Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I apologize for my oversight earlier. My question is to the Minister of Finance. The Minister tells us that in Yellowknife we have 2,212 employees in the government. He also tells us that there are 150 lay-offs, 72 of which will be in Yellowknife. Could the Minister tell me what percentage 72 is of 150?
Seamus Henry
Historical Information Seamus Henry is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.
Last in the Legislative Assembly December 1999, as MLA for Yellowknife South
Won his last election, in 1995, with 42% of the vote.
Statements in the House
Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife March 21st, 1996
Question 31-13(3): Funding Assistance For Building And Learning Strategy March 21st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I apologize for that. I would ask that my question be put off for a few minutes.
Question 31-13(3): Funding Assistance For Building And Learning Strategy March 21st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I would like to be put off for a moment or two. The Minister of Finance is absent from the House and that is to whom my question is to be addressed.
Speaker's Ruling
Appreciation To Caribou Carnival Volunteers March 21st, 1996
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge a group in the gallery. Today we have a group of visiting students who are part of a program called Northern Experience '96. I would like to acknowledge Jensenne, Erin and Ann of Calgary, Jamie from Drumheller, Lara and Kristin from Lloydminster, Charelle of North Battleford, Anita from Peace River, Anya and Chris of Red Deer and Laura of Swift Current. The northern experience program has beet) sponsored by the local Yellowknife Rotary Club. On behalf of the Assembly, I would like to welcome them to Yellowknife and wish them a pleasant visit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--- Applause
Investing In The Northwest Territories March 21st, 1996
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You may wonder what this little piece of paper is here. Just for your information, Mr. Erasmus is going to keep track of me and the number of times I speak in Members' statements from now on.
This afternoon, Members of this House will be playing hockey ... Sorry, will be skating.
--- Laughter
Let me try that again. Members of this House will be attempting to copy what is being called one of Canada's national sports, against the local media team. What is significant about this event? Let me tell you the irony of this event. The team of MLAs will be playing in a hockey rink in Yellowknife, the operation and maintenance of which is subsidized and paid for by the taxes of the citizens and businesses of Yellowknife. The original building was built by the sponsorship of the owners of the local mines. The labour to build the Gerry Murphy Arena was supplied on a volunteer basis by the residents of Yellowknife. Then, when times get tough, the community that grew by virtue of the fact that they had a hard-working, industrious population, a vibrant business community, gets slashed in a Draconian manner that was demonstrated by the government in this House yesterday.
I will be asking the Minister of Finance to explain this new math where he said, and I quote:
"...that the job losses in headquarters will be slightly higher." Mr. Speaker, you don't create prosperity in a family by stealing from another family member who took the initiative of hard work and worked smarter than another member of the family. Bear in mind that when you take this slash-and-burn attitude towards the community, it flies in the face of investors from outside the Northwest Territories where they look at what is going on and say they don't went to risk their money in the NWT.
Look at how they treat their communities.
The successful investor will say there is no significant benefit in being prosperous. The government will not allow it. Look at what they did to their capital. We need investment in the Territories. We need the jobs that will get people off of social programs and give dignity back to people; the dignity and pride of having a job and the social additions that it will create. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--- Applause
Tabled Document 1-13(3): Report Of The Commission On MLA Compensation March 20th, 1996
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be echoing the remarks of some of the MLAs who have gone before me, in particular Jane, who suggested that no more would be expected by her in the pension plan than Hay Plan employees. I concur with that. I feel that that is reasonable with regard to pensions.
Birthday Wishes To Linda Henry March 20th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, it isn't a statement, but I believe Mr. Erasmus made a statement earlier in this House today.
--- Laughter
Item 10: Petitions March 20th, 1996
I did, Mr. Speaker.
--- Laughter
Item 10: Petitions March 20th, 1996
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My request is not for that particular item. I seek unanimous consent of this House to return to Members' statements.
Question 28-13(3): Notification Of Lay-offs March 20th, 1996
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. He stated earlier that within the next couple of days all employees -- and it's presently going on right now -- who are going to be laid off will be notified. Do you have an exact date when that will be done? Will it be done by Friday, for example?