This is page numbers 6559 – 6620 of the Hansard for the 17th 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 know.

Topics

Daryl Dolynny

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In keeping with my theme of evaluating the McLeod government

and with reference to my report of September 29, 2015, today I will talk about GNWT debt and our borrowing capacity, our inability to borrow due to federally imposed debt limit restricting progressive capital investment from 2000 to 2007 thus leading to the territorial infrastructure deficit we see today.

Arguably, this has curtailed efforts to diversify the NWT economy and tied the territory to an intensely cyclical resource development sector. As a result, it is the 16th and 17th Legislative Assemblies that have

successfully pressured Canada to raise the debt limit.

My goal today is to evaluate the process we see before us. Have we been balanced in our approach or have we gone too far and put the taxpayers at risk?

Trends in debt and borrowing capacity are a good measure of fiscal performance. From 2007 to now, the total GNWT debt has risen dramatically by over 392 percent. Large capital projects such as the Deh Cho Bridge and the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Link are major contributors to this growth.

So, although the new federally imposed limit has recently increased to $1.3 billion, as a general observation, as our total debt has grown, our borrowing capacity has shrunk. Interestingly, from 2000 to 2009 the GNWT ended up with a true cash surplus and did not require short-term debt. This short-term debt has generally increased in 2009 and has become significant during the life of this current administration. Hence, many will remember the increases we saw as short-term borrowing legislation in the 17th Legislative Assembly going

from $175 million to $275 million and the $25 million additional approved last year for a grand total today of $300 million for short-term borrowing.

So what did this translate? Rising debt and softening of static of our GDP in combination has caused the GNWT debt to rise as a percentage of GDP. Couple this with our government’s poor response to economic conditions, our infrastructure deficit or our meager revenue outlet, the percentage of total debt to GDP will no doubt rise with larger capital projects looming in the shadows.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Daryl Dolynny

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

So, although the GNWT basks in the glory of a defined measure such as an Aa1 Moody credit rating for its debt management and current debt load, the real landscape paints a much bleaker forecast than Moody’s can safely measure.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, we must be cautious moving forward. This was invariably echoed yesterday by the Finance Minister in his fiscal update. It is for these reasons of ignoring the warning bells that my assessment of the McLeod government

in dealing with debt and borrowing management will only muster a C grade. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One practice of this government every year is that we approve infrastructure budgets. When we approve these infrastructure budgets, one thing we have to understand is we are not approving these budgets but creating jobs throughout the North, we are helping build skills and creating opportunities for our residents, our local residents and people in the small communities.

One of those projects that was recently approved and brought to attention

– even in the media and in

this House over the last few weeks

– is the Inuvik-

Tuk Highway. When this government approves big infrastructure projects or any other project, one thing we need to understand, as legislators as well as contractors and people who are putting these bids in, is that claims are a normal part of the construction contracts and that the government and the department involved try to resolve these as quickly as possible. Earlier in the week and in the media it was talked about that this project needs to be halted and stopped until further review takes place. Mr. Speaker, no, that can’t happen.

You heard today from some of my colleagues that we need jobs in the communities. We have people who are hungry to get off their butts and get to work. This is exactly what this job is doing with the Inuvik- Tuk Highway.

We just have to look at some of the highlights. At its peak construction period, there were over 600 individuals working on the project. About 75 percent of those were from the Inuvik region and there was also employment from other territorial communities as well. From those, about 120 people benefitted from training opportunities, and this is going to help when we look at other projects such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway. If any other mine or oil and gas companies want to start doing some work, we

’re going to have people who are trained to take

some of those jobs as well.

About 70 people were trained on the simulator for rock trucks and excavator training, which is also needed, and about 40 people were trained in class 1 and class 3 drivers’ licences with airbrakes. All those are going to help us in the future when we look at the Mackenzie Valley Project and other infrastructure in the Tlicho or towards Nunavut.

I do seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Just to finish, we can’t forget about

the other future benefits and investment potential that the Inuvik-Tuk Highway is going to produce when we look at our offshore drilling, tourism and reduced cost of living for the communities toward Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik.

Not only that, from a personal level, when you walk around Inuvik and you see the young guys and the young girls working, the family providers, the men who go and work long hours to provide for their families in Tuk and Inuvik and how that benefits them, it’s great to see people who are finally working, a decreased number of people on income assistance, all these benefits. I know in the summertime work is slow. I’ve seen the training opportunities that have been provided to some of these people who are working on this project going down south and getting further training, so they get higher level jobs in the project.

With that said, Mr. Speaker, I do support the continued work for the Inuvik-Tuk Highway and all the benefits it presents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I have some great news to share about the community of Kakisa. After more than five years, with special planning and construction, Kakisa is ready to host the grand opening of their new community hall.

The new hall is built alongside the old Deh Cho Assembly arbour. It was a bustling hub of community activity year round, ready to host sports and games, feasts and other community gatherings, with space left for storage and meetings.

The old community hall quickly filled to capacity, but the new hall will have more than enough room for all residents, family and friends.

I know the residents of Kakisa have been eager to have a place to gather. When Rowe’s Construction completed the last of their work, the community will have a place. The opening has been discussed for October 1st , but I’ve been told this has been

rescheduled possibly for mid-October to make sure everyone in the community can attend.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the community on the dedication to the project and in their achievement and hope for many exciting events at the new community hall in the years to come. Mahsi cho.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. This summer I had an opportunity to attend the graduation for Liidlii Kue School as usual. This year Sydney Bailey, Rayleen Norn, Rylie Chapman and Teagan Laroque graduated. The total number of students graduating since graduations events started in Fort Resolution in 2000 is 53 students. Every year I attend graduation and one year we had nine graduates and we’ve also had single graduates in Liidlii Kue School. So it’s gone very well. In springtime I went to an event in Lutselk’e where we also had a graduation. For the first time ever in the history of Lutselk’e, they had two students, Tristin Lockhart and Lucas Enzoe, who graduated from Grade 12.

I just want to pass on congratulations here in the House to those students in Fort Resolution going all the way back to 2000. Many of those students are working in Fort Resolution and many of them have jobs outside. There are a good many of them that have gone on to further education and I think the same thing will happen with Tristin Lockhart and Lucas Enzoe in Lutselk’e. They are the first to do it and I know there are going to be graduates. We will probably see some graduates out of Lutselk’e every year from now on.

It’s a big milestone for the community. Just about everyone from the community came out to celebrate Tristin and Lucas. The Fort Resolution graduation is usually a big event. This year we had 200 people show up. T

hat’s over 40 percent of the population,

so that’s a very big event. I thought I’d like to stand up today and congratulate all those students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Member for Tlicho, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today I would like to acknowledge what happened in our community. We just lost two of our c

itizens in the Tlicho region. I know there’s a lot

of people in our community who are suffering right now. We all know each other. Even when we’re here, we are remembering them and we want to have prayers in our hearts for their parents and their families.

We have to look at how we can resolve this. We have to support them and try to help the community in the situation they are in because of what has happened and what has occurred in our community. I know that next week we will be having a funeral service for the people and the communities. We have to support

them with prayers. Prayers go a long way and are a big help for the families.

I just wanted to acknowledge the fact that we have a terrible situation that happened in our community. I wanted to mention this in the House. We have families and friends in the Tlicho community who are all watching and listening to us. I am sure we are praying for the families. Although we are here today, we will support the families, remember them and have a prayer for them. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two Pages from Hay River South who have been working in the Chamber for us all week. They are two fine gentlemen, Ethan Schofield and Matthew Lafferty. Say hello to them if you get a chance to. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent of Inuvik Twin Lakes and president of the Nihtat Gwich’in Council, Mr. Jozef Carnogursky. Welcome to the Chamber.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Moses.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Mr. Jozef Carnogursky, president of Nihtat Gwich’in Council, a long-time friend and I really appreciate the work he’s done for the Gwich’in people up in Inuvik and the region and being a strong advocate for the people up in that region. Welcome, Jozef. I hope you enjoy the proceedings. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Mr. Yakeleya.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the elder from Deline First Nation government, Mr. Andrew John Kenny. Andrew John Kenny mentioned to me yesterday, he said he thoroughly enjoys the Assembly, listening to the people going back and forth.

“It’s a real good

meeting you guys are having,

” he said. “Too bad I

didn’t get in there.” But he’s watching, so I have to watch the election close. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Ramsay.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize all the work of the Pages we have working for us here who have been working this session. We have a Page from Kam Lake, Ms. Hayley Barry. I appreciate all her hard work. I also want to recognize a long-time friend and former chief of the community of Deline, Andrew John Kenny,

welcome to the House, as well as Mr. Carnogursky. Good to see you here today.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Hawkins.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleagues, I wish to recognize all the Pages, most particularly the Pages from Mildred Hall who are representing us today. Specifically I would like to recognize a constituent. I believe her name is Genzi Zhang. Thank you for your work. I am glad to have all Pages here. It’s a great opportunity for all. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. I would like to welcome everybody here in the public gallery. Thank you for taking in the proceedings. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for Minister Ramsay today. I scanned the list of documents to be tabled this session, but I was disappointed not to see the promised Agriculture

Strategy listed. We haven’t even had a

whiff of a draft, in spite of it being promised by the end of this summer, long past.

This strategy, an intended action plan, has been called for by the citizens of the Northwest Territories for decades. With only days effectively left to deal with this, can the Minister tell me when we can expect to see a draft of this long-awaited strategy? Mahsi.