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 549-12(7): Status Of Formula Financing Agreement Negotiations June 7th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no indication on Canada's part that they want to prolong negotiations. We have received support from both our MPs, east and west, with regard to our position. Audrey MacLaughlin, the MP for Yukon, is involved in the process as well, I am advised. There is no indication from any of the parties to prolong this issue, and I would venture to suggest that we will have an agreement whether we like it or not, Mr. Speaker, by the end of August. Thank you.

Question 549-12(7): Status Of Formula Financing Agreement Negotiations June 7th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was asked a question by Mr. Koe about this earlier this week, and I replied that there was to be a meeting this week of the working group which would be Canada, ourselves and the Yukon, to discuss the latest issues in the formula financing renewal. I was advised yesterday that Yukon was unable to attend so the meeting was called off. So that meeting will occur next week and I hope to be able to give this House an update by Thursday on what is happening.

What they will be discussing this week is Canada's position, the Yukon's position and our position so that everybody is very clear on where everyone is coming from. I anticipate that after that meeting there will be a senior management meeting, which would be at the deputy minister level, to further discuss those proposals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 545-12(7): Resolution Of Fiscal Irritants With Federal Government June 7th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I can't take credit for concluding these arrangements. It's been a team effort by different Members of Cabinet and many of our staff across all departments. So, I want everybody to know that many people worked on it. From the federal side, I would like to compliment Mr. Ron Irwin for making John Rayner the person we negotiated with most of the time. He's a person, I believe, who understands the Northwest Territories and has been very reasonable with us.

With regard to the Inuvialuit participation costs, Mr. Speaker, the federal government had up to $186,000 in its budget for the last six, seven or eight years that should have flowed through this government to enable Inuvialuit participation on boards of management, particularly in the wildlife area. Through some mix up in paperwork, it hasn't been arranged and, consequently, the Government of the Northwest Territories was funding the Inuvialuit to participate on these boards and activities without being reimbursed by Ottawa.

As I said, it has taken some time but we were able to resolve it last week. The Inuvialuit, the Government of Canada and ourselves agreed that the Inuvialuit final agreement would be amended so there would be a contribution agreement between Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories, and a contribution agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Inuvialuit to enable funds to flow from DIAND to us and on to the Inuvialuit.

Mr. Braden is currently in Ottawa today meeting with Mr. Rayner and putting the last touches to the agreements. Hopefully, he will bring back a letter of comfort to us that will say that Canada will flow the money before the amendment to the Inuvialuit final agreement, which could take some time yet. That would allow us to fund the Inuvialuit to participate on the boards and other activities that they required. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 545-12(7): Resolution Of Fiscal Irritants With Federal Government June 7th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I have referred to a list of irritants. The federal grants in lieu of taxes to tax-based municipalities was a big one and that is presently going to Privy Council and will be gazetted. We hope that communities will receive their money, which they haven't received for the last few years, by July 1st of this year. So, that one is out of the way.

I think Mr. Dent made reference to the health billings dispute and, although we didn't get an excellent deal, we didn't get a bad deal. That one is settled. The Inuvik utilidor issue is settled. We received a cheque from the Minister of Indian Affairs and are now starting negotiations with Inuvik on whether or not they would like to take over the utilidor. Regarding the RCMP billings dispute, Mr. Kakfwi is having some success there and we are trying to avoid going to arbitration, which we think would lead ultimately to a court case. I think Mr. Kakfwi has presented the federal Solicitor General something that he may be interested in accepting.

Just recently, in fact this week, we concluded negotiations -- I think successfully -- on the Inuvialuit participation costs which have been irritants for some years. That, really, is the last one of the so-called irritants that we have to deal with, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Question 544-12(7): Inclusion Of Non-insured Health Benefits In Health Billings Agreement June 7th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I would have to take that question as notice in order to provide a number to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 544-12(7): Inclusion Of Non-insured Health Benefits In Health Billings Agreement June 7th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, it has been the subject of a side agreement with the federal government in previous years. They reimburse the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Question 544-12(7): Inclusion Of Non-insured Health Benefits In Health Billings Agreement June 7th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the agreement that we reached with Ottawa did not included non-insured benefits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 542-12(7): Appointment Of Affirmative Action Individual To Appeals Committee June 6th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I'll certainly review the make-up of those committees and get back to the Member. Thank you.

Bill 33: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act, No. 3 June 5th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 8, 1995, I shall move that Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 3, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 509-12(7): Status Of NWT Revenue-generating Initiatives June 5th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I believe most of the work this week, Mr. Speaker, will centre around our counter to the federal government's suggestions about a new formula financing agreement. I think our proposal, which was jointly sponsored by Yukon and ourselves is what will be discussed this week. Once we find out how the federal Finance officials feel about that particular proposal, then we will know what the next step will be. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.