This is page numbers 1143 - 1180 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th 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 policy.

Topics

Further Return To Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1159

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, devolution negotiations commenced just about a year ago now, since September 2002. There has been an aggressive agenda set to complete the devolution agreement. There are very complex types of discussions going on and we still need to do a lot of work in trying to come to grips with exactly what it is we could get out of the federal government. Of course, there will be consultation with the other stakeholders that have interest in the Northwest Territories, such as the municipalities and industry, to ensure that the impact of any type of transfer of authority through devolution is minimal. So that work still has to get done. At this point in time, we have been developing negotiating positions. We want to reach a devolution agreement by 2005. So we still have some time here. Once we come to a good agreement with the Aboriginal Summit on some of these negotiating positions, then we will be prepared to consult with all the stakeholders.

Further Return To Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that information. As the devolution process continues, we are working on a framework with Canada, with the Aboriginal Summit. Can we anticipate that at least this framework document will give some indication and some clarity to address the concerns of our municipalities? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a framework agreement done in the springtime, in April, at the last intergovernmental forum meeting that was held in Inuvik. To look at the status of negotiations to date, the leaders at that time wanted to do a short framework agreement that has gone to the respective people who we represent. This framework agreement has been negotiated and is expected to be signed some time in the middle of October. The detailed work that has been done is continuing for the agreement-in-principle to ensure that we meet our targets. The framework agreement, once it's approved, will be an appropriate document to share with all the stakeholders. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Question 365-14(6): Community Involvement In Devolution Negotiations
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask further questions to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. I don't believe he's provided information about how he's spending public money on behalf of the public. He mentioned that this funding that he used to give a $10,000 cheque to 12 people was based on discretion and it was also application based. So which it is, Mr. Speaker? Was it based on application or was it based on Ministerial discretion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.

Return To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision was based on the NWT Housing Corporation Act, a section of that act, as it applies. Thank you.

Return To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister give us the name of this program that he gave the money out under?

Supplementary To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.

Further Return To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated, it was done under the auspices of the NWT Housing Corporation Act. There are various components of that that would apply in this instance. So that was path that I used. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seeing as he's been the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation for a long time now, I am assuming that he's very knowledgeable about the act. So could the Minister be kind and provide us with the name of the program in this act, under which he spent $120,000? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.

Further Return To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I find that to be irrelevant to the point. Anyway, the point: As I stated, there are certain aspects of the act that are defined under general powers. There are other sections, 24, 33 and 37. Those are components of the act that I referenced. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope he's not suggesting that, under those clauses, he has the freedom to just write cheques in the amount of $10,000 and give to 12 people. Is that what he's saying, Mr. Speaker?

Supplementary To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.

Further Return To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, there is some prerequisite to that. I am going to reiterate that there was consultation conducted between the municipality and the tenants. They had a process. I followed up that process with the consultation meeting with the tenants. We arrived at an equitable decision to assist them. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Question 366-14(6): Lot Subsidies In Inuvik
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 1160

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Time for question period has ended. Item 8, written questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Written Question 10-14(6): Lot Subsidy Payments In Inuvik
Item 8: Written Questions

October 1st, 2003

Page 1161

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my written question is addressed to the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.

Please provide answers to the following questions prior to the end of this Assembly.

1. What was the criteria that the people in Inuvik who received a $10,000 subsidy each to purchase their lot in Husky Trailer Park had to meet to receive their funding?

2. Did they have to file an application for the money? If so, when were they filed?

3. What approval process was followed in receiving and approving these applications and who approved them?

4. Was the application opportunity open to the general public? If so, how were the general public informed about the availability of this funding?

5. What is the name of the program from which these monies were given?

6. How much money is budgeted in this program?

7. Is there room for Ministerial discretion in qualifying for this program? If so, what is the criteria or guidelines the Minister uses to exercise his discretion?

8. Were any of the 12 people who received the $10,000 payment a member of his family or otherwise related to the Minister? If so, how? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 8, written questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question also directed to Minister Allen reflecting somewhat that of my colleague. I have one question.

1. What discretion does the Minister have to make unusual allocations that are outside Housing corporation policies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.