This is page numbers 91 - 116 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 7th 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 aboriginal.

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James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I will be voting in favour of this motion. As an aboriginal person, I am a strong supporter of the aboriginal organization. I have been here long enough and have been with the organizations since before the Indian Brotherhood was even formed back in 1968. Ever since then, I have been working with the Dene Nation and have seen the Metis Association formed. I have served on the Territorial Council back in 1970, 1975 and then got re-elected about 20 years later, and then I came to the House. However, I have a lot of trust at the community level, that I do trust all my leaders. In all those years that I have been absent from the political scene, I think I have trusted my MLA's and our MP's and our government, especially in my organization as well. I believe that the Metis Association has the right to voice themselves according to the Dene Nation. The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories does have the right to voice themselves as well. On behalf of the people within my riding, I have served that on behalf of my good judgment sometimes. I am not always in favour of the government's perception anyway, and in some cases I have voted against the government. The majority of the time, I think I have been in favour of the government's perception as well.

However, I think it is about time we have to come to some sort of solution; we try to get into the political solutions, however, I do not think we are getting anywhere in the end. The court had to settle the question for us now that we have to come back and have another motion to appeal. All along, like I said, I have been in favour and have worked along with my aboriginal organizations. With that in mind, I would be supporting this appeal motion and the best interest and best support of my aboriginal background. Whatever the outcome of this whole motion, I would imagine that the world will still be going and however the court will serve its purpose, I guess how things will prevail as of May. So I will be supporting this appeal of motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. To the motion. Mr. Morin, your closing remarks?

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In closing remarks, I would like to thank the Members who are supporting this motion, thank the Members that are abstaining. I would also like to thank the Members who are voting against this motion. All Members who came here three and a half years ago to work for the betterment of the Northwest Territories, we all came here to work for our constituents. That is the number one thing. We all come here to make sure that all the people in the Northwest Territories are treated equal and fair. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that Justice de Weerdt's decision is not fair to the north. It is not fair to the people in Yellowknife, it is not fair to the people in Lutselk'e or Tuktoyaktuk or any other community in the Northwest Territories.

We have the responsibility, as elected people, the aboriginal government has the responsibility as elected people, to develop a new government for a new western Arctic, for a new territory. I hope, I sincerely hope, Mr. Speaker, that we take those responsibilities seriously and we get to the table and develop a government for the western Arctic that will truly reflect all the peoples' unique characteristics throughout the western territory. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the Members of the House for taking time to consider my motion today, and everybody remember, there are never any winners or losers. The key here is the people of the western Arctic will win because we will develop a government that will reflect all their needs in the western Arctic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to request a recorded vote at the proper time. Mahsi.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The Member for Tu Nedhe is requesting a recorded vote. All those in favour of the motion, please stand.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Morin, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Rabesca.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

All those voting against the motion, please stand.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Ootes, Mrs. Groenewegen.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. All those abstaining, please stand.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Ng, Mr. Roland, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Steen, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Dent, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. O'Brien.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The results of motion 5-13 (7) are five for, two against, 11 abstentions. The motion is carried.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 17, First reading of bills. Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the greatest respect, I would like to seek unanimous consent to return to question period. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Tu Nedhe is seeking unanimous consent to go back to oral questions. Do we have any nays? I am sorry, Mr. Morin, you do not have unanimous consent. First reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act to revise the electoral districts for Hay River, Inuvik, and Yellowknife for the purposes of establishing five additional electoral districts. This bill also revises the electoral districts for Deh Cho to include the community of Enterprise. In addition, this bill eliminates ten current electoral districts that will be located in Nunavut on the establishment of that new territory. It makes minor amendments to the description of some of the other existing electoral districts by replacing reference to Nunavut Settlement Area Boundary with reference to the Nunavut/Northwest Territories Boundary and provides that it will come into force on the first dissolution of the Legislative Assembly after April 1st, 1999. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Bill 15 has had second reading and accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee. Second reading of bills. Item 19, Consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Bill 13 and Bill 14 with Mr. Steen 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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

I would like to call the committee to order. For consideration by the committee of the whole this afternoon, we have Bill 13 and Bill 14. Could I get some direction how the committee wishes to proceed? 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

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I recommend that we proceed with Bill 13 and Bill 14, in that order.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Does the committee agree?

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

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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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you. We will proceed in that order after we have taken a break. Thank you.

--Break

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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

I call the committee to order. I would like to call on the Minister responsible for Bill 13 for consideration by the committee, we have Bill 13 and Bill 14 and we have agreed to proceed with Bill 13 first. I would like to call on the Minister responsible, on behalf of Mr. Todd, I would like to call on Mr. Dent to introduce the bill. Would you introduce the bill, 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

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Chairman, I am introducing Bill 13, An Act To Amend the Financial Administration Act. This bill amends the Financial Administration Act in two ways: by permitting the Minister of Finance to invest surplus money in accordance with the regulations and policies established by the Financial Management Board, and by clarifying the definition of a Public Officer.

Sections 57 and 81 of the Financial Administration Act, which defines the securities eligible for investment by the government and by public agencies, makes reference to the federal Canadian and British Insurance Companies Act. This act was repealed in 1991 and, therefore, the reference is no longer appropriate.

Bill 13 amends the Financial Administration Act to outline the investments in securities, investments or loans which may be made by the Minister of Finance.

Currently, Mr. Chairman, subsections 57(1)(A) and (B) are very narrow in scope because reliance was placed on subsection 57(1)(C) for inclusion of all other acceptable investments. With the repeal of the federal Canadian and British Insurance Companies Act, section 57(1)(C) became meaningless and it is now necessary to amend each subsection to permit the Minister of Finance to invest surplus money in accordance with the regulations and policies established by the Financial Management Board.

However, these amendments, Mr. Chairman, do not broaden the range of investments permitted under the act but provide enhanced flexibility for the Department of Finance to invest the government's funds. The department has developed internal investment policies consistent with these guidelines and these policies are regularly reviewed by a departmental investment committee.

Mr. Chairman, Bill 13 also changes the definition of "Public Officer" from "individual" to "person". Since the legal definition of a "person" includes a corporation, this amendment will allow the Minister of Finance to appoint a corporate agent, such as a fund manager, to invest the government's money. This change will allow the government to access the broader and more sophisticated knowledge of fund managers expert in the investing business.

The investment powers and responsibilities of the act are delegated to the deputy minister of Finance by directive. The deputy minister is responsible for ensuring prudent investment and management of government funds. 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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Dent. I would like to call on the Member for Hay River, Ms. Groenewegen, on behalf of the Infrastructure Committee for the committee's comments on the bill.

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

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

The Standing Committee on Infrastructure reviewed Bill 13, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act, on March 23, 1998.

The committee would like to thank the Minister of Finance and his officials for presenting the bill. The bill will amend the Financial Administration Act to expand the definition of a public officer to include a person acting as an agent of the government, authorize the investment of funds in the consolidated revenue fund and money belonging to public agencies in specified classes of investment, add a regulation-making power respecting the investment of money by the government and public agencies, and finally, permit the Workers' Compensation Board to invest in any securities and investments that it deems to be prudent.

The committee expressed concern that the amendment would not ensure investments meet conventional standards of creditworthiness. The Minister assured the committee that the amendments would provide the necessary regulation-making ability to set prudent and comfortable standards of investment guidelines.

Finally, the committee was concerned as to why an amendment was required now when the investment guidelines under the Canadian and British Insurance Companies Act expired in 1991. The Minister replied that the government's investment guidelines need to be established to ensure a greater degree of clarity and accountability.

Mr. Chairman, following the committee's review, a motion was carried to report Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act, to the Assembly as ready for the committee of the whole. Additional comments or questions of Members may be posed as we proceed. 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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. On behalf of the committee, I offer the Minister the opportunity to bring in witnesses if he wishes.