This is page numbers 1 - 24 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 2nd 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 services.

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Further Return To Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 21st, 2000

Page 10

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, the situation has not changed. We are still in a situation where we have to manage our resources very well. It is true that if everything else continues, if we continue spending as we have, the projection is the same. If we do not have any new revenues, then we will have a difficult situation to face some months from now. I cannot confirm that it will be 18 months or whenever. Mr. Speaker, we are optimistic that over the next few weeks and months, that plans and options we are working on will give us some direction that will lead us out of this situation. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 10

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Roland.

Supplementary To Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 10

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, knowing that we are optimistic on a number of fronts to try and correct the current situation we find ourselves in, and knowing that we are quite a ways behind what is a normal budgeting cycle, has there been work undergoing that would ensure we do not hit our debt wall in this upcoming fiscal year? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 10

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 10

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I can assure you that the Department of Finance is working on a number of options for us. We have given assurance that we will not hit that wall. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Question 3-14(2): GNWT Financial Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 10

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services which is, I believe, the department responsible for telecommunications. Could the Minister tell me if the government has developed or is developing an intervention for the public hearing process announced by the CRTC to consider long distance competition in the North?

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, the Honourable Vince Steen.

Return To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 10

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the present time, the department is working on a submission that we will make to the CRTC in Whitehorse. Either myself as the Minister responsible or possibly the Premier will make a presentation at that time. Thank you.

Return To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 10

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 10

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister advise whether the government will demand the CRTC hold some part of those hearings in the Northwest Territories?

Supplementary To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The Minister responsible for Public Works, Mr. Steen.

Further Return To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware that we raised this issue at all. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Minister said he is not aware of it, I hope the Minister will look into this situation. I would like to ask the Minister to commit to seeking a way in which to ask the CRTC to hold some of those hearings in the Northwest Territories.

Supplementary To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. I am not sure if that was a question or a bit of a comment, but the Minister can answer if he wishes.

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member has a very good point, and the department will bring that to the attention of the CRTC and Northwestel as well. No doubt it will be suggested that there should be some hearing held in this Territory. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Oral questions, Mr. Dent, your final supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Further Return Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I noted in my statement, given our fiscal situation and the impact per capita funding has in our grant, will the Minister meet with NorthwesTel to seek a commitment within a reasonable time for an equitable share of positions in the Northwest Territories, particularly senior management positions?

Supplementary To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Further Return Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The Minister responsible for Public Works, Mr. Steen.

Further Return To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Further Return Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will commit to that. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Further Return Question 4-14(2): Crtc Public Hearing Intervention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding addiction funding. I received a letter from the Minister this morning stating that funding is available to clients with different needs to access other types of addiction treatment in the south, that being people who cannot receive the treatment they require in the North. I would appreciate clarification about what kind of funding is available for people to attend treatment in the south.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen.

Return To Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Member for North Slave for his correspondence and for the interest that he has shown in this issue of addictions. It is definitely recognized by this government that addictions pose a very critical challenge to our people, and being responsible now for the Department of Health and Social Services, we want to look at every way possible we can to address the need of people with addictions.

We have treatment facilities available here in the Northwest Territories. Sometimes our people require referrals to specialized institutions where clients may have more than one addiction or may have special needs for services which are not available in the Northwest Territories. In that case, referrals are made to institutions in the south.

I do not know exactly what kinds of dollars are available, but I do know a sizeable amount of money from the boards and from the department are spent on referrals to these institutions. What specific dollars are available to the health boards for these referrals, I could not respond to. I would certainly get the information for the Member and provide it to him. Thank you.