That information will likely come from the regional council. Like I said, they have all the information. I’m willing to have my staff meet with the regional representative and provide that information. Whatever information we have from our department perspective we can share with the regional council. But then again, it is the regional council that is responsible for looking after the students based on our funding allocation through the council.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question I believe is for the Minister of the Power Corporation or the ATCO proposal. I’m wondering what criteria have been given to the review committee who are looking at the ATCO proposal. Are they asking is it well written, will it reduce power costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase employment, lower environmental impacts? I’m wondering what guidance has been given to that review committee. We certainly didn’t have any input to that.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess, first of all, the Power Corporation itself is not a part of that process. It is under the Executive branch that we’re doing this review on that piece. I’ve requested some time with committee to sit down and go over it. It is general in nature initially. We want to do the first phase as to what they’ve put on the table and get some more detail. In fact, the group will be meeting with a couple of the experts in the field coming up, so they can sit down with them to get further indication of what they would want to do. But it’s based on what the offer’s been put on the table is the initial phase of looking at that.
We have a number of other things within the Power Corporation itself and the review of the Power Corporation around electricity distribution delivery that we’re doing some work on as well. Also, the Minister of the Energy Coordinating Committee tabled in the House the Hydro Strategy for the Northwest Territories. All of these pieces will have to fit together as we look at the future of the Northwest Territories and development of energy possibilities.
I appreciate those comments. Just for clarification, is there a terms of reference for this ATCO power proposal review committee? Is there a terms of reference for them? If so, would the Minister table that in the House?
It’s one thing to engage with a private sector company and look at a proposal and establish a terms of reference for our crew to have a look at that. I’m prepared to sit down with committee to go over that and present the terms of reference at that time, but I’m not prepared at this time to table them.
Given that this is clearly a behind-the-scenes, behind-closed-doors process, and we’ve had no input into it, and we’ve had repeated calls for a public/private partnership policy, I’m wondering what guidance this Premier has given along the line in the absence of that policy and exactly what process he will provide the Members on this side of the House for real input that can assure the public that this behind-closed-doors process is a valid one.
I guess clearly the 3P process or work that’s beginning is separate from an initiative like this. We’re looking at a partnership potentially that could help us. As well, I’ve said to other groups out there, for example the regional leadership, if they want to put a proposal in, we’d be prepared to look at it. We don’t know the levels of partnership that would be involved. But at this time, as I’ve committed to Members and said a number of times, the initial review of the proposal that was brought forward I’ll get a response, I will go back to Cabinet and then committee before any further decisions and decide if this is the right avenue to be going, so Members are well aware of steps that need to be taken or should be considered.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I just have to say if this public government is partnering with a private company, it sounds like 3P policy would be appropriate to have in place to help guide that process. Can the Minister at least assure me that there are strong environmental considerations that the committee has been alerted to, to ensure is part of the review of this unsolicited proposal?
One of the overall things, our own interest in the Northwest Territories is how we can reduce our footprint when it comes to the environment. The Hydro Strategy that we’ve put out there is one of those avenues, as this budget also speaks to alternative energy. So we’re definitely interested in that piece. As we go forward, looking at those initiatives, it would be the next stage. The first stage is looking at what they’ve actually brought to the table and what it means in detail for any steps going forward. I’m prepared to sit down with Members on that and go through a process with Members.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Finance. In the recent federal budget millions of dollars were highlighted that are available to Canadians for infrastructure and many other projects. Some of that money has been identified as an Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. Possibly $5 million could accrue to us. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if he knows what that money can be used for and when it might be available.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are still waiting for the detail of how these many pots of money are going to roll out. Some are clearer than others. The Building Canada Fund, for example, is an existing program where we’re compressing the time frame. This Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, along with their Green Fund and a host of other smaller pots of money that we may be eligible for, we’re still awaiting the detail to see what’s possible for us in terms of the conditions and criteria, how they apply to us as a Territory and how they may possibly apply to municipalities.
Thank you to the Minister for that response. I understand that details are probably not known yet. The federal government is not known for their speed on providing detail. I guess I would like to know if the Minister knows from the general comments that were part of the federal budget whether or not if a project is shovel ready -- to use the federal term -- by the summer of 2009 whether or not that would speed up access to funds from this Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
Given the federal government’s stated commitment for a two-year stimulus and to use it or lose it, the more shovel ready projects we have are design ready, that are ready to be put in on the ground, I think is going to be a key criteria given the short time frames for the fund. Thank you.
It is good to hear that. The Minister is probably aware, as are hopefully Members in here that I have an area in my riding that is under almost a state of emergency in terms of replacing their water and sewer infrastructure. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not he would be willing to look to the federal government for some of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund dollars to have them flow through from GNWT to the City of Yellowknife to assist the Northlands Condo to replace their water and sewer infrastructure. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I will make a commitment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of MACA, that he would be looking at how this money would flow, working with the City of Yellowknife to make sure that we can access each and every one of these pots even though they may be project-based or would have to compete with other communities and provinces from across the country. Yes, we will make sure that we work with the City of Yellowknife to see what is possible. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is good to hear. I am really pleased to hear that both MACA and the Minister of Finance are looking to see if we can’t assist my residents on this project. I would just ask the Minister whether or not he would be willing to sit down with the City of Yellowknife and myself and the Minister of MACA to try and determine what could be done and how fast it could be done. Thank you.
What we will commit to is, of course, to get the very latest information that we have in terms of any detail that would add or allow us to have a fully informed discussion. When we have that, we will share it with the Member and then we can arrange to have the discussions necessary to see not only Yellowknife but across the North where we are in the best position to take best advantage of this funding. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
Mr. Speaker, as I noted in my statement that there was a meeting earlier today between the president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council and a couple of the leaders in Inuvik and also in Fort McPherson. Mr. Speaker, in my statement, I have never been so frustrated as I am today realizing that the Gwich’in people that I represent and the claim that I helped negotiate some 17 years ago, I hoped was really going to make a difference but yet, Mr. Speaker, it seems pretty obvious to me that this government is undermining everything that the Gwich’in Tribal Council has worked for for the last 17 years by way of establishment of its retail business, its rental space business, the aviation business that it is in in regards to the Discovery Air deal, a lost opportunity by way of the $34 million government loan, a construction of $100 million school in Inuvik where they ended up getting six loads of gravel to the job site.
Mr. Speaker, in Inuvik alone, there are $140 million worth of capital expenditure. Is this government in the business of putting aboriginal organizations such as the Gwich’in Tribal Council out of business?
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was a part of that meeting as well, as the Member has pointed out. Though there are some differences on some of the contracts that are being looked at and the projects that are in place, this government is not, for the record, undermining aboriginal rights and the processes that have been there. We have worked hard to come up with all the pieces. In fact, if you look at the implementation side of it, as I am aware, my last update is that there are no outstanding issues on the implementation side of the land claim. Self-government process is underway. That will continue to be underway and worked on. The projects the Member has spoken about, those initially were started as joint support from both aboriginal groups in the area. There is some dispute as to the actual authority whether it is a land claim or GNWT under the municipal boundaries of any of our communities involved. In that area, we are going to, as I committed to the president, put our information together on paper and share that with them and see where we can go from there. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, again, as a government, why is this government having to take the position where groups have actually had to take this government to court to get their attention? Don’t you think it is easier if we can sit down, talk through our differences and if it comes to that, bring in an arbitrator? If we can’t get to that, go to family counselling because I think you definitely need it. Mr. Speaker, the Premier represents the Inuvik region where the Gwich’in Tribal Council is. You’d think, if anything, as the Premier and in his riding, that he would be consulting with the Gwich’in Tribal Council on a daily basis. What is the Premier going to do to avoid the possibility of a court case and work out the differences by way of consultation?
Mr. Speaker, the comment about family counselling, maybe we could all use that in the Northwest Territories in trying to come up with an approach forward. Realistically, Mr. Speaker, we have and we can put on record the many things we have done as a government started in previous governments honoured by this government in working with the aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories. The MOU process is one that started with the Gwich’in is now expanding to other regions and will continue to expand as rights become more clarified. There are times, and unfortunately, there will be times when we will disagree on certain interpretations. At that time, yes, it may be a process that should go through arbitration but it is also up to the groups if they feel that is not an avenue they want to go with. Unfortunately, the courts are there and they will set absolute clarity for all parties. I would, as well as I mentioned to the president, prefer we try to work something out on coming to a common understanding. If we can’t do that, then we do have to look at other options out there. The process we have in place is the MOU through ITI and a contracts issue is still in place and our understanding is that they are going to renegotiate that process for a new one to come in place hopefully after March. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, yes, there is an MOU that used to work and which we find out today it doesn’t work. Also, in regards to the issues that I mentioned, this government has put forward a $100 million negotiating contract in Inuvik. Every negotiating contract has to be brought forward to Cabinet with a list of sub-contractors that are going to be used on that job site. There are companies working in Inuvik right now who weren’t on that original list. Again, that is a breach of our policies in government. In regards to the deal and in regards to Discovery Air deal, the $33 million deal, the government has made it clear, oh, sorry, we didn’t do a market disruption review because we didn’t think we needed one. Again, that is a breach of government policy. How can this government be trusted to work with aboriginal organizations that basically want to compete in the northern economy but yet are struggling with government decisions on that side of the House? Would the Premier do a review in regards to the issues that were discussed today and bring forth recommendations either by way of how Cabinet can resolve this issue or people in the field so we won’t be in the situation where we end up in court? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, as I have said earlier, I committed to the president that I would have the appropriate paperwork and the process clearly put together so that we all have the same paper in front of us and go through that process together. There are existing agreements in place. The MOU is in place and was extended I believe and renegotiation has been committed to. The fact of the $100 million contract school was debated here in this Assembly with the infrastructure budget put in place and I believe information on the contract list was provided to members. If not, I will request that the Minister responsible provide that to the Member. Again, that project is actually just getting underway. There was a separate contract for the foundation work that was a public tender process. The other thing we do have to realize is if there is either negotiated contract request, that because there are two aboriginal groups in the region, that has to work. Now the dispute, Mr. Speaker, comes in when one says, well, the community of Inuvik proper belongs in a particular land claim agreement or the other. Our reference material shows the fact that the municipal boundaries, the community of Inuvik is Commissioner’s land and operate under the NWT Act and those agreements apply outside and around that within the settlement area proper.
We are going to put the paperwork together. The preferred approach is let us sit down and let us roll up our sleeves and come to an understanding. Where we can’t, then it is the arbitration process or further yet, as highlighted, court action. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe one of the key areas of contention is the area around the office building in Inuvik. Again, there was a person in the field who basically made reference that they don’t want to get into a negotiated contract in regards to that office building. They are going to go public tender and it was said verbally to one of the community leaders. There was a meeting between the Premier and the Gwich’in Tribal Council leadership. There was a verbal understanding that the Gwich’in were going to negotiate that facility by way of a negotiated contract but yet, now we are already told the contract has been put out. Would the Premier seriously consider pulling that contract until you can work out the dispute with the Gwich’in Tribal Council and continue to move forward? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of the office building as the Member has raised here was debated during the infrastructure budget process. It did come up again this morning. When we were up in Inuvik, the Minister responsible informed the leadership that he was at the stage of going out to a public RP process and informed them today that, in fact, did go out just recently. We would be looking at what options are available, but the simple fact is this process has been out there for quite some time. In fact, both organizations put in unsolicited proposals and neither was accepted at that stage. The government went out on its own proposal once before and that was for a lease option and there was no take-up on that proposal. It was felt that we needed to get moving. There were a couple of years in this process. That is why the department went for a design build approach and have gone the method they have. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement, I talked about the need for a wellness centre in the Sahtu region. I know the Members have been asking for this for a bit. I would ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if there was ever a report or study done on small communities in terms of facilities in small communities or regions that don’t have a facility like other regions that have facilities like the wellness centre.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for the question and point that he has raised. Mr. Speaker, with respect to a report, it is my understanding that there was a report done a number of years ago for internal use only. We don’t have a most recent report done on health care facilities in the Sahtu or the Territories. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to share what she can in terms of the internal report on the types of facilities that are required in small regions? If not, will she be looking at working with the Sahtu Regional Health Board in terms of looking at the needs for such a facility in our region?
My understanding is that report is quite outdated. I think the point that the Member is raising is very valid. We do not have the comprehensive report on the capital or facility needs of the Territories in terms of health and social service related capital projects. I think it is one that we need to develop. I have instructed the officials to look into that. I certainly understand that we need to catch up on the work on the capital needs in the Sahtu. I will be happy to make a commitment to the Member that I will work with him and the health board in Sahtu, work toward this initiative. Thank you.
I certainly appreciate the Minister’s willingness to work with the regional health board for the people in the Sahtu. Now that we have some indications from the federal government in terms of funding from the housing initiatives, I know we have a certain amount of time to use this funding. Would the Minister be able to work closely with the Housing Minister to see what possibilities are out there in terms of facilities that are needed desperately in the Sahtu in regards to facilities that I’m asking for?
The Member from Sahtu has raised issues for capital projects in terms of a health facility in Colville Lake, regional wellness centre, a seniors facility in Sahtu and so we would have to do some more work to prioritize. We should also look at what the demands and needs are in the Territories for these facilities and prioritize them. Obviously, all of this work would require on my part to work with all of the Cabinet Members as well as the Members of this House. I will certainly be willing to see the Housing Minister to see if there are any funds there to support us from the federal government. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Your final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, when I look at the Northwest Territories in terms of health and social services facilities, I see them in different regions. I don’t see anything in the Sahtu in terms of emergency shelters, seniors facilities or regional wellness centres. When I spoke to the regional health board CEO, the priority from the board was a regional wellness health centre. I am saying that we can be creative in terms of looking at funding that could be available because this is a long-term facility. We are looking at other options that we could do within the life of this Assembly. So that is what I am asking. Would the Minister put a dedicated person on file to work with the Sahtu Health Board staff to start identifying the details in terms of what facility could be available in the Sahtu in the future?
I certainly agree with the Member that the Sahtu is probably…and I have to say I haven’t travelled to the Sahtu yet as the Minister of Health and Social Services. I have to go there and see for myself, but my understanding is that Sahtu is one without a long-term care facility for seniors, for example. I know that the health facility in Norman Wells was one that was transferred from the federal government and it is very aged. I will make the commitment to see what we have in Sahtu and work with him and the board to see how we prioritize the needs in the Sahtu and put it into the process. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
