This is page numbers 137 - 168 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 development.

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Supplementary To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 151

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 151

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, we do not have any plans to make cuts. It is not part of a plan. I can assure you that as we develop our plans then we can be making more definitive statements. But I think, as the Premier indicated earlier with the no layoff policy; although the policy does not exist, we still live by that same set of principles.

If it is at all possible to manage our budget without having any layoffs, then we would prefer that. Because layoffs impact not only the individuals but also on us in terms of our population. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 151

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 28th, 2000

Page 151

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this possibly is one area that we could get some assurance from the Minister. We have talked about the federal budget that just came down. If there is any benefit to the Territories at all, would the Minister anticipate that we may have enough benefit there to maintain what we do have in the private sector as far as jobs and public service programs?

Supplementary To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 151

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Minister Handley.

Supplementary To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 151

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, I will have to have clarification on the question. I did not really understand it.

Supplementary To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 151

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Delorey, perhaps you could just restate your question?

Supplementary To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 151

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Simply that with any benefits that we may receive from the federal government in the budget that just came down, does the Minister anticipate that this will be enough to maintain what we do in terms of public service jobs and programs?

Supplementary To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Definitely we will receive some benefits out of the federal budget, in a number of areas such as we mentioned; health and social transfer, forestry, geosciences and so on. We will get some benefits. But whether or not this is enough is a little bit difficult to judge at this point.

I expect it is going to be enough to maintain what we have in some areas. But as I mentioned earlier, in other areas like health and social programs, I do not believe there is going to be enough. It is too early to be definitive on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier.

I listened yesterday very intently as Mr. Steen spoke in committee of the whole during the consideration of The Report of the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services.

I know that it is not contrary to the rules, but it is almost unheard of for a Minister to speak to a government document. Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if this was an indication of a new openness in government, where we will see more discussion and free votes from Members of Cabinet.

Specifically, Mr. Speaker, my question is will the Premier now allow a free vote on the important motion on the Mackenzie Valley pipeline when it comes up for discussion this afternoon.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Premier, Stephen Kakfwi.

Return To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I do not see where the two are related. But in the latter part of the question, he is asking whether there is going to be a free vote on the matter. It has been customary for the Premier and Ministers to abstain from voting on motions on legislation that is intended to provide direction to government. Thank you.

Return To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Premier Kakfwi. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, the Premier is right. In my experience it is extremely rare for the government side to vote on a motion. But it is also extremely rare for a Cabinet Minister to criticize government policies. Mr. Speaker, looking at page 309 of the unedited Hansard from yesterday, it appears that Mr. Steen was critical of Health and Social Service's policy governing medical travel, and further suggests that we eliminate health boards since MLAs can represent communities. Mr. Speaker, is it now the position of this government that we eliminate health boards and have MLAs represent the communities?

Return To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. I think there is a bit of confusion over the questions here. I think we dealt with two different issues. I will allow you to return to the first issue you were dealing with and ask a question based on that.

Supplementary To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was asking about a change in government policy, where government does not normally speak to issues in this House or vote on motions before the House. It appeared in yesterday's discussion that there had been a change in policy. Minister Steen was clearly critical of some of the government's policies. I was asking whether or not Mr. Steen was speaking as a Cabinet representative and giving us a government position?.

Supplementary To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The question deals with the government's policy. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We thank the Member for raising the issue. It is true that Ministers are not expected to ask questions of other Ministers, or to question the other policies of government in this House or in committee of the whole.

I have spoken to Mr. Steen. It is understandably confusing to recall when the forum was traveling in the communities, many of us, including ourselves, appeared before the Minister's forum, making some comments, offering advice, our views and our opinions. Unbeknownst to Mr. Steen, we had expected that once the forum had continued its work, we also contributed our input to that report.

When the report was appearing here in the committee, it was not expected that Ministers would be allowed to continue to comment on the report. We have dealt with it. It is understood and that should put that issue to rest. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Premier Kakfwi. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that response and the fact the policy on government Members speaking to documents in this House has not changed. However, I would like to put this specific question to the Minister again. Did the Minister express government policy yesterday? Does this government now have a position that health boards should be replaced with MLAs?

Supplementary To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Premier Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 152

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have read Hansard. I do not see any explicit statements made to create the impression the Member is eluding to. No, Mr. Steen was not espousing government policy when he made his comments yesterday. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Question 79-14(2): Free Vote On Pipeline Motion
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 153

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Premier Kakfwi. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.