David Krutko

I’d like to call the Committee of the Whole to order.

Committee of the Whole, in consideration of bills and other matters: Bill 8, Committee Report 2-16(2), Committee Report 3-16(2), Committee Report 4-16(2), Committee Report 5-16(2), Committee Report 6-16(2), Committee Report 7-16(2), Tabled Document 37-16(2).

What’s the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Minister Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Senate committee was also pretty interested in a lot of our infrastructure projects. We’re talking about the Mackenzie Highway; we’re talking about Taltson; we’re talking about hydro development. Again, the problem we have is our borrowing limit. That’s something they also found pretty interesting: why is it that we’re limited on the amount of capital we can invest, which is going to promote…?

Next on the list I have Mr. Bromley and Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I think it’s an opportunity we have to use whatever means of achieving devolution. I think the Senate is probably the second-most powerful legislative authority we have in Canada, next to the House of Commons. I’d like to ensure that we continue to keep them involved in the issues in the Northwest Territories. It seemed like they’re focusing a lot of attention in the North, which is great.

I’d just like to ask the Premier: exactly what are we doing to lobby other Senators and other MPs in Ottawa to make them aware of our issues, especially in the area of...

Minister Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my 13 years here this item has been on the agenda for every Legislature I’ve been a part of and has always been. We’ve had committees; we’ve had special committees. This thing has been worked over probably more than most public items in the Legislature. So I’d just like to ask the Minister if, before we take too many giant steps, we can maybe revisit some of that information, some of those reports, and see what those recommendations are before we make any major expenditures or capital investments going off into another area. I’d just like to ask the Minister that...

General comments? Do we agree we move to detail?

Mr. Speaker, I think that whether tinkering with it or making major changes, we have to know what our footing is when making these changes. If there are some legal implications by making these minor changes, is that going to be perceived as an overhaul of an existing preferential policy that’s in place in the NWT? So again, have you got a legal opinion from Justice in regard to these changes, and is there a possibility we may be watering down our rights that we have by way of preferential treatment under NAFTA?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Welcome, witnesses. General comments. Mr. Hawkins.