Debates of March 17, 2004 (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to bring up an issue that has been talked about for too long in the past government. Today we heard a budget address that addresses us going forward in a new direction and bringing prosperity to our country. The issue that I’m talking about, Mr. Speaker, is the BIP policy. I want to ask my questions to the Minister of RWED today, but I’m sure that this issue is going to be around now for awhile and eventually I’ll have some questions for the Premier on it.

Over the life of the 14th Legislative Assembly we spent probably two years going around the Northwest Territories consulting with people, looking at draft changes to the business incentive policy and the word was back that we should not change the business incentive policy. We should leave it as is. It’s a government policy and the government should administer it as such. I would like to ask the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, is there another move afoot to make changes to the business incentive policy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 17-15(3): Business Incentive Policy

No, Mr. Speaker. At this point there is no intention on the part of this government to change the business incentive policy. Of course, we would always listen to the suggestions of committee, should they suggest that we would consider it. But our feeling is at this point that we would not be proposing any change. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 17-15(3): Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if there are no changes to the business incentive policy, is the Minister aware of any of the departments within the government that are putting out contracts and not applying the business incentive policy to them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 17-15(3): Business Incentive Policy

I am aware that the Housing Corporation has gone to the marketplace for the provision of housing in non-market communities and the BIP is being waived on this provision of housing.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 17-15(3): Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if this is a government policy and it’s to be applied government-wide, how does the Housing Corporation get to waive the BIP on a contract that they put out? Who do they get permission from? Is it from RWED or is it from the government itself, the Cabinet? Where do they get permission to waive the BIP on a contract? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 17-15(3): Business Incentive Policy

Thank you. My understanding is that the Housing Corporation approached Cabinet in the past Assembly and made the case that the provision of housing in non-market communities had to be done in the most cost-effective manner. They had concerns that this couldn’t be achieved with the BIP in place and asked Cabinet to direct that they be allowed to waive the BIP on this contract. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s really unfortunate that we spent so much time on this very issue over the last four years and we have so many issues in front of us right now, big issues to deal with with this government, and I’m very much afraid that this issue is going to rear its ugly head again and take up an awful lot of our time. I’m aware of other departments that are looking at playing with the BIP, whether it’s the local preference or the 15 percent on different contracts. If this government has the BIP policy and if they feel that it’s an important policy to this government, then I say that we stick to it. If not, let’s do away with the BIP. But let’s do one or the other. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I apologize. I did miss the question, if the Member could just restate the question. Thank you.

Mr. Delorey, restate the question.

Supplementary To Question 17-15(3): Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question was, is the Minister aware if the government still considers this policy to be beneficial to the government?

Minister of RWED.

Further Return To Question 17-15(3): Business Incentive Policy

Yes, Mr. Speaker, the government does believe that this is a policy that provides benefit to the people of the Northwest Territories, has a validity and we certainly continue to support it. Thank you.