David Krutko

Committee agree the Minister brings in his witnesses?

Mr. Speaker, as the seconder of this motion, I have been here for some 14 years, four terms, and I’ve seen several incidents where the executive branch of this government has totally ignored and disrespected Members on this side of the House. In regard to the issues at hand, in regard to supplementary health benefits, income support, support reform, motions that were passed unanimously in this House by Members on this side of the House which directed the government to seriously deal with these fundamental issues that were affecting residents of the Northwest Territories and totally ignoring...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A society is measured by the way it treats its most vulnerable in its society from the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, the widows and the people who are living in poverty in our small communities. Mr. Speaker, a lot of programs and services totally undermine the fundamental basics of society that really cares. Mr. Speaker, without communities, policing, nursing, the fundamental services of mental health workers, alcohol and drug workers, income support systems that totally exclude people from the fundamental basis of having someone live with you, elders who are...

Mr. Speaker, the elders that are having problems with this issue are the elders that built the North. They were the trailblazers. They developed our communities. They developed our roads. They taught us as children and also they took care of the sick and weak in communities by our health care system. These people have made the North their homes. Mr. Speaker, they paid for what we have today. They developed the North; the trailblazers. Yet, Mr. Speaker, what do we do? We impose hardship on them at a time when they are struggling to maintain a life and enjoyment of the days they have to come.

Mr...

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. We have three items: Tabled Document 7-16(3), Committee Report 2-16(3) and Tabled Document 11-16(3). What is the wish of the of the committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Mr. Speaker, again, as I mentioned, there was an offer made by the Gwich’in Development Corporation and other lending agencies to the board of directors of Discovery Air based on an agreeable price and a percentage by way of the loan that they were willing to offer. They met with the board of directors before this government made the offer for $34 million. Was that ever considered and the question asked have you approached other lending institutions to see if they are willing to lend you the money versus you coming to the government for a $34 million loan?

Mr. Speaker, my questions are directed to the Minister of Finance with regard to my statement earlier about the loan to Discovery Air to the tune of $34 million. The Minister talks about due diligence and when we review the report it’s surprising to me that there was no market disruption review done in regard to this particular loan. There are other lending agencies out there who had loans in place, they had a major stake by way of shared equity in this company, but they weren’t even contacted in regard to this government’s $34 million loan which undermines their ability to basically provide...

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to raise the issue in regard to the government loan to Discovery Air. I’d like to ask the Minister of Finance if he was aware or did he receive any information that the Gwich’in Development Corporation was one of the businesses that loaned Discovery Air the amount of $10 million in regard to share equity in Discovery Air? Also, was the Minister aware that the Gwich’in Development Corporation offered an extension of the loan to Discovery Air based on the terms of the Gwich’in Development Corporation was prepared to accept? Also, was the Minister aware that the...

I will rise and report progress. Again, just for the record, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. I think the Minister was misled or something as the Gwich’in had already loaned Discovery Air $10 million at 9.25 percent. They were willing to lend them more to get an increased share in regard to that company. I’d like to ask the Minister again, is this government going to follow some rules and procedures that are in place for other loans where you have to go to other lending agencies, get a letter basically showing that you were not able to get a loan from a bank or another institution before you come to the Government of the Northwest Territories so that rules and procedures can...