Debates of Sept. 25th, 1998

This is page numbers 222 - 248 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was seniors.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
The New West - A New Economic Force In Confederation
International Year Of Older Persons
Status Of Women Council
Breast Cancer/run For The Cure
Annual Meeting Of The Ministers Responsible For The Status Of Women
Victims Assistance Committee
Cancer Rates Among Northern Residents
Relocation Of Inuit To Broughton Island
Affirmative Action Policy Review
Comments On Western Governance
Dene First Nations Issues And Concerns
International Year Of Older Persons
Together For A Health North Telethon
Evans Report On Crime And Corrections
Request For Carving Conference In Cape Dorset
Return To Oral Question 43-13(6): P3 Public Servant Confidentiality Agreement
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Affirmative Action Review
Cancer Studies In The Mackenzie Delta
Uptake On The Aurora Fund
Seniors' Fuel Subsidy
P3 Confidentiality Agreement
Western Governance
Senior Homeowner Repair Grant
Health Care Professionals
Water Quality In Aklavik And Fort Mcpherson
Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Transfer Of Federal Authorities To The North
Baker Lake Bridge Installation
Late Payments Of Loans
Kivallivik Dentistry Services
Diamond Mining Economic Benefits
Resource Development Tax Base
Diamond Mining Joint Ventures
Written Question 4-13(6): Ministerial Travel Reporting Requirements
Tabled Document 19-13(6): List Of All Inter-activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000
Tabled Document 20-13(6): Letter To The Commissioner From The Minister Of Indian Affairs And Northern Development
Tabled Document 21-13(6): Northwest Territories Judicial Remuneration Commission Report To The Minister Of Justice
Tabled Document 22-13(6): Victims Assistance Committee Of The Nwt, Ninth Annual Report April 1997 To March 1998
Tabled Document 23-13(6): Letter From Quqshuun Ilihakvik Centre To The Kitikmeot Board Of Education
Extended Adjournment
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Education Act And The Property Assessment And Taxation Act
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Property Assessment And Taxation Act
Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2, 1998-99
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Motion 6-13(6): Extended Adjournment
Item 16: Motions

Page 241

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

I MOVE seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that not withstanding rule 4, that when this House adjourns on Friday, September 25, 1998, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday November 4, 1998.

AND FURTHER that any time prior to November 4, 1998, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time.

Motion 6-13(6): Extended Adjournment
Item 16: Motions

Page 241

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99 with Mrs. Groenewegen in the Chair.

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 241

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. I would like to call committee of the whole to order. We are on Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99. Yesterday when the committee adjourned we were on page 15 of the detail consideration of the bill. At this time I would like to ask the Minister if he would like to call his witnesses back to the table. The committee agrees that the sergeant-at-arms should invite the witnesses to the table. Agreed?

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 241

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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 241

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. Given the interest of time, we will proceed with the bill. Detail department, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Operations and maintenance, resource management and economic development, not previously authorized, $1.5 million. Mr. Krutko.

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 241

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Regarding

the questions I asked the Minister yesterday, I would like to ask the Minister if he received any information on the subsidies that this mine has received. There is $1.2 million in regard to the power rate and also this grant. I asked the Minister yesterday if he received any information on other funds that this mine might have received from other funded agencies of this government?

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 241

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. 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 241

John Todd Keewatin Central

I have to clarify it again for the third time, Madam Chairperson. There is no subsidy in relationship to the power. It is mainly a line of credit. I do not have that information now, Mr. Krutko asked me late yesterday evening and I do not have that with me today. My understanding of it is there has been no long-term subsidies to this company, but I am having it checked into.

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 241

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Krutko.

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 241

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Can the Minister clarify this line of credit for the $1.2 million. Is that for year-by-year or is that carried on? Is it spread out over five years or is it a one-year-basis? What are the pay back arrangements? Is it a year-to-year basis?

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 241

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Minister 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 241

John Todd Keewatin Central

I may have used the wrong context of assistance that has been provided in the power costs. I would prefer if Mr. Dent, who is far more familiar with the detail of this arrangement could answer the question so that once and for all, my honourable colleague, Mr. Krutko can understand what we have done. If you do not mind, Madam Chairperson.

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 241

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. The question has been referred to Mr. Dent.

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 241

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. This government has provided a guarantee to the NWT Power Corporation that covers the outstanding amounts on the Giant Mine power bill. The reason for this was that while Giant Mine was awaiting proceeds of its financing program, it got considerably in arrears in paying its power bills. The Power Corporation because of the terms of service filed with the Public Utilities Board was going to have to shut the power off to the mine. The advice we received was that if the government provided direction to the Power Corporation not to do that, that it would be a shareholders' responsibility for those funds which is the same thing as guaranteeing the payments. What Cabinet has done is provided the Power Corporation, not Giant Mine with the guarantee that those bills will be paid. The Power Corporation has in place now a payment schedule which is being adhered to by Giant Mine to bring their power bill to current, over the course of the next ten or 11 months. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

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 241

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Dent.

Resource management and economic development, not previously authorized, $1.5 million. Mr. Krutko.

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 242

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I would like to move a motion.

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 242

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

The motion is being distributed. Mr. Krutko.

Committee Motion 6-13(6): Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 242

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I move that the amount of $1.5 million be deleted from Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99 under the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, under operation and maintenance activities and resource management and development.

Committee Motion 6-13(6): Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 242

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion has been defeated. Thank you.

Resource, Management and Economic Development, not previously authorized, $1.5 million. Agreed?

Committee Motion 6-13(6): Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 242

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 6-13(6): Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 242

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed. Mr. Krutko.

Committee Motion 6-13(6): Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 242

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Can the Minister tell me is other industry, such as oil and gas, forestry, what not, will they have the same opportunity as Giant Mine, when it comes to giving financial assistance under the same terms of this agreement, with no hesitation, so they have the same opportunity to be allowed access to this type of money from this government?

Committee Motion 6-13(6): Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 242

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Todd.

Committee Motion 6-13(6): Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 242

John Todd Keewatin Central

If we are in a similar situation where you have an operating company that has some difficulty then obviously precedent has been established and each application and request would have to be treated on its own merit and Cabinet of the day would have to decide. Thank you.

Committee Motion 6-13(6): Motion To Delete $1.5 Million From Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1998-99
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 242

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Krutko.