This is page numbers 833 - 910 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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 chairman.

Topics

Further Return To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

June 17th, 2002

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to ask this question to the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. It has to do with oil and gas development in the Northwest Territories. After a long day yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I was sitting at home and listening to the news. It seems to me I heard, coming from a meeting in Toronto, that Imperial Oil was pressing the federal government to put some subsidies in place to help promote the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline. Could the Minister tell us whether he is aware of any moves by the producer groups to get the federal government to provide subsidies to promote an oil and gas pipeline? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley pipeline and the producer group, Imperial Oil, is the lead company in this regard. I have not had the opportunity to meet with Imperial Oil recently. If there was a media report on the radio or TV that indicates they are seeking support, I am not aware of it. Thank you.

Return To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not want this to be hypothetical, but would this government be supportive of producer groups going to the federal government for subsidies to promote a gas pipeline? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you know, the producer groups are working with the Aboriginal Pipeline Group. There was a study done trying to put together a financial package to come up with the Aboriginal Pipeline Group's share of money for the preliminary work, as well as for the project to build the pipeline. There is a requirement to get the funding in place for the Aboriginal Pipeline Group.

To comment on the honourable Member's report that there was a media release in this area, I need to know what it is they are referring to, so I do not really want to comment on that at this point. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have put a lot of emphasis on trips to Washington and the United States to provide the gas pipeline down the Mackenzie Valley. I have not heard much on it lately. I am wondering, has our government switched its attention now from Washington to Ottawa to try and educate our federal government as to the importance of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 856

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there is a lot of focus now in Ottawa by the Premier and the Finance Minister, who have gone there in the past number of visits to Ottawa. I was there once. In the series of meetings we had with the federal Ministers, the different Members of Parliament and different standing committees, the Mackenzie Valley pipeline was a big topic. Every time we go to Ottawa it has always been discussed. There is a lot of interest and there is also a lot of support for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. Yes, our focus has switched to try to educate not only Ottawa, but people in southern Canada about the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Supplementary To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Back in the 70s when there was talk of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline, there was a lot of interest at the federal government level. They had a huge oil and gas secretariat. Is there any indication that the federal government is starting to support a pipeline and re-establishing their secretariat in Ottawa? Have there been any positions filled in Ottawa in that secretariat? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 856

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 856

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are not aware that they are putting together any pipeline secretariat similar to the one back in the 70s. We are not aware of that at this point in time. The federal government has not publicly come out and officially supported the pipeline as of yet. However, the individual Ministers that we talk to are in full support, but as a government, they have not fully come out yet. I do not anticipate the creation of a departmental secretariat to oversee a pipeline operation until there is an official confirmation or official support as a government. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Question 297-14(5): Mackenzie Valley Oil And Gas Pipeline
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 856

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Roger Allen. I would like to thank the Minister for answering my questions of June 11th. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we identify communities that are in critical need of housing. The Minister has identified six, Lutselk'e being one of them. I would argue that Fort Resolution could be there as well. What is the corporation's action plan to address these critical needs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Return To Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A number of contingencies will be considered. First of all, we need to reflect, in the context of what those communities' greatest needs are, consistent with our policies. We hope that we can address them through what we call the universal project agreement. Hopefully those arrangements will be finalized some time during the summer months for those six communities.

As well, Mr. Speaker, we are trying to balance the mandate of the homeless versus those who are in core need. We are taking those into consideration as well. Our overall strategy is to review the existing policy and see where we can fit the current trends. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Supplementary To Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you. Very quickly, Mr. Speaker, would we be initiating those action plans this construction season? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 856

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Further Return To Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot commit to that overall plan, but hopefully, with some quick consultation and support throughout the system, we can manage to address some of the issues. That will hopefully be done over the course of the summer. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Question 298-14(5): Addressing Critical Housing Needs
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for the Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.