Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we will have to acknowledge the importance of that petition as it applies. Again, it also provides direction a little more closely to the community to see if we can meet their ever-growing needs. I believe the other element to that is that once we introduce this new funding formula, it will allow the communities a little more flexibility to establish their own priorities. That is another given that will allow the communities to participate more fully in determining what their priorities are. We look forward to those discussions with the communities. Thank you.
Debates of March 2nd, 2001
This is page numbers 1459 - 1499 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 3rd 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 community.
Topics
Taxation
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 2nd, 2001
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Minister made the point that he did not see it in the capital plan. I believe it is scheduled for the capital plan in 2005, in that area. I think it is already in the five-year plan system. It is a matter of trying to move it up. How easy is it to move a capital item up if the community decides to make that a priority versus something else?
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Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
I will ask the deputy minister to answer that particular question. Thank you.
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Murray
I would be concerned depending on what kind of project they wanted to exchange it for. For example, if it was a water and sewer project, I would be concerned. If it was for another kind of recreation facility or for a piece of heavy equipment or some other type of non-safety issue, I think that is exactly the way we should be going, where the communities do make those kinds of decisions.
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe it is another capital item on the books, but I do not believe it has anything to do with the water treatment facility. If it is another capital item extended over a period of time, and if there is a possibility of moving that further ahead and moving that project up?
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Murray
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, it is possible to make those kinds of exchanges if the community wishes, keeping in mind that we have to put an emphasis on health and safety issues as a priority across the board.
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The Chair Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Murray. Mr. Murray, your microphone was not on for your last comments. Do you want to repeat that?
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Murray
I was just saying that it is possible for the communities, if you will, to switch projects as long as the amounts are similar and the funding can be found and as long as it is not related to the health and safety of residents. As I said before, I would be very concerned if we were dropping a water and sewer project or that type of thing for recreation facilities.
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the issue of recreation, in the case of Aklavik, they are going to build a new health centre on their existing ball diamond. How involved is the department on that? They are looking at something like $250,000 to replace that ball diamond over a couple of years. Have you considered the community being able to use those funds to move it to another project? What kinds of guarantees does the community have that the money will be there to replace the existing ball diamond?
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Murray
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It has been my understanding since the first time I have heard this question several months back, and every time we checked, if the health centre takes the site and goes on the ball diamond, then there is enough money within the project to replace the ball diamond elsewhere within the community. I have heard nothing to tell me that has changed. There is a process whereby departments get together and talk about their various capital projects and nothing has come to our attention. If there is a specific concern that you have heard, we can follow up on that.
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a number of questions under regional operations. The first one I will deal with is the issue of the liability insurance. I was in and out of the House, so if the Minister has already addressed this, he can just sort of nod and I will not ask him again. The question is about the steps that are being taken to work with the municipalities in light of these astronomical heights in municipal liability insurance or that the communities get through the NWTAM. What steps are being taken to try to deal with that issue given the short time before the current policy expires? Thank you.
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Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I was not aware whether the Member was in the House or not when I did make an earlier comment, but from a letter we received February 28th from the NWTAM, we acknowledge that there is going to be increased costs to the municipalities. We are cognizant of that. We understand the negative impact of those decisions. From there, Municipal and Community Affairs and the NWTAM has decided to explore not only short-term solutions, but long-term solutions as well. We want to come to a rather quick resolution of this. Hopefully, we will be done prior to April 1st.
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that this is a complex issue with both short-term and immediate implications and longer-term ones. I was wondering if the Minister could indicate a possible area that they are looking at in the short term, given the fact that it is a little over three weeks until the end of the month. Thank you.
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Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, according to the letter and according with our communication back with the NWTAM, we are currently working on not only the estimates, but we...(inaudible)...to exploring those options. They have committed to working with us and we have committed to working with them to come to a rapid conclusion. Thank you.