large and, of course, the private sector in the bars and restaurant business. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 568
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. I will allow Mr. Steen to ask a question but at this time I would like to recognize the honourable Member for Hay River, Madam Groenewegen.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 568
Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I wish to draw to the committee's attention the fact that I have a controlling interest in a company, Greenway Holdings Limited, which leases to the headquarters for the NWT Liquor Commission. As such, I would like to declare a conflict, withdraw from the debate. I would also like the record to reflect that I have just entered the Chamber and have not been present during the debate on the NWT Liquor Commission. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
--Applause
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 568
The Chair John Ningark
That conflict is noted. Mr. Steen.