John Pollard

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information John Pollard is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 1995, as MLA for Hay River

Won his last election, in 1991, by acclaimation.

Statements in the House

Question 578-12(7): Controls Placed On Government Spending Prior To Election June 11th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, all the Ministers know about our fiscal situation at the present time. We've been at quite a number of meetings where we've looked at how much money we're going to be able to spend this year. Ministers know how much is left in supplementary appropriations and they realize that we can't spend all the money we have this summer. It has to be spread over the year. And they also recognize that there's going to be a change in leadership, and we can't leave them with a bare cupboard. Ministers are all well aware of that.

But we are also cognizant of the fact that there may be certain situations that arise in the Northwest Territories whereby emergencies, or what Cabinet determine are emergencies, rear their ugly heads. We will deal with those emergencies through special warrants. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 578-12(7): Controls Placed On Government Spending Prior To Election June 11th, 1995

That is correct, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Question 578-12(7): Controls Placed On Government Spending Prior To Election June 11th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Lewis is correct. I remember back that far and I'm sure you do as well, Mr. Speaker. In my responsibilities right now, I have foreseen into the summer and I've sent letters to departments, to Ministers, about what kinds of supplementary appropriations we feel should be allowed. I believe the wording is "those of an emergency nature." I've also made a commitment that we will meet with the Standing Committee on Finance in the third week of August to bring them right up to date on what is happening with our spending, what our fiscal picture is, and how our negotiations with Ottawa are going. By that means, I think there are still some safeguards out there and I intend to be vigilant with the departments and with the government, and not fall into a method of handling certain situations that perhaps the previous government used. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 33: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act, No. 3 June 8th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 3, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act to provide that the Executive Council shall be composed of persons appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 567-12(7): Status Of Formula Financing And Incremental Division Funding Negotiations June 8th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier and I will be meeting with Mr. Martin. One of the issues that we will be raising with him, amongst others, is we see the division process taking place, we're all doing work, whether in ministries or in this Legislative Assembly. We're all moving in that direction, NIC is doing a lot of work, as is NTI. The move is on and there needs to be some certainty with regard to incremental funding. I sympathize a little bit with the federal government because they say, how can we judge what the incremental funding is going to be when we don't know what the forms of government are going to be. But they need to be a little warmer than that on this incremental funding, so we will pursue it with Mr. Martin when he's here, the week of the 26th, I believe. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker.

Question 567-12(7): Status Of Formula Financing And Incremental Division Funding Negotiations June 8th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have tried to put incremental costs for the division of the Northwest Territories on the table at formula financing meetings and have been unsuccessful. The federal government is not particularly interested in discussing that at the present time, although they will tailor the agreement and make mention of the fact that division is going to occur. With regard to addressing the issue of incremental funding, at this particular time we have not been successful in convincing Mr. Martin of it's importance. We will continue to pursue the matter with the federal government, though. Thank you.

Question 564-12(7): Review Of Request For Proposals Re Bird Dog Aircraft Services June 8th, 1995

Yes, I will, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Question 564-12(7): Review Of Request For Proposals Re Bird Dog Aircraft Services June 8th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I can't second-guess what the department is going to tell me, but what I can tell the House is that a decision will be made next week whether we can or cannot do an audit in this particular regard. So there will be a definitive answer next week. Thank you.

Question 564-12(7): Review Of Request For Proposals Re Bird Dog Aircraft Services June 8th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, the Audit Bureau wasn't able to make a decision on what action was required in this particular request. As I said, they forwarded it to Mr. Voytilla. Mr. Voytilla advised me of it, I believe, two days ago. He's

looking at it and he's going to make some suggestions to me early next week, Mr. Speaker, so I'll have an update at that time. Thank you.

Question 564-12(7): Review Of Request For Proposals Re Bird Dog Aircraft Services June 8th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I haven't received the letter myself. I understand that it went directly to the Audit Bureau in the Department of FMBS and they have forwarded it on to Mr. Voytilla. Yes, it has been received by the department, but not by myself personally. Thank you.