Thebacha

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

I'm not absolutely sure about that. My impression would be that they would be accepting referrals from outside agencies, but I will look into that and get back to the Member opposite.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That information is, in fact, contained in the purchasing policy. The determination as to whether it will go out to the broad public or to sole-source is determined by a series of factors, including price. I know there is a sole-source contract awarded that would depend on factors such as emergency and other factors. There is a policy which the Power Corporation follows.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

I imagine that evaluation is done at the time any bid is received. They could certainly look at whether it had past history with this bidder, how the potential bidder had done in other bids, and how they had done with other contractors. I have no idea what exact steps were taken in this case, but I imagine those steps would have been taken.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again update this House on some of the work our government is doing to further enhance public engagement and transparency. When I last updated Members in early November, I announced that I would soon be engaging directly with NWT residents about open government. I also committed to provide this House with an update.

Mr. Speaker, in December I began public engagement sessions on open government, and I am continuing to travel to various communities to hear directly from residents. At each of these public sessions, I have asked the local MLA to accompany me so that we...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Firstly, I'd like to thank all Members and staff of the Committee of Rules and Procedures for their careful consideration of this very important issue.

In Canada all jurisdictions have legislation determining who can run for office and have prohibitions on the right of a citizen to run for office where that person has been convicted under the applicable elections legislation.

In our jurisdiction, under the Elections and Plebiscites Act and the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, there is a definition as to who is eligible for election and who may serve in this...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I see this amendment as being very problematic. Surely the decision as to whether a person can stand for election is the job of this House. I don't think we should advocate to the judiciary that job.

The amendment says "except in cases of exceptional circumstances as determined upon application by a prospective candidate to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories," it doesn't even give any direction to the court as to what these exceptional circumstances might be. This would remove from us and put into the courts the decision as to whether a candidate can run, and...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)

As I have mentioned earlier, we are looking at the minimum lease changes. Certainly, we have been consulting with Aboriginal and other stakeholders, and I imagine I could provide a list of consultations that have taken place and those that are planned.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)

The Member opposite has raised a complex issue. I can advise that the Department of Lands, with assistance from Justice, is looking into the whole area of equity leases and our responsibilities under these leases.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)

Mr. Speaker, I am not absolutely sure of whether there was a connection between the assessment, the 10 per cent assessment, that I have spoken of earlier and the equity lease situation, which is quite a different situation. I do know that the land pricing policy was established in 1997, so it hasn't been looked at in some time by Cabinet. Land leasing and equity leases are somewhat different. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)

As mentioned in my answer to the previous question, of course the mill rate is the way in which municipalities establish their needs to raise tax revenue in each community, and that tends to be different in each community, depending on their needs. We are, of course, reviewing the whole policy in this area, but I don't think we would be referring to a rate as a "mill rate," which is really specific to municipalities.