Michael Miltenberger

Madam Chair, what we were hoping to do is the same as last time; Minister McLeod would be there with his deputy.

Thank you, Madam Chair. What I will do is speak to the broad issues. There were a considerable number of very specific program areas that will be able to be addressed in detail with the Ministers coming to the table with their deputies on health, education, housing, environment, whatever the issue may be, but I will touch on as many of the big items as I can.

In regard to late tendering, once again, Madam Chair, we’re interested in the specifics, but overall, if when you ask the departments and you ask the government, we’ll tell you that we think this has been a distinct improvement, that we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled NWT Capital Estimates 2013-2014, and further to my Return to Written Question 9-17(3), I wish to table the following document entitled Department Small Capital Projects. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, with his extensive financial background, we go 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 days. What the information I have tells me is that at this point we only have about $2,000 owing that’s older than 90 days, that everything else is less than that, which means we’ve brought the numbers down and they are being paid in a much more timely way, less than 90 days.

I would also offer to the Member, if it would allow us to have a more informed discussion collectively here, that we could provide a detailed aged listing of all the accounts currently.

The information that I have is that currently there’s only $2,000 owing that’s over 90 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the representative of the Aboriginal Head Start for Fort Smith. Aboriginal Head Start is a tremendous program. Both my grandchildren went there. I’d like to recognize Ms. Janine Rommel.

As well, my friend and colleague, a good old Fort Smith boy who moved to Yellowknife, the Honourable Tony Whitford, and my former colleague, as well, who I had coffee with at 7:30 this morning, Mr. Michael McLeod.

I appreciate the Member’s sharp concern and clear eye on the public finances. I would point out that over time, given my time in this House, there was a time when that number was well over $8 million, and some of it seemed to be uncollectable. Now we’re talking about $2.93 million down to $2.39 million from June to currently, and most of it less than 90 days.

I don’t have that specific number that the Member asked me. I gave him the large number, the quantum number of $2.93 million as of June down to $2.39 million. I would have to commit to get the Member that other specific number that he has...

The number provided to the Member in June was $2.93 million. The number I just gave to him now has been whittled down to $2.39 million.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we last discussed this issue there was about $2.93 million that was owing to us. That number has been now whittled down to $2.39 million.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’d have to look at that specific subject. We’d have to look at other jurisdictions, many of which are, in fact, removing their tax credits, look at the pros and cons and then try to factor it in and bring it forward through a business planning and budgetary process. Thank you.