Mr. Chairman, some years ago, perhaps 15 years ago, there was a situation in terms of ministerial assignments, similar to that of today, wherein one Minister, the Minister of Justice, was also the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. The Housing Corporation in those days operated very much as an independent legal entity, as a third party, as it were, almost from government. The decision was made 15 years ago for the Housing Corporation to give the Department of Justice $50,000 a year as a block retainer against any and all legal services that it might wish to purchase from the government. I had discussions with one president of the Housing Corporation in 1996 if he saw any need to change that arrangement. He did not, I have not, and so we do whatever legal work we are asked to do by the NWT Housing Corporation and it provides its retainer of $50,000 to our department every year.
Mr. Cooper on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on March 14th, 2002. See this statement in context.
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
March 13th, 2002
Page 676
Cooper
See context to find out what was said next.