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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Joe Handley is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 2007, as MLA for Weledeh

Won his last election, in 2003, by acclaimation.

Statements in the House

Question 93-14(2): Update On Ottawa Meetings March 20th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, the economic development strategy is really a strategy that is being developed through the direction and advice of the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. I think that it is a question that might be referred to the Minister there. Thank you.

Question 93-14(2): Update On Ottawa Meetings March 20th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Finance has committed to having a senior member of his staff, a member responsible for provincial-federal, territorial-federal fiscal relationships, come to Yellowknife to sit down with our finance people and go through the formula and our reasons why we feel it is not working well. We intend to have that done next week.

As well, we have made a commitment to provide the federal Minister of Finance and other Ministers with more information on our resource development potential. We hope to have a draft of the economic strategy, that is a work of a steering committee representing a lot of people, in his hands within the next two or three weeks. Thank you.

Question 93-14(2): Update On Ottawa Meetings March 20th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The visit to Ottawa and the meeting with Finance Minister Martin was successful as a first step towards getting more money for the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Martin listened very well and carefully, and I think with some enthusiasm, to our description of the resources and the resource potential we have in the North.

As well, he listened very carefully to our concerns regarding the performance of the formula. I think it was a good first step, with the intention that we will be following up. Thank you.

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions March 20th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Bell on February 29th, on accounting for tangible capital assets.

The government is planning on implementing the new approach to accounting for tangible capital assets in the 2000-2001 fiscal year.

A work plan has been developed which includes an initial inventory and valuation of capital assets to enable an estimate of the amortization expense to be included in the 2000-2001 main estimates. Although some delays have been encountered, we do expect that departments will have completed the initial inventory in time to implement the changes with the 2000-2001 main estimates.

The amortization expense included in the main estimates will be our best estimate based on information currently available. We will be working with departments to refine the valuation and amortization of capital assets.

We may encounter a number of issues related to the valuation or title of assets. These issues will need to be clarified and corrected prior to finalizing the reporting of the tangible capital assets in the 2000-2001 public accounts. However, we still anticipate being able to complete the exercise during the 2000-2001 fiscal year.

Actual amortization expenses for the 2000-2001 fiscal year will vary from the amount included in the main estimates as we progress in resolving valuation and title issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tabled Document 24-14(2): Inter-activity Budget Transfers Over $250,000, April 1, 1999-december 31, 1999 February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As required by section 32.1 subsection 2, of the Financial Administration Act. I am tabling a list of all interactivity transfers exceeding $250,000 within departments for the period April 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999. Thank you.

Question 84-14(2): Accounting For Capital Assets February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I will take that question as notice, because there are assets in different categories of value. I am not sure we would have to add the whole thing. I will take it as notice. Thank you.

Question 84-14(2): Accounting For Capital Assets February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is currently doing an assessment and inventory of our tangible capital assets. I am not sure whether we will have it fully implemented in the year 2000-2001, but I expect it will be fully implemented within the 2001-2002 budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Definitely we will receive some benefits out of the federal budget, in a number of areas such as we mentioned; health and social transfer, forestry, geosciences and so on. We will get some benefits. But whether or not this is enough is a little bit difficult to judge at this point.

I expect it is going to be enough to maintain what we have in some areas. But as I mentioned earlier, in other areas like health and social programs, I do not believe there is going to be enough. It is too early to be definitive on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options February 28th, 2000

I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, I will have to have clarification on the question. I did not really understand it.

Question 78-14(2): Examination Of Spending Reduction Options February 28th, 2000

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, we do not have any plans to make cuts. It is not part of a plan. I can assure you that as we develop our plans then we can be making more definitive statements. But I think, as the Premier indicated earlier with the no layoff policy; although the policy does not exist, we still live by that same set of principles.

If it is at all possible to manage our budget without having any layoffs, then we would prefer that. Because layoffs impact not only the individuals but also on us in terms of our population. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.