Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I had raised concerns about people who avail themselves of payday loans who are ending up getting charged more than is legally correct for loans, and it was discovered sort of incidentally through associated court cases. This legislation came forward and I am happy to see that it does profile that and address it in the Northwest Territories.

I think especially payday loan-type companies can, through various fees and charges, interest rate applications, end up overcharging people accessing these lendings. Typically, a lot of these people will not have the skills or the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure reported yesterday on Bill 7, Community Planning and Development Act, and Bill 19, Cost of Credit Disclosure Act.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that Bill 7, Community Planning and Development Act, and Bill 19, Cost of Credit Disclosure Act, be moved into Committee of the Whole for today.

Thanks to the Minister. I appreciate that action. I would ask the Minister, in recognition that he’s attempted to have conversations, will the Minister commit to me now that before the end of this government he will write to the federal Minister both to inform him of our diligent actions and to formally request that the DIAND regional office begin a program of prosecution and enforcement to clear and prevent squatting on federal Crown lands, lands that we may soon be responsible for? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. We’ll keep him really busy today. I’d like to follow up on the process underway to develop a recreational land use framework in the Yellowknife block transfer area and to control squatting on all lands surrounding Yellowknife.

In July the Minister informed all the Yellowknife Members that the recreational lease planning study is underway to gather information for development of the framework, and I applaud this action. The Minister also said that stakeholder and public consultations are the next step...

When we plan continuing dependence on fossil fuels we are planning for now. When we plan for renewables we are planning for from now on. I will be asking questions on why renewables aren’t being considered here. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Natural gas as a community energy supply has gained attention lately and there’s a consideration being given to expanding that use in communities. Let’s examine some related issues and consider the wisdom of our long-term approach.

The situation in Norman Wells is well known. Huge costs are being faced as the local gas supply ends and the town struggles to find a cost-effective replacement. In Inuvik a $5 million contract is being let to provide a propane backup should local gas supplies fail, as they will in two to 15 years. Inuvik is preparing itself to deal with the...

I find myself agreeing with the Minister that there should be no reason to include this clause in this piece of legislation. The land claims legislation, the settlement legislation has these clauses in it, and it’s clear that that is the law and we know that it takes precedence over all other legislation. Unfortunately, although the Minister has suggested, I believe, that we put this in the Interpretation Act and therefore there would be even greater clarity if it was needed, the government has been totally inconsistent in applying this clause in their legislation. So we find it lacking and...

Bill as a whole.

---Agreed

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. I would like to ask the Minister if he wishes to bring in witnesses. Mr. Miltenberger.