This is page numbers 13 - 38 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 1st 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 assembly.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the loan guarantee is what we would be liable for if things did not proceed at this point. That’s it. That’s the number there, but I believe it’s not $5 million, it’s a bit more than that, but that was shared with Members and I believe they’re aware of that. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the last government, devolution seemed to be the end all and be all of a focus that they have. I certainly think that we have many more issues before this Assembly to make devolution the only issue we talk about. I’d like to make sure we talk about housing and education and a whole lot of other things. But, Mr. Speaker, if a devolution deal is before us, there’s not a single Member on this side of the House who wants it to be at any cost. As we all know, it’s always about the numbers; and money certainly is a big issue. So my question to the Premier is, when we finally get a deal inked, if that ever happens in this Assembly’s lifetime, will the Premier bring the deal before the House for a vote by all Members to ensure we’re getting the best deal acceptable for the people of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we get up to speed of where this is at, I’m prepared to sit down with Members on this and update them as to where we are. As for coming to a vote for this House, that is something that I will take under review. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Premier if he and his new Cabinet would consider cancelling the whole Deh Cho Bridge project, diverting the money to starting a road down the Mackenzie Valley that would benefit more people down the valley and Yellowknife? Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley highway is something that has been discussed as one of the lists we’ve raised with the federal government as the new roads and highways are still under their mandate and would look at that. Ultimately, I believe it is more a thing of, first and foremost, because there are some commitments out there made by government that, you know, we’re taking over and we have to honour, at least at this point until conditions are met or not met; the area of is it one versus the other? I think we have to sit down and highlight what are the key projects we want to see in the Northwest Territories and take that with us to Ottawa, and the Mackenzie Valley highway is one of those that we seriously have to consider. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I’d just like to highlight my Member’s statement with regard to my housing issues and I’d like a commitment from my Premier regarding the black mould issues in my riding, to making sure the local housing authorities will deal with the problem, and the safety of my elders in their units, as well.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Member will do well for his seniors and the people in his constituency. Those are normal business activities and we’ll ensure that the proper authorities that are in place are making sure that they meet the safety requirements of individuals in your communities. So we’ll get that message sent down and sent down quick. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a question for the Premier, and I think it’s important that the Regular Members and the public know, I’d just like to ask the Premier if he has a time estimate on when portfolio assignments will be given out to the new Cabinet? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ve asked all Cabinet Ministers to provide me with a letter today on their priorities, where they think they would fit best. I will then review that, take into consideration the running of departments, where the fit would work, and hopefully I can make some decisions early next week. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last government, for all intents and purposes, really didn’t have an even distribution of workload and I’m wondering if the Premier can state today that he’s going to do everything in his power to ensure that there’s an even distribution of workload amongst Cabinet Ministers?

Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all Members on this side of the House will have a large workload. I have to take into consideration the skill level, the interest in particular areas and how they can work together to ensure we are delivering it and doing it in an efficient way. So that’s going to be taken into the equation. As well, I will look at the seniority of Members, their experience and what they can bring to the table. But every Member on this side of the House will have some heavy lifting to do over the next four years. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering, is it the Premier’s prerogative to let Members of the House know the portfolio assignments before it’s actually released publicly? If there are concerns from the Regular Members, do we have any opportunity for input on those portfolio assignments, Mr. Speaker, before it goes public? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.