In the Legislative Assembly on February 5th, 2014. See this topic in context.

Question 43-17(5): Ministerial Travel And Benefits Report
Oral Questions

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be directed to the Premier, Bob McLeod. I have a question regarding some of the tabled documents that have not been tabled. What I’ll do is rather than asking two separate questions, I will put them together, because basically it’s the same issue, they haven’t been tabled.

The first question I’d like to point out is the fact that the ministerial travel reports have only been updated as of January to March 2013, and they were tabled in the House. Of course, they haven’t been tabled for three consecutive sessions after that and there’s supposed to be a three month tabling.

Furthermore, asking the questions all at once here, the report respecting benefits paid to Ministers under the Ministerial Benefits Policy has not been tabled in this House since March 31, 2011, and that, of course, officially was tabled in May 2011. In other words, there hasn’t been the tabling of these two particular reports, and in large part they are not fully being accounted for. I would ask the Premier, when can we expect the tabling of these reports in

this House to show accountability on our issues with our Cabinet?

Question 43-17(5): Ministerial Travel And Benefits Report
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Question 43-17(5): Ministerial Travel And Benefits Report
Oral Questions

February 4th, 2014

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ministerial travel, I did not realize there was a three-month requirement to table them, but if the Member indicates it is three months then I’m sure that’s correct. I will just find out where it’s at in the process. I don’t expect there is any reason for the delay, and I’m sure we’ll make sure it’s posted as soon as possible after the three months.

The ministerial benefits, that responsibility has been taken over by the Board of Management, so I will have to check with the board to see why that hasn’t been filed yet if there’s a requirement for it to be filed.

Question 43-17(5): Ministerial Travel And Benefits Report
Oral Questions

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

I appreciate the quick response from the Premier and his willingness to address this. I would certainly hope that I’d get a response back and that he’d have this tabled within we’ll say 10 days. That seems reasonable, because I’ve had people inquire about this at my office.

My last question would be is that under the report respecting benefits paid to Ministers under the Ministerial Benefits Policy, reviewing old tablings, which goes up to March 31, 2011, not all information is there. For some reason there’s information highlighted out, and what I may point out are things like hospitality where Ministers, I believe, are paid $1,000 cash in order to, well, whatever hospitality equals.

I would ask the Premier to ensure that all things are fully accounted for in the tabling, and even if it is a Board of Management issue, I would ask him to show the leadership on this particular issue and table it anyway to demonstrate the transparency and accountability we all strive for.

Question 43-17(5): Ministerial Travel And Benefits Report
Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

I think it’s on the public record how much hospitality is provided to the Members and there is no requirement for accountability in that regard. I will take your request and I will discuss it with the Board of Management.

Question 43-17(5): Ministerial Travel And Benefits Report
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 8, written questions. Mr. Dolynny.