Mr. Speaker, last week I was honoured to represent the people and the potential of the Northwest Territories on the national stage at NWT Days. Since becoming Premier I have often said wouldn’t it be great if we could all go to Ottawa together and, Mr. Speaker, I can say with complete confidence, it was great.
---Applause
The Government of the Northwest Territories strengthened our presence in the nation’s capital and provided an opportunity to focus Canada’s attention on our priorities, potential and vision for the future.
The Government of the Northwest Territories Cabinet, eight Members of the Legislative Assembly, Aboriginal government leaders, and representatives of industry in the Northwest Territories made up the NWT Days delegation. This group of Northerners helped us communicate the Northwest Territories priorities and challenges to the federal government and key stakeholders.
Meetings with the federal government on priority files were essential to the success of NWT Days. I had a very productive meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the importance of concluding a Devolution Agreement with Canada within the agreed to time frames, the commitment of the Government of the Northwest Territories to the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway, and the economic potential of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Link Project. I was also able to discuss these matters with Minister Aglukkaq, along with the Government of the Northwest Territories active interest in the Arctic Council file. I had the opportunity to meet with Minister Duncan, who reiterated his
commitment to the completion of devolution negotiations between our two governments.
Government of the Northwest Territories Cabinet Ministers met with senior federal Ministers to discuss a number of key priorities of this Assembly related to infrastructure, hydro and economic development. As a Cabinet it was critical that our Ministers had the opportunity to meet with their federal counterparts on these key priorities. We were able to have productive discussions with Ministers Aglukkaq, Kent, Ashfield, Lebel, Toews, Finley, Nicholson and Menzies, who reiterated their commitment to working with the Government of the Northwest Territories on our shared priorities.
Members of Cabinet, along with Members of the Legislative Assembly, Aboriginal government leaders and industry representatives also met with key committees of both the House of Commons and the Senate, as well as some of our nation’s foremost public policy think tanks.
The delegation visited the House of Commons during question period, where we were recognized by the Speaker, and where Northwest Territories issues such as devolution, and our leadership role in biomass, solar and water stewardship were raised on the floor.
Mr. Speaker, whether it was meetings with senior federal Ministers being recognized in the House of Commons or hosting two filled-to-capacity receptions for influential decision-makers in Ottawa, NWT Days was a resounding success.
We also took the opportunity to highlight the Northwest Territories culture and tourism potential during Winterlude. It is estimated that 8,000 people visited the Winterlude pavilion where the Northwest Territories had a display throughout the weekend. Interactive display screens gave people the opportunity to access images and information about all regions of the Northwest Territories. This interactive technology is a legacy investment that Government of the Northwest Territories departments will be able to use in a variety of places, including airports, visitors centres and schools, for many years to come.
To ensure our message had maximum impact, we reached out to the news media conducting several interviews with national network flagship programs, as well as national and international print media. We went to Ottawa with the intention of creating a buzz and raising the profile of the Northwest Territories and the interests of its residents, and I believe we accomplished this.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the members of the Northwest Territories delegation. In particular, I would like to thank the Members of the Legislative Assembly, Aboriginal government leaders and industry representatives. One of the things we heard when we were in Ottawa is how unique it is for a government to bring a delegation with participants from a variety of organizations.
Much of the positive impact of NWT Days came from the members of the delegation, who fulfill a wide range of roles in the Northwest Territories and who have similar priorities and concerns and shared these with the federal government and opinion leaders to help see the Northwest Territories fulfill its potential. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of departmental officials with Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, and Industry, Tourism and Investment. As well, we appreciate the hard work of NWT Tourism and NWT youth ambassadors in assisting with the Spectacular NWT portion of NWT Days.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories knows the value of good relationships, and we have made it a priority to reach out across governments and across sectors. The key to unleashing our potential lies in the power of partnerships, and I believe NWT Days in Ottawa has done much to move us towards this goal. I am proud to have led such a prestigious group with representation from across the territory, who worked together to advance the interests of all of the people of the Northwest Territories. I look forward to continuing to develop the goodwill built during NWT Days, further strengthening our presence in the nation’s capital, advancing our key priorities, and building on the relationships developed among the NWT Days delegation to create a future where the Northwest Territories and our people are an essential part of Canada’s economy and Canada’s future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Michael Miltenberger will be absent from the House today to attend to a personal matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to make some more references to yesterday’s budget address. It’s very great to see that we have big projects that are committed to from the 17th Legislative Assembly, and that’s the Inuvik-Tuk highway as well as the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Link and working forward into those two big projects. It’s something that I’ve strongly supported and continue to support throughout this government and to see this process through.
However, one thing that I want to take caution with is that when these projects, should they get approved and go through the process, that this government actually looks at working with our Aboriginal and northern companies to ensure the work gets done, and that the economy and dollars do stay in the North, and provide jobs to our northern contractors and northern sub-contractors.
Since I’ve been in this position, about 15 months now, I’ve written letters of support for some of our Aboriginal northern companies. We have lost some contracts that were not negotiated. I would not like to see with big infrastructure projects like this, even though it’s a great thing for my region and the territory as a whole – and Canada as a whole connecting sea-to-sea-to-sea sovereignty, all the off-shore drilling – that when the dollars are brought forth, they stay in the North, they provide jobs for our northern workers, our northern companies, and that they do not go south to southern contractors.
Like I said, since I’ve been here, I’ve written letters for three Aboriginal northern companies who have all been overlooked, and I don’t want to see that happen for a fourth time, especially with big projects like this. I think that the Ministers that are appropriate for the departments that I’ve written letters for, need to be held accountable and need to work with Members on this side so that when we bring a letter forward to government asking for our northern companies to work that they do get the jobs and contracts.
I will have some questions later for the Minister of ITI on the Business Incentive Policy. I commend the work of this government and the 17th Legislative Assembly for these two big projects, the Inuvik fibre optic link and the Inuvik-Tuk highway.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A single organ donor can save up to eight lives and their tissue can help up to 50 people. This is why today I wish to talk about organ donation in the NWT.
With more than 4,800 Canadians on the wait list for organ transplants, supply cannot meet current demand. It is with this in mind that my remaining time as Member of the 17th Assembly will be dedicated to the modernization of our outdated Human Tissue Act.
It goes without saying that this journey does not start with me but will be the continuance of many Members before me, such as MLA Tony Whitford, who in 1994 tried to persuade Transportation Minister John Todd, who replied, “It is impractical.” Then it was my colleague MLA Jane Groenewegen in 1998 with Minister Kelvin Ng with the response of, “We’re looking into the possibility of including an organ donation on the back of NWT health cards.” Of course, this never happened. In 2001 MLA Charles Dent raised the issue again with then Health Minister Michael Miltenberger, who announced a task force on organ and tissue donation. It was to be reported back in the House in August 2002. Unfortunately, there is no copy of this press release, nor is the Department of Health and Social Services able to provide a copy of this task force report or action plan. Finally, in 2009 my other colleague MLA Robert Hawkins raised the issue with Health Minister Sandy Lee with a waiver reply of, “Our organ donors or transplants are done in southern jurisdictions.” My sincere thanks and admiration goes out to these former and current legislative Members for shining a light on organ and tissue donation in the NWT.
Where do we go from here? For starters, I believe we need to review the options for starting an organ donor registry in the Northwest Territories. We need to define ways for NWT residents to become actively involved in organ and tissue donation, and develop a long-term plan to improve NWT participation in the donation process. Admittedly, we need to make sure all Northerners, no matter where they live, have the ability to participate in helping others who are in need. Furthermore, we need to consider ways for NWT residents to use space on their NWT health care cards or driver’s licence to allow for the facilitative organ donation. Finally, we need a firm commitment from every Member of the 17th Legislative Assembly to support this initiative.
Therefore, I stand before you today as a humble servant of this House, as an elected representative for the riding of Range Lake, and I ask my colleagues here today: Will you support me on this quest?
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to rise just to honour the original ice bridge workers from Fort Providence. For over 50 years, generations of workers braved extreme cold and deathly cold conditions to build and maintain the ice bridge across the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence. They did this for the last time in the winter of 2011-2012. With the opening of the Deh Cho Bridge, there will no longer be an ice crossing at Fort Providence.
Building ice roads is hard and dangerous work. It involves long days and nights in all kinds of weather, and the risks of being the first and the last to test the strength of the ice. There is a lot of pressure to get the roads open and to keep them open as long as possible. It takes dedication and determination to make that happen. Today I would like to honour all of those who, over the years, made sure that there was a safe crossing for the rest of us.
According to Mr. Richard Lafferty, he states that early ice bridge workers first began in 1963, and the crew included Mr. Max Sanderson, Mr. Archie Landry, Mr. John McLeod and the late John Bonnetrouge. Think of all the travellers who drove over the ice bridge on their way north or south. Think of all the equipment, groceries and other goods and materials, even entire manufactured homes and buildings, that came across the ice to supply Fort Providence, Behchoko, Yellowknife and all the mines north of Great Slave Lake. It’s amazing to imagine how much traffic used the crossing over the decades. The ice bridge workers might not have thought of it this way at the time, but through their efforts they made a tremendous contribution to the quality of life for residents, the success of local businesses and the NWT economy as a whole.
I hope that this House will join me in thanking all the Fort Providence ice bridge workers for their service to the Northwest Territories, and also all those workers who continue to build other ice roads elsewhere in the NWT. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This evening I have the opportunity of returning home again to take part in a great event. My colleague Mrs. Groenewegen and myself drop the puck for the Northern Hockey Challenge. The YK Flyers are going to play the Hay River Huskies tonight. I’d just like to talk about the Northern Hockey Challenge and the activities that are going on.
The Western Arctic and Nunavut are having two different competitions where the two will meet the winners of… The two divisions will play each other later.
Back in the early ‘90s, senior hockey was taken out of the Arctic Winter Games, and since then the numbers of senior hockey has kind of dwindled. A couple strong individuals believed that it was time to rejuvenate the senior men’s hockey and they created the Northern Hockey Challenge. It’s taken on a great interest throughout the North. I’d like to thank the major sponsor, First Air, for getting people around, but also there are several other sponsors. I’d like to thank them.
Currently in the standings, the YK Flyers have two wins. The Hay River Huskies have one win, one loss, and Inuvik has one win and three losses. We’re in the middle of the competition and I have challenged Mr. Dolynny from Yellowknife, and Mr. Moses from Inuvik, and I’m looking forward to seeing them, hopefully, wearing Husky colors for a photo opportunity.
Once again, I’d like to thank all those organizers, those people who have tried to rejuvenate the senior men’s hockey throughout the North, and I look forward to tonight’s competition. Thank you.
The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. While we had an exceptional day yesterday with our much touted hold-the-line budget, it is still not faring well for my constituency. We continue to focus on huge projects that take away our financial resources and ability to take care of our other regions and communities. We must ensure a balance.
I have stood up here time and time again to let government know we need to replace schools in our small communities like Trout Lake, and fix our Highway No. 7, which will only help our North with tourism and industry. Our budgets are often painted as a great thing, but we need to ensure budgeted programming money gets spent in the communities. It does no good to have a program only to create a job, often in Yellowknife, which reduces programming dollars.
I am concerned, as well, about our passive restraint policy, which means departments are pressed not to expend funds if they don’t have to. Often this means that departments are commended for being under budget, which is not a good thing for small communities that desperately need programming because of the cost of delivering programs.
Finally, the Mackenzie Valley Highway north of Wrigley has to become a priority of our government. I and several colleagues see the value of this. We have to start our strategy and our planning in this fiscal year. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In a way never before, the NWT took Ottawa by storm, led by our Premier, Bob McLeod. Mr. McLeod’s vision and leadership brought together many politicians, Aboriginal leaders, and certainly business leaders in a way never before seen, united in a front to support the North. Our campaign without his leadership wouldn’t have gone as far as it did. It was a great success. Our campaign was to raise northern issues, and it all came down to the leadership of Bob McLeod. He deserves our thanks for that, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
In a way never before, to his credit, he brought the NWT issues all the way down to Ottawa. They talked about the NWT for a whole week. Never before have our issues become their issues.
Over the four days in Ottawa, our story was told all about the NWT. We made those leaders understand our agenda and what’s important in the North. They learned about the potential of the North and what the North can do for Canada. They learned about our potential. Our Premier, with his ambitious hunger and focus, made sure, in a seriously focused attitude, that the NWT delegation was out there pounding the streets, and we knocked on doors and we got that attention.
Our Premier led our vision with seven priorities. Without that focus, they wouldn’t understand about the sustainable needs our territory needs and the investment. This Premier brought this to our House. He brought the attention and credibility to the northern issues and I thank him for that.
Our vision was finely tuned, and it was to dovetail with the issues led by our federal government so we can improve Canada’s North. We talked about building infrastructure, we talked about supporting housing, we talked about increased training, all important pillars for success in the North. These priorities are designed to thrust the northern economy forward, because we can be, and will be, a net contributor to Canada.
Now that Ottawa has had a formal education on NWT issues about what type of economic powerhouse we can be, I am going to tell you, they were keen to hear our message and we were keen to tell it.
In short, and to bring it to a close, I want to say we couldn’t have done it without the leadership of Premier McLeod, the Aboriginal leaders, our business leaders, and certainly the fine staff and support people we have in our GNWT. It would never have happened without them, and their fantastic work made us all look good. Thanks to Premier McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not used to being upstaged, but here I go.
---Laughter
This year’s budget includes a total of $5.15 million for energy initiatives. According to this Cabinet, 7 percent of this budget will go to energy planning. The Government of the Northwest Territories has a consistent track record of spending millions on energy studies, surveys, strategies and public consultation; yet, for all the energy that has gone into energy planning, we only pay more for heat and power every year. For all the planning, two of our communities are in dire need of reliable energy sources. The town of Norman Wells was one hour away from evacuation recently when it lost its natural gas connection during one of the coldest weeks in January.
The 14th Assembly’s Energy Secretariat spent its $2 million budget on public consultation and related discussion papers about energy in the Northwest Territories. The 15th Assembly spent upwards of $4 million on energy planning. The 16th Assembly spent close to $4.5 million on energy planning and policy exercises alone. For that amount we could have purchased at least 3,500 wood stoves, 1,000 wood pellet stoves or small pellet boilers, 5,000 diesel-fired hot water heaters, 2,500 Energy Star doors that people could put on their houses to keep the warm air they pay for in and the cold air out. It might have given taxpayers real, tangible results and obvious cost savings.
For example, if we replaced electric hot water heaters for diesel-fired hot water heaters in some of our small communities that are the most reliant on diesel and where the cost of electricity and government subsidies are the highest, we could hope to see a return on our money within the life of this Assembly. We could make some headway if we continue to offer successful programs, and focus on realistic energy goals, instead of burning our resources to subsidize the ever increasing fuel costs and letting opportunities to really make a difference pass us by.
We have talked, we have plotted, we have planned. It’s time to get real energy savings to residents and businesses to make the Northwest Territories a more affordable place to live and work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about one of my pet peeves with GNWT programs and services: the lack of customer service that we provide to our users.
GNWT employees are all members of a public service. That should mean that they ensure that the public, NWT residents, receive service; the same kind of service that we expect from the retail and the food sector. But at times when designing programs, we – and I mean both the government and workers – forget that. We forget to consider customer service in our planning for the provision of services and in the delivery of those services.
An example of this came to my attention recently. The Yellowknife motor vehicles office is a busy place. Staff are pleasant and hard working. It’s an office that provides many things to the public, many different kinds of vehicle registrations, driver licensing for all type of vehicles, provides information, certifies records and so on. In person, service seems to be pretty good; but once you have to use the phone to deal with the motor vehicles staff, things are not so good. There are three potential staff available for inquiries; at least there are three people and phone numbers listed for that. It should be possible to call and get one of the three to actually answer the phone and speak to the callers, but that seems not to be the case.
A Frame Lake constituent who recently called all three numbers in a very short period of time had all calls go right to voice mail. No possibility to actually speak to a live human being, and the voice mail messages all promised a response to the message within 48 hours. Forty-eight hours. I think that’s unacceptable. A minimum standard of customer service demands a callback the same day that the voice message was left. Is this a case of not enough staff? Is it just a case of poor callback policy? What standard of customer service does the Minister expect from Transportation employees who provide services to the public?
The GNWT employs some 5,000 people. Surely we can analyze our staffing complement and program needs and find another area or another office who can give up a person to motor vehicles so we can actually have the phones answered. Residents do often have an urgent need for information and cannot attend the office in person. They can’t, nor should they have to, wait two days to get the info required.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
The Finance Minister said yesterday that the GNWT is striving for efficient and effective government. If that’s a sincere statement, we should seriously examine employee productivity and adjust our staff accordingly. At the very least, Mr. Speaker, we must add a staffer by transfer, at the motor vehicles office to improve the level of service that we should provide. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every second term this Legislative Assembly reviews its electoral boundaries to see whether the distribution of seats is fair and appropriate. The interim report from the Electoral Boundaries Commission has been released, and the opportunity for all citizens to have their voice is here.
This Assembly set the rules for the review, and will ultimately decide whether to adopt or reject and replace final recommendations. MLAs will have their final say, but for now I am keen for citizens to have theirs, and I would like to stress today the vital importance of citizen participation in these consultations for the health of our democracy and truly representative government.
The principle is as old as the Magna Carta: if you’re going to govern me, you must consult me. In our democracy, we fulfill that obligation by electing representatives to speak on behalf of citizens living in a specific area. Therefore, it’s important that the distribution of seats be equitable and balanced.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission has been given direction on factors to take into account in suggesting the population and location of ridings, including the Canadian guideline to strive to maintain populations within 25 percent above or below the average population of all ridings.
For the first time, the direction of the commission has included consideration of at least three alternatives, including featuring 18, 19 and 21 ridings. This should assist citizens to provide more focused input in response to concrete proposals.
Public consultation began in Fort Providence on Wednesday, and opens in Yellowknife this February 11th at Northern United Place and February 12th at Range Lake North School from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. There will be further meetings in Yellowknife and Detah in mid-March.
Personal political freedom is one of the greatest gifts of our society. Just look around the world to see how precious it really is. Our right to vote is the basis of our democratic election process. The commission needs your input to produce wise recommendations on how those votes are accumulated to elect Members to the seats of this Assembly.
As citizens we have a right and a duty to make sure our democracy works in our best individual and common interests. That opportunity is here now and I urge all citizens to claim that right, exercise the privilege of self-government and free expression, and contribute to maintaining a strong democracy. Be involved.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have my Member’s statement on the update of the key issues in the Sahtu that I want to talk about in the next five weeks. We just heard the budget and we’re certainly asking questions regarding the needs in the Sahtu.
I want to talk about some of the things that are happening in my region. I’m asking questions on why. Why wait? Why can’t we do things differently in the Sahtu region? For example, in the Sahtu there is a real high interest of oil and gas. Oil is booming in the Sahtu. Why are we waiting to put in an all-weather road in the Sahtu? What else do we have to say to the government to say there’s high interest?
There’s over $600 million committed over the next five to 10 years in the Sahtu, possibly more. Why continue to wait to see if these resources are proven? I’m asking these types of questions. Why have the log jam? Why are our winter roads closed for 24 hours? Why is this government not prepared to put a package together to bring to the federal government for funding?
I also want to ask about the housing needs. Housing is crowded in the Sahtu. The people are living in warehouses and shacks. I’ve been to Deline. I’ve talked to the Minister about this, why people are looking at what is happening. We have three empty houses in Deline and some people are still living in shacks. I want to ask the Minister what is happening that we’re not doing something, or the people are not rising to the level of taking some responsibility to get into these houses.
Another important issue is alcohol in my region. That is causing a lot of concern for my people. We have the Minister’s forum going out to listen to the people in the North and they’re going to the Sahtu next week. Why are half of our young people using a lot of alcohol? Our jails are full because of crimes related to alcohol. People are dying in this day and age.
The last issue I want to talk about is why isn’t the energy issue such as the Norman Wells lights out being looked at further. Why is this still happening today?
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge and share with you the history of the Lutselk’e Community Garden.
Years ago, elder Alizette Lockhart of Lutselk’e had a vision of a community garden. She often spoke of her vision and succeeded only as far as planting a seed in people’s minds. Although she did foresee a community garden, there was not enough community support back then to make her vision a reality. However, over the years, Alizette and other community members finally decided to visit the idea of planting a garden, the seed that Alizette planted.
In 2007, Industry, Tourism and Investment introduced a Small Scale Food Program. They offered the community of Lutselk’e help to start a community garden. Stephanie Poole, Gene Hache and Nicole Redvers were the ones who initially started the community garden.
Upon seeing positive results, the community members started to participate and get involved in many different ways. Stephanie Poole and Tracey Williams have since taken an active leadership role in community gardens by way of doing various kinds of research on growing techniques and how to maintain a community garden. Whereas the community started a garden with one plot and now has not only two plots, but members community-wide have been growing their own gardens.
The community garden has turned out to be very positive in many ways. Many members who have started to participate eventually started to grow their own gardens. Members find it keeps them busy and productive in healthy ways. Members socialize in healthy ways by seeking assistance and advice from other members and find satisfaction in being self-sufficient, and family members find they’re a lot healthier and less expensive to grow their own vegetables and potatoes.
Once community members of Lutselk’e have finally decided to plant the seed of the elder’s vision and through accepting help from ITI started to reap the benefits in only a positive and healthy way.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of MACA and are on the issue of a payday loan company with an office in Yellowknife and active in Ontario is facing a loss of its Ontario licence because of overcharging interest and fees. Despite exactly the same sorts of problems with payday loans here in Yellowknife, we hear no reports of action by our government to investigate, monitor and control what is happening here. The 16th Assembly passed law to require clarity in payday loan agreements for customers, but the best law is meaningless without enforcement. My question is: Does the department even review the forms and fee schedules of these companies?
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; the 16th Assembly did pass the Cost of Disclosure Act, and it basically gives consumers an idea of what the interest rate might be with the companies that are charging. It is a situation we faced on a couple of occasions in the Northwest Territories. Down south it’s a little more widely spread. They are protected under the Criminal Code, because they are not allowed to charge in excess of 60 percent.
We continue to monitor this. We work with our southern counterparts to monitor this. As of this moment, we think the Cost of Disclosure Act and educating those out there that want to borrow what they might be getting into, I think is a good first step.
Thanks for the Minister’s comments. I hope that the Minister will report to committee on the results of that monitoring.
People who rely on payday loan companies are often the most vulnerable in our society, as the Minister knows; people without bank accounts or fixed addresses. They then become trapped in a cycle of debt, paying their whole paycheques so they can borrow on the next, or borrowing to pay their loans. It’s not a coincidence that loans stores are located right nearby both of our liquor stores.
When the law was introduced, what steps did the department take to meet with firms to make sure that they are aware of the law and are meeting their legal responsibilities for transparency of fees and interest rates?
I would have to follow up on that, and with the department, to see if there was any communication with the firms. Once I get that information, I will share it with the Members across.
I appreciate the Minister’s commitment there. Reports I have from visits to these local offices say there are no prominent postings of information on legal limits to interest rates and fees. It’s all in the fine print when it comes to signing the contract.
Will the Minister ensure work with the firms to produce and publicize this information, and prominently post posters and pamphlets for display at loan offices?
I will commit to trying to get some information out there. The cost of the Credit Disclosure Act, I thought, was a good first step. If the firms are not making the consumers aware of what the potential interest rates are on these, then, to me, that would be a violation of the legislation that was passed by the 16th Assembly and we’d have to follow up on that.
