Jane Groenewegen

Legislative Assembly photo

Roles

Elsewhere

Crucial Fact

  • Her favourite word was hay.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2015, as MLA for Hay River South

Lost her last election, in 2015, with 35% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Item 10: Petitions May 1st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My petition reads: "We, the undersigned business people of Hay River, wish to bring to your attention some of our concerns regarding the new business incentive policy. The proposed reduction of the base incentive from 15 per cent to 5.8 per cent is not acceptable. The low percentage will not provide the protection needed for northern companies to operate on a level playing field with the South. The 5.8 per cent incentive will allow southern companies to bid competitively with the following direct advantages over northern companies: no investment in the NWT; no northern employment costs; no contributions to the northern or

municipal tax base; and, no local northern economic contributions to the North or northern people. I believe that the NWT government is paying a 15 per cent premium for goods and services is simply false. The present and every growing competition between northern companies ensures the NWT government a fair marketplace. In closing, we recognize the fact that it is not the desire of the GNWT to finance the success of northern companies by means of the business incentive policy, however, we strongly feel that it should not be made the mandate of the GNWT to introduce a policy that unfairly handicaps the ability of northern companies to bid competitively against the South." Petition No. 12-13(3) is signed by 40 prominent business people in Hay River. Thank you.

Question 107-13(3): Status Of New Business Incentive Policy May 1st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Public Works and Services relating to the business incentive policy. There has been a review under way for several months and there was going to be a presentation made to Cabinet during this last break on what the results of the consultant's findings were. I would like to know what the current status is of the proposed new business incentive policy.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery May 1st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to personally recognize and thank Roxanne Tucker for coming up here today to sing and introduce her as yet another talented person from Hay River. Thank you.

--- Applause

The Business Incentive Policy May 1st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last few months since we were elected to this Assembly, the subject of the business incentive policy has been discussed. Many questions have been raised and many opinions expressed. The policy was designed to give northern businesses a fair chance to receive government contracts by recognizing the higher cost of doing business in the North. In many ways, the policy has done just that, to the point now where a large percentage of government contracts for the purchase of goods and services go to northern firms.

The business sector in the North has developed to the point where it is indicated that, from a random sample of 87 purchases made between April 1993 and February 1994 almost half of all purchases were less expensive in the Northwest Territories than they would have been in the South. On the average, a premium of 5.67 per cent was paid on northern purchases.

Northern businesses work on very tight margins, even with the policy's preference figures. The 15 or 20 per cent is a cushion or insurance to ensure that northern businesses with a higher cost of operating and overhead are at least on a level playing field with southern competitors. I believe that the present preference percentages of 15 to 20 per cent, which translates into a 5.67 per cent premium, is an acceptable cost of keeping our government dollars and the benefits of those dollars in the North.

It is the feeling of my constituents that the current policy should be retained and the money currently being spent on supposedly new-and-improved BIP should be channelled to address the issue of storefront operators. I will be tabling a petition on the subject later today in the House. Thank you.

--- Applause

Revert To Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole March 28th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Bill 9, and would like to report progress and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery March 28th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize one of my Hay River constituents, Miss Pat Thomas, president-elect of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association.

--- Applause

Question 72-13(3): Business Incentive Policy Review Process March 27th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What provision is there, or is there any provision in the process, for Members in this House to be involved before the new percentages of preference are implemented?

Question 72-13(3): Business Incentive Policy Review Process March 27th, 1996

Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Public Works and Services. I've received several phone calls from constituents in the last 24 hours, as a result of the public consultation on the business incentive policy meeting that was held in Hay River this week. The constituents who called were business people and they were very concerned with the proposed changes to the business incentive policy. I was wondering if the Minister could outline for me the remainder of this process. I understand that there was originally consultation, and now there's a second round of consultation going on; but, I'm concerned with the process because I want to know what input this House is going to have in the final changes that are recommended. So, as I said, an outline of the remaining process would be appreciated. Thank you.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole March 26th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 1-13(3), and I would like to report progress and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery March 26th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize my new constituency assistant who's up from Hay River assisting me with my workload, Carmen Schauerte.

--- Applause