Committee Motion 4-13(3): To Recommend To Review May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is the Minister aware of the condition of the adult learning centre in Hay River?

Committee Motion 4-13(3): To Recommend To Review May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware of the ... Let me back up. The capital dollars that were allocated for the adult learning centre in Hay River were deferred from the 1996-97 capital estimates to future years anticipated. Is that correct?

Motion 6-13(3): Referring MLA Compensation Commission Report To Committee Of The Whole May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, May 10th, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Tabled Document 38-13(3), the Report of the Commission on MLA Compensation, dated March 4, 1996, be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Item 14: Tabling Of Documents May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table Tabled Document 38-13(3), the Report of the Commission on MLA Compensation, prepared for the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, dated March 4, 1996.

Question 194-13(3): Transfer Of Programs And Facilities To Municipalities May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Approximately three years ago, a Minister of this government was in Hay River and at a public meeting had indicated that the territorial government would recognize more than the municipal council as the official government in Hay River -I referred to this in my Member's statement -- where, in

communities like Hay River, you have band councils, hamlet councils, town councils, Metis councils. What is the position of this government in recognizing municipal governments with respect to the transfer of programs and facilities? Thank you.

Question 193-13(3): Transfer Of Occupational Health And Safety May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister who I want to ask the question to ... Can I ask my question anyway?

--- Interjection

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Lydia Bardak today, the executive director of the NWT Council for Disabled Persons.

--- Applause

Mlas' Salaries And Benefits Packages May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With respect to VTAs, MLAs are no longer eligible for them and we now fall under the same guidelines as the Hay Plan employees of the government.

The report on MLAs' compensation was tabled in the House and it was taken into Committee of the Whole and it was debated briefly. However, judging by the letters that I've received from my constituents, they would like to see further debate of all 43 recommendations line by line.

Although MLAs may feel that we have done our part in taking the seven per cent reduction and abolishing the supplementary pension, it's clear to me that the impact of this initiative has been overshadowed by the decision to defer the debate on the broader issue of process. For that reason and in the interests of public and accountable government, I would like to go on record as supporting a full and public debate on the report on MLAs' compensation. I will be attempting to retable the report on MLA compensation today, and will be giving notice of a motion to move it into Committee of the Whole. Thank you.

Mlas' Salaries And Benefits Packages May 8th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to address a subject today in my Member's statement which seems to be surrounded by a considerable amount of controversy. I know that I and probably just about every Member elected to this Assembly campaigned for election on a promise of open and accountable government. I made a commitment to the electorate of Hay River that I would support the abolishment of the lucrative three per cent supplementary MLA pension plan. I also committed to support rolling back MLAs' compensation and benefits to the same extent that we would expect our public service sector to accept.

In the new Members' zeal to show good faith in this matter, we did what some thought was a noble thing. - was personally of the opinion that we could revamp our own pay and benefits package without spending on a costly commission. However, the commission's report turned out to be more than we had bargained for and anticipated. The terms of reference and mandate given to the commission were very broad. As a result, 43 fairly-sweeping recommendations came forward. They mostly addressed the process by which MLAs are compensated, as opposed to the amount they are paid. The overall cost of the recommended package is not significantly greater than the old, with the exception of the major saving from the pension program change.

With the pressing issues of the budget planning and negotiations with the various unions upon us, rather than delving into the pros and cons of raising base salaries and deleting indemnities, versus keeping base salaries and indemnities separate, at cetera, we agreed that this was not the appropriate time to undertake a complete overhauling of the process by which MLAs are compensated. Thus, we returned to our original intent, which was to do away with the supplementary pension and roll back salaries and indemnities, and we did this. Unfortunately, the per them we are paid to live outside of our constituencies is not deemed to be an indemnity; but rather an allowance to cover expenditures related to living away from home. This is indexed and, effective April 1st, went up by 2.1 per cent. 1, personally, thought that the seven per cent reduction covered everything: salaries, indemnities and allowances. In respect to this cost-of-living index increase, I support it being reduced by seven per cent from the 1995 rate.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my Member's statement.