Debates of May 16th, 2007

This is page numbers 233 - 265 of the Hansard for the 15th 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 going.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Investing In And Supporting Early Childhood Development
Public Works And Services Energy Conservation Initiatives
Disability Awareness Week - May 27 - June 2
Ministers Absent From The House
Tribute To Hay River Teachers Bob And Susan White
Legislation For The Locksmithing Profession
Driver's Licensing Services In Small Communities
Maintenance Of Highway No. 3 Access Roads
Taltson River Water Levels
All-weather Road System In The Tlicho Region
Contract Negotiations For Aven Manor Employees
Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan
Replacement Of Inuvik Softball Field
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Maintenance Of Highway No. 3 Access Roads
All-weather Road System In The Tlicho Region
Ground Ambulance Services
Legislation For The Locksmithing Profession
Taltson River Water Levels
Replacement Of Inuvik Softball Field
Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan
Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan
Driver's Licensing Services In Small Communities
Federal Gun Registry
Mental Health Services Capacity
Dust Control On Public Highways
Maintenance Of Highway No. 3 Access Roads
Awarding Of Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan
Written Question 11-15(6): Highway No. 3 Access Roads
Tabled Document 28-16(6): Biomass Heating System Project Report: North Slave Correctional Facility, Yellowknife, Nt
Tabling Of Document 29-15(6): Letter From Maca Regional Superintendent To Hay River Mayor Regarding Transfer Agreement For Community Government Funding
Tabled Document 30-15(6): Pension Administration Report - Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act And Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act At March 31, 2006
Bill 15: Liquor Act
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Amend Clause 36 Of Bill 4, NWT Hydro Corporation Act
Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Bill 8: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2007-2008
Item 23: Orders Of The Day

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll refer that question to Mr. Voytilla.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Voytilla.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Voytilla

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The $5 million limit is just for the NT Hydro Corporation itself for working capital and operational purposes. It's not intended to be a source of financing for any particular hydro project. It might be funding that the Hydro Corp needs to do a little bit of research to keep operations going on a day-to-day basis, but any of the significant borrowing related to a specific project, the intention is, would be funded through a subsidiary; either through a direct subsidiary of NT Hydro or through a joint venture such as Deze. The provisions in the act in 19 make it clear that any borrowing of such a subsidiary must be approved by the Financial Management Board in advance. So if a subsidiary, either through joint venture or directly, has to borrow for a major project, a transmission line or a generation facility, then that borrowing is outside the $5 million because the $5 million is just for day-to-day needs. That has to specifically be approved by the Financial Management Board. So there is adequate check and balance on the borrowing of NT Hydro as well as its subsidiaries.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Mr. Voytilla. Clause 18.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Clause 19.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Page 7, clause 20. Mr. Villeneuve.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. Now we're getting down to the subsidiary borrowing here with approval of FMB as accounted as debts restricted by limit approved by the governing council pursuant to the Northwest Territories Act. Is there a limit on this borrowing limit also, Mr. Chair, and, if there is, what might that be?

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Voytilla.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Voytilla

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The section 20 does not make a specific limit on the borrowing of the subsidiary other than to make it subject to Financial Management Board approval. The Financial Management Board, of course, is limited by the federal Order-in-Council limit on total GNWT debt. So there is a limit on aggregate borrowing that is reflected on the government's books, and that is the federal Order-in-Council limit. So that's why we ensure that any subsidiary borrowing has to be approved by the Financial Management Board to make sure that any borrowing by a hydro subsidiary does not put the government's overall debt limit in any jeopardy.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Mr. Voytilla. Clause 20.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Clause 21.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Clause 22.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Clause 23.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Clause 24.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Clause 25.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Clause 26.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.