Floyd Roland

Obviously, our briefings are working because the Member is aware we’re planning to go to committee. We’re looking at the timing of the budget. We’re looking a number of issues around trying to come back with a way of limiting the forced growth in our Capital Acquisition Plan.

We’ll continue to work with Members on the timing of it. We’re hoping that in this budget, this fall, we should be able to present the Capital Acquisition Plan at a different time from what we’ve done and a different practice from what we’ve done in the past.

Mr. Chairman, the fact that the authorities have been running deficits for a number of years is a concern. That is why the FMBS has become involved, both on the collection side and doing the zero-based review process. The model we put together with Stanton Territorial Health Authority is the model we will be using, or a very similar model, for all other authorities that run into this area.

We know the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority is the next authority that will undergo this review. Previously, the Department of Health and Social Services had sent someone in from outside...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Member is correct on the process, the program that’s in place and the policy we have with authorities. On the side of deficits, the boards are to address the deficits through their annual plan. With surpluses, they are allowed to put 50 per cent into a reserve fund to offset future deficits. We have two health authorities who have deficits at this point.

I want to say for the record that the deficits have started as late as the year 1999. Since ’98–99 a number of boards have been in and out of deficit. The Government of the Northwest Territories in past...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The area of infrastructure acquisition has been one of concern for the Government of the Northwest Territories. We’ve initiated an Infrastructure Cabinet Committee led by the Hon. Michael McLeod, who’s been working with a number of other departments to come up with options, timing of when we release the Capital Acquisition Plan. As well, for example, the Member has raised the issue of having some of our smaller capital items in a grouping.

That is all under consideration at this point. We’d have to work with the committee to see if there’s an acceptable way of proceeding...

It fluctuated between years. It started as early as 1998–1999. There were a couple of years there that it did come out: 2001–02 was the year they had a small surplus; in 2002–03 they had another small surplus; and in 2003–04 they started going back into a deficit position. I believe the last time they had a positive entry was 2004–05.

I was saying, Mr. Chairman, the fact that the department has been working with authorities and trying to get them to live within their means…. But the simple fact that they had been spending more than they had been bringing in is an example of everything the...

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, a meeting is being set up, and we’re hoping to have that meeting within a matter of weeks. Whether it’s two or three weeks, we’re working with the Nunavut government to iron that down.

Mr. Speaker, the issue of the cost of living in the Northwest Territories is one we realize needs to be addressed. That’s why it forms one of our strategic initiatives. As we proceed forward, we will be dealing with that on an ongoing basis. Once we have this committee set up, we will be working with that committee on an ongoing basis to keep that forward.

Is it a type of situation where we actually have to have the item on Orders of the Day? I think as we deal with the initiatives that lead into the budget, working with the committee will help keep that going.

Mr. Chairman, $2 million of that debt is in receivables. For the other information I’d have to go to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2007–2008, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2007–2008 fiscal year.