Debates of March 24, 2004 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday the Minister of Finance for Canada, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, tabled the 2004 federal budget. I am pleased to report that this budget contained some good new for the Northwest Territories.

Among the issues addressed in the budget were the territorial formula financing agreement, a northern strategy for economic development, northern oil and gas development and health care. Also, there are provisions in the budget for environmental cleanup of contaminated sites and seabed mapping of the continental shelf. Although more detail is required on some of these initiatives, I believe that they will contribute positively to the overall situation in the NWT and we can be pleased with these initial positive signals from the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, the territorial formula financing agreement is the largest single source of GNWT revenues, and its adequacy is critical to our ability to provide health care, education and other essential services. I met with Mr. Goodale last month to discuss renewal of this agreement. At that time, he indicated he was prepared to increase funding under our formula financing agreement by $7.6 million in 2004-05. This amount would increase to $17 million in 2006-07 as the funding currently provided by Canada under the three-year territorial health fund is made permanent. These amounts were included in the revenue forecast I provided last Wednesday in my budget address.

In the budget address last Wednesday, I outlined a number of concerns with the federal proposal. The first was the need for additional funding to restore the adequacy of our formula to meet our expenditure needs. I noted that the federal proposal to address adequacy, while welcome, still fell short of the full restoration of the cut to our expenditure base made in 1996.

The second concern related to the calculation of the GNWT's tax effort in the formula, more commonly referred to as rebasing. The tax effort factor measures the GNWT's revenue raising capacity compared to the provincial average. Although Mr. Goodale's budget does not meet all our concerns, it does go part way and provides an important opportunity for us to continue to make our case on tax effort.

During our discussions about the renewal of the formula, we argued strenuously that initial calculations to rebase our formula made no sense to us. We have been unable to reconcile the numbers we were seeing with what we have observed about our own tax increases over the past 10 years compared with the provinces. Furthermore, rebasing would have a very large negative effect on our revenues. It would have offset any federal initiatives on adequacy, and would reintroduce perversity into the formula.

During discussions with Mr. Goodale, I proposed postponing rebasing for at least a year, to allow our officials to review the calculations, methodology and concept behind the tax effort adjustment factor.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that the federal Minister has responded positively, and has agreed to postpone rebasing for one year, to 2005-06. More importantly, he has also agreed that officials should review the tax effort adjustment factor and report back to us so that a decision can be made for 2005-06.

The delay of one year in rebasing our formula will have a significant positive, one-time impact on our fiscal situation. The revenue forecast I provided last week for 2004-05 has now improved by approximately $50 million.

---Applause

This money will be used to eliminate the deficit for 2004-05.

Welcome as this news is, Mr. Speaker, I must insert a note of caution. This is a one-time improvement that affects only the upcoming fiscal year, 2004-05. The long-term fiscal outlook does not change. In order to meet our target of a balanced budget by 2006-07, it is critical we maintain the fiscal strategy laid out in my budget address last week. We still need to identify an additional $20 million in expenditure savings and cost avoidance in each of 2005-06 and 2006-07 and we must increase our own-source revenues.

Mr. Speaker, the federal budget also announced a number of other measures for the North. These measures will not directly impact the GNWT's revenues, as they will be delivered through federal programs. We will need to get more specifics about how this money will be allocated, and how the Northwest Territories will be affected.

The budget contained an announcement of $90 million in funding over the next five years to implement a northern development strategy for the three northern territories. I understand that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Mr. Bagnell, will have responsibility for developing this strategy in conjunction with Minister Mitchell. We are anxious to learn how this funding will be allocated across the North, and what the criteria will be for its investment. It is important that this money be invested directly in the North, in areas that reflect northern priorities. My colleague, the Honourable Brendan Bell, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, will be following up on this issue.

The $75 million over three years that the federal government is allocating internally to northern oil and gas development will increase federal and regional environmental assessment capacity and streamline the regulatory process.

The budget also set aside $3.5 billion over 10 years for the cleanup of contamination on federal lands. It is estimated that 60 percent of this funding will be spent in the North. This funding will be used to clean up contaminated sites such as Port Radium, Giant Mine and the DEW Line sites.

Mr. Speaker, an important part of our fiscal strategy is a better deal from Canada. The changes to the formula will also help us meet our short-term needs, but do not address our longer-term requirements. We must continue to work with the federal government to address the adequacy of our fiscal arrangements on a long-term basis in order to ensure a solid fiscal foundation for the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is World TB Day. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the work that is being done to fight this disease, and the need for continued vigilance.

Mr. Speaker, the tuberculosis rate in our territory has remained five to 10 times above the national average over the past decade. Since the beginning of this year, five new cases have already been diagnosed, all in elders. The disease spreads through the air and can infect anyone. As Members know, this is very serious.

This morning we were launching a new video called Stop TB. The video is available in all of our health centres and we've also translated it into French, Gwich'in and Dogrib. It includes interviews taped in Lutselk'e, Rae Edzo, Wekweti, Aklavik and Yellowknife. I trust it will be a valuable resource and help people to recognize the early symptoms of TB. They can get tested in their own communities.

The department and authorities are working very hard to encourage people to get tested and to go for treatment if they need it.

We have new clinical practice guidelines and are developing new hospital standard regulations.

We are providing community profiles and training to identify TB patients.

We have a new Tuberculosis control manual.

We are developing proactive screening programs, because some people can carry the disease without getting sick.

We report on the number of TB cases regularly.

We are providing training and orientation to health care workers at all levels, including doctors, nurses, community health representatives and TB workers.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very proud of the work that's been done, but it's clear that we still have a long way to go. I hope we can continue this work and lower our TB rates to zero. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the American Gem Society Laboratories is one of the major polished diamond grading laboratories in the world. The American Gem Society grades polished diamonds for colour, clarity, carat and cut. It is one the world leaders in developing grading certification processes and was the first major laboratory in the world to grade for cut, based on its own cut grade system.

I am pleased today to host a delegation from the American Gem Society Laboratories, and at the appropriate time I will recognize my guests who are present in the gallery.

The American Gem Society currently operates one lab in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the United States is the primary market for their certificates. Some polished diamonds produced in the Northwest Territories are graded by the American Gem Society, primarily the higher quality and best cut diamonds, Mr. Speaker.

This visit is an opportunity for us to promote and explore Northwest Territories business opportunities with the American Gem Society Laboratories. These include the potential development of a coordinated certificate that includes the GNWT's certification of origin and the American Gem Society Laboratories' certification for quality. We will also explore opportunities to work together on research, development and technology with respect to new diamond cuts and rough diamond tracking.

The Government of the Northwest Territories looks forward to ongoing discussions with the American Gem Society Laboratories, and other prominent members of the international diamond industry, with the goal of ensuring that the NWT diamonds reach a broad market base and that our diamond industry develops to the maximum benefit of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge the volunteers of the Sahtu region. It has been brought to my attention that the community of Fort Good Hope in the Sahtu region will be hosting a volunteer awards dinner tomorrow at noon. Mr. Speaker, these volunteers will be recognized for their efforts in the search and rescue of the fatal plane crash last year that took the lives of some precious people that we dearly loved and are missed by our people.

Mr. Speaker, there are many volunteers who make huge contributions to our communities. With the region pulling together to help one another, this shows that as northern people we are unstoppable when we pull together for a common cause.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that approximately 25 individuals in the Sahtu region will be recognized, and I would like to personally say thank you very much to all these individuals for making a difference in the Sahtu. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in the House today to share with my colleagues an issue that is very important to my constituency and to the city of Yellowknife. The issue is that of an access road being constructed to connect Highway No. 3 to the Kam Lake Industrial Park.

Mr. Speaker, this access road from Highway No. 3 is necessary to lend our attention to for a variety of reasons. As most Members are aware, Airport Road in Yellowknife is a very busy thoroughfare. In fact, during rush hours at 8:30, noon and 5:00 p.m., it can be congested to the point where some residents are avoiding it. Businesses along the route suffer as a result.

Residents who live in the area have no choice. They just have to put up with the situation. The number of large trucks and service vehicles can create a safety problem along the route for residents who bike, run or walk. The City of Yellowknife would like to pursue the construction of this road, Mr. Speaker. The question is the availability of the land to construct this much needed strategic piece of road infrastructure. As I understand it, the Department of Transportation applied for this land to facilitate future airport initiatives, while at the same time working on a joint engineering study with the City. Where is this study?

In order for the City of Yellowknife to be able to afford the construction of the access road, it would need to sell lots along the route. This would be the only way the City could afford to undertake such an endeavour. Industrial lots are at a premium in Yellowknife. This initiative would certainly help open up additional land. Mr. Speaker, I would hope that this government is not getting in the way of the City of Yellowknife and their ability to get this initiative started. We must do whatever we can to help facilitate this project. I would like to mention that I will have questions at the appropriate time on the order paper for the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will remain consistent with the theme of my Member’s statements for this week, using wording that is complimentary to the federal budget address. Although the document acknowledges that much of the funding will not be administered through the Government of the Northwest Territories, this still gives my constituency much relief; the federal government will, once again, make a large investment in supporting a social economy in the North. It is nice to read that the federal budget provides new pilot program funding for the social economy and community economic development organizations for capacity building, financing and research. Although the plan for the projected $90 million in economic development funding has not been established, we feel that this investment is nothing short of a plus for northern economic development programs.

Mr. Speaker, it is encouraging, as well, to see that northern oil and gas development will also see an investment of $75 million over three years to increase federal and regional environmental assessment capacity and streamline the regulatory process. It is exceptionally beneficial for my region of the Northwest Territories as it provides for more research for work associated with development in the Mackenzie Delta/Beaufort Sea area.

Mr. Speaker, this funding announcement is crucial to the ongoing commitment to support the oil and gas activity in the North. I am pleased to have read the observations provided by the Minister of Finance this morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to provide this House with my early observations on the performance of our Premier and Cabinet Ministers. Not so many weeks ago, we gathered here to choose from amongst ourselves people to fill various positions of leadership in the 15th Assembly. Some of us are returning Members, but we also have six new Members; almost one-third of us brand new to the territorial level of government.

Over the past few days and weeks, we have gotten to know each other a little better. We have had a chance to observe old colleagues in new roles, such as yourself, Mr. Speaker, having had to make the transition to the Speaker’s role, which is a very unique role. Of the seven Cabinet Ministers, four have some experience in Cabinet and three do not; committee Chairs are new to the role; and, we have a new Clerk. We are all getting down to work, many with some degree of a learning curve but, for now, I am on the subject of the Cabinet.

Let’s start with the Premier. I know that when the economy is booming in Yellowknife, it might be hard to get excited about a vision for the whole Territories. I know we are planning to get together with other northern leaders in April but, with 50 participants and only a few days, the topics we explore will probably be fairly broad. I am personally disappointed that we didn’t hear a sessional statement as I think the people of the North are awaiting a clear message in terms of direction and goals. The Premier has to be our point man on that front.

We could say that this session was the Finance Minister’s dance because it was the budget session, but our people are waiting to see what kind of a government we are. They want to hear what we are collectively thinking, regardless of whether they agree or disagree. They want to hear something. It is not good enough to give our message once. We need to keep repeating it over and over.

A while back, I discussed with our mayor the subject of continuity in Cabinet assignments; for example, Mr. Miltenberger and Mr. Dent both have prior experience in their respective portfolios. I have no doubt that both are hard workers who keep themselves apprised of the issues in their departments. But, I must say, I don’t see a lot of enthusiasm there. Granted, our government isn’t flush with cash for new ideas and new initiatives at this moment, but I would really like to see a little more passion for the issues in their departments. I don’t want to feel like I had to wake someone from a deep sleep when I get up to ask questions in this House.

---Laughter

---Applause

If we were just looking for good managers, we would let the deputy ministers run the departments, but we are looking for leaders with ideas and passion for the challenges that are facing our constituents.

Mr. McLeod and Mr. Zoe haven’t floated enough material for me to form an opinion yet. They are getting up to speed with their departments, so I am very much looking forward to seeing what they are going to come out with.

To Mr. Bell and Mr. Roland, I give an early vote of confidence. I see new ideas…Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. To Mr. Bell and Mr. Roland, I give an early vote of confidence. I see new ideas, well-thought-out and well-spoken responses to Members’ issues. They have obviously taken the effort to become well informed of some very complex issues. I have seen good interaction with regular Members. They seem responsive and engaged. I applaud them for that.

Mr. Dent may be the longest-serving Member on the Cabinet side, but I am the longest-serving Member on this side of the House. I hope that a little constructive criticism in the form of observations on occasion will be received in the spirit in which it is offered. I don’t want this to be known as the “status-quo government.” The clock is ticking. Let us get a little fire going here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should take a few moments to offer some response to the federal budget delivered by the federal Minister of Finance, Hon. Ralph Goodale. Mr. Speaker, as is the case with all government budgets, the devil is always in the details; I do appreciate Mr. Roland for providing some and I look forward to getting more into the details in the days to come. Nevertheless, I do like what I am hearing in the budget.

Mr. Speaker, most importantly, I believe we can say that the North is now definitely on the radar screen of the people who control our purse strings in Ottawa, including Prime Minister Martin. He has been to the North, I know personally, a number of times in the last 10 years, in the time that he was working to become the Prime Minister. I believe that he is more aware of the northern issues than any other Prime Minister we have had. I really think that we have to take note of the way the aboriginal issues and northern issues now hold a prominent place in this budget which is seen by most analysts as a low-spending/status-quo budget

Mr. Speaker, I also believe that the credit should also go to the Premiers and the Finance Ministers of this Legislative Assembly, including the new Finance Minister Roland and Premier Handley, who also was the Minister of Finance under Premier Stephen Kakfwi for four years. We have worked hard to push our northern agenda into the forefront of the federal government. As our federal MP said in the media, in our business the work never ends.

Sometimes we forget to recognize when we win; I think this is definitely on the winning side. Mentioning Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew, I do want to recognize her involvement in this. She has spent 16 years in Ottawa educating all of the players about our economic, social and cultural potential. I do believe that she plays an important role in advancing our agenda.

I look forward to seeing more about how the $90 million in northern economic development, $75 million in oil and gas and extra money that we are going to get will have…what sort of detailed implication that is going to have. Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent to conclude.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I do understand that these monies that were announced by the federal government on economic development, oil and gas and many other issues are not coming directly to the GNWT, but they are monies that will come to the North. I do believe it is incumbent on this legislature and the Cabinet to jump on every penny coming to the North and find the leakages so that we maximize our benefit.

There were lots of other areas, such as student financial support, where we know our GNWT program is under great strain. Any additional assistance that the federal government provides would lessen the impact and the pressure on our system, such as the $50 million one-time expenditure that Minister Goodale had announced. I think it gives breathing space and I know that we are looking at a $20 million deficit cut in the next two years, but you never know. If we keep working as a group and the Minister of Finance and the Premier keep working with the federal government, we may be able to get a break on that. I urge the Legislature to build on what we heard yesterday and keep going and to advance our agenda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased last night to host an information session for Great Slave constituents and Yellowknife residents on the Tlicho land claim and self-government agreement. I was gratified to see on a cold evening, here in Yellowknife, an audience of about 30 people who came out representing a diversity of views and opinions. I would like to acknowledge the support, Mr. Speaker, of the Tlicho First Nation and James Wah-Shee, a former Member of this Assembly and now a senior advisor to his people, for his presentation and response to questions. As well, I would like to recognize the participation and involvement of the Honourable Joe Handley in his capacity as the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Staff from the ministry also came out and helped with the presentation. Our colleague, the Honourable Henry Zoe, the MLA for North Slave, was also present. I appreciate and thank them all for their contributions.

When the 14th Assembly passed the Tlicho Land Claim and Self-Government Agreement Act last October, there was concern among many about the awareness and lack of public input and the lack of time for a process that we would normally undertake to pass legislation. I undertook then to provide an opportunity for people to be better informed about the Tlicho agreement and the next two bills that this Assembly will be considering.

Mr. Speaker, these bills will propose the establishment of community governments in the four Tlicho communities, and the establishment of service agencies to help implement the agreement and provide for services by the Tlicho for their own people. The federal government also has to pass enabling legislation, which we learned is to be introduced in Parliament at the end of March. Hopefully, we will see passage before the anticipated federal election call.

Land claims and self-government are complex issues. They affect us all, Mr. Speaker. One of the points that was made at this meeting is that process is important. There are not easy or simple answers to many of the questions that were asked. We heard points of view and questions of the North Slave indigenous Metis, mining and resource development, the impact of boundary issues, community governments, land tenure and resource harvesting, to name a few of the issues. It was a lively exchange of views, Mr. Speaker. I should ask, at this time, for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent to conclude.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What we heard last night, Mr. Speaker, was a strong signal that Yellowknife residents are taking an active interest in what is going on with our neighbours to the north and the east. The feedback that I received was that the meeting was informative and generally well received. I hope that there will be more. Mr. Speaker, I am a supporter of the Tlicho people’s goals and dreams to have their own governing institutions and take charge of their own affairs, through the responsibilities that this government and this legislature has to pass these laws and implement the legislation. We have important work ahead of us. I look forward to seeing that being completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mahsi Cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to speak about debt-free payment and the Business Credit Corporation. I think we all recognize the importance of small business to our economic growth. I think we would all agree that this government should take every opportunity to support our northern entrepreneurs; to advocate for the small businesses.

Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I have a situation in one of my communities that I represent where several small businesses have borrowed money and, through no fault of their own, their business ventures have failed. They did have loans with the Business Credit Corporation. Recently, in our House, we debated extensively how we allowed a huge loan to lapse and grant the proponents a very lenient solution for their cash flow problems. Yet, here at the small business level, at the community level, we use the fullest extent of the law in our system to recover whatever we can from them. To coin the phrase, Mr. Speaker, we want their firstborn. I would just like to point out this glaring inconsistency in how we do business, and I want to ensure the public and my constituents that the government is indeed on notice, and we cannot govern with two standards. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, while we were grinding away in this House, with our lean, mean Minister of Health and Social Services -- listening to how he was going to meet the needs of the people of the Northwest Territories on what he was referring to as a shoestring budget of $250 million -- exciting things were happening in Ottawa. The federal Finance Minister was delivering the first sound financial management federal budget under Paul Martin. Although I didn’t get to listen to the budget address, I did take time last night to read through it. I don’t know if this budget was put together with the best interests of Canadians in mind or the sheer desperation of political salvation.

---Applause

At one point, Mr. Speaker, I was feeling really good as I imagined that it was our very own Finance Minister addressing the needs of our residents and communities and doling out the figures to address our priorities. Figures like the health, $34 billion over five years with an additional $2 billion...Learning? Millions. I couldn’t even add them up, Mr. Speaker. I never had time. Learning and commercialization, $280 million over two years. Communities, $7 billion into the hands of communities over the next 10 years. And then, Mr. Speaker, I woke up. But one line in that paragraph under municipalities did catch my attention, Mr. Speaker. It said, “This is real money for improved roads, clean air and expanded local services.”

Mr. Speaker, on my way to work this morning, I listened to the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew giving her take on the budget. She was saying that it is the best the North has ever had. Their territorial formula financing of $150 million, health support of $60 million, economic development of $90 million, northern oil and gas, $75 million, contaminated sites, $3.5 million…Mr. Speaker, I was excited once again in driving to work having listened to our MP on the radio, only to get to the Legislative Assembly and then get a briefing from our Finance Minister saying that actually we got $7.5 million and a forgiveness of $50 million over one year.

Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to speak negatively to the budget. I think there were some good things for the North, although it is not in our hands. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to close my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent to conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Although the money is not totally in our hands, there is a lot of money earmarked with DIAND for the North and the Northwest Territories. I think it is incumbent to us to keep the fire on DIAND to make sure that we get as many of those resources in the Northwest Territories as we possibly can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my previous statements I spoke about the seniors of the NWT and their ever-increasing role of importance in the success of many of the various programs and services of this government and of the many benefits to our society. Today, Mr. Speaker, I will speak for persons on the other end of the spectrum who cannot hear their concerns in this House yet.

Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to speak about our children and the three-year early childhood development framework for action funding which comes to an end March 31, 2004. Mr. Speaker, during the past few months I have received numerous calls and letters from my constituents of Lutselk’e and Deninu Kue regarding budget cuts in this area. I was very impressed with how the family literacy programs and the early childhood programs have positively impacted my constituents, and with the high level of concern my constituents show in not wanting these programs to be affected by the current budget restraints.

Programs such as these are important for helping our children develop their literacy and language skills, as well as developing healthy parent/child relationships. I have directed some related correspondence about these concerns to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and made him aware that I am fully in support of my constituents’ requests so that the budget cuts do not affect the literacy and early childhood development areas.

Mr. Speaker, I’ve also brought to the attention of the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment the speech from the Throne regarding the multilateral framework for early learning and childcare, and that the Minister acknowledged that his officials will continue to be in contact with their federal, provincial and territorial colleagues to monitor developments that will come out of this speech from the Throne. Mr. Speaker, I will later be asking the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to keep me informed as to how the changes in the literacy and early childhood programs after March 31st will affect my riding, the residents of the NWT and especially our most valued resources and our future, the children of the NWT, who should be provided and supported by this government with every opportunity to succeed. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind all our colleagues that this government would allow overspending on the North Slave Young Offenders Corrections Centre but, Mr. Speaker, we take no drastic actions to save legal aid. We’re going to allow it to grind into the ground. When will this government recognize and take their opportunities and waive those hands and say they need help? Because I’ll tell you, Mr. Speaker, this side of the Assembly will be there to help. We need them to lead by vision, show that they want to work with us because this side of the Assembly is willing to save legal aid.

---Applause

When will this government recognize that they’re in a pickle and we’re not going to force their hands? We want to work together on this issue? Mr. Speaker, a constituent of mine is now almost seven months without her very first appointment with legal aid. As I talked about earlier in previous statements, Mr. Speaker, this person has drastic issues about child support and maintenance, et cetera, so this person is under difficult circumstances, yet they’re still waiting for an appointment.

Money isn’t always the answer, but I can guarantee you that’s the first thing out of the mouth of the Minister. We need more money, cut it from another program, just point to which one you want to take. Well, you know what? I wouldn’t deny the fact that money is an issue and it is part of the solution, but we’re willing to go into debt over a corrections centre, yet we’re not willing to take drastic steps on saving programs that mean real value to our people.

Hear, Hear!

Mr. Speaker, you know, I’ll truthfully say I’m exhausted bringing this issue up every day, but thank goodness I’m one of the youngest Members because I’m going to keep going at this darn stamina for four years if this is what it takes to make this Minister listen to this issue. Using that stamina, and sometimes being referred to as stubborn, I’ll move forward and continue to press this Minister to start focusing on the issue of vision and leadership to address this.

One day, Mr. Speaker, as I’m approaching the closing statement, someday this Minister will echo I’m working on this problem. I’ve not heard that yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Allen on March 17, 2004 regarding the constitutional questions related to attaining provincehood.

Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Summit is a society established by aboriginal organizations to represent their interests in the Intergovernmental Forum process, including the negotiation of the transfer of lands and resources to the Northwest Territories. While the Aboriginal Summit does not have constitutional status, many of its member organizations have lands, resources and self-government agreements that do recognize and protect their rights under section 35 of the Constitution Act. Other member organizations of the summit are in the process of negotiating agreements that will address their aboriginal rights.

The Northwest Territories Act does not entrench the rights of aboriginal peoples. It sets out the powers of the Government of the Northwest Territories to ensure that the business of government is carried out in the NWT.

The GNWT is committed to working in partnership with the member organizations of the Aboriginal Summit to ensure their rights are respected as we continue the process of negotiating a lands and resources transfer agreement with the Government of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Minister’s statement today, I’d like to recognize the delegation from the American Gem Society who have come all the way from Las Vegas to visit us. They are: Charles Lacy, who is the chairman of the board for the AGS; Steven Viegler, the CEO; Peter Yantzer, the executive director. Also with them is Martin Irving, our director of diamond projects for RWED. I’d like to welcome you and wish you a productive visit.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Finance and it’s with regard to his statement this afternoon about the federal budget. Mr. Speaker, from the information that we have been provided with, it is my understanding that our government will be receiving $7.5 million next year extra, but there’s more in the next five years that amounts to about $74.4 million. On top of that, we’re getting a one-time break of $50 million, which by my calculations is about $124 million. Could the Minister advise as to whether or not this is new money? I understand, at least not the $50 million, but $74.4 million is already on the books. We’ve expected it to come, but it is growth money. It is new money that we’re getting from the federal government. Is that not true, Mr. Speaker?

Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 67-15(3): Highlights Of The Federal Budget

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the amount identified for territorial formula financing will be in the area of $7.6 million for the 2004-2005 year and that is built into our estimates. In fact, even for 2005-2006, the $9.2 million, those numbers are already built into our forecast of what we were working with as a result of our meeting with the Finance Minister in February. The $50 million that I referred to is due to putting off the rebasing exercise on our tax effort for the 2004-2005 year, which gives us a one-year amount. That’s not new money. It would have been taken out. They’ve agreed to put that process on hold and have our officials work on the tax-effort portion of our formula. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 67-15(3): Highlights Of The Federal Budget

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m trying to find a way to simplify these figures so the people who are listening to us can understand it better. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that this $50 million is money, call it a break or the federal government not asking us for something that they were going to ask us for, but in the end it’s going to have a positive impact on our deficit situation. My understanding is that while we were expecting a $47 million deficit for this fiscal year budget, with this new $50 million break, whether it’s on paper or real money, we’re not going to have to have that sort of deficit. So it is a positive in that aspect and my question, Mr. Speaker, I’ll just make short. The process that we have been engaged in over the last week has been painful. We’re trying to cut costs where we can and we’re told that it’s going to get worse in the next two years because we’ll have to cut $20 million extra over the next two years. Is there any way for us to get a little break on this and be able to do some things that we need to do now that we have extra money, at least on paper? Thank you.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 67-15(3): Highlights Of The Federal Budget

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, taking the example the federal government has set, this government intends to be prudent with the money that we do have and not going forward with the rebasing exercise gives us a $50 million impact for the 2004-2005 year and will be put towards our deficit. That’s our intention with that money. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 67-15(3): Highlights Of The Federal Budget

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure we’ll have more chance to debate on that one. I do understand that we need to be prudent and we don’t want to spend every penny that comes our way, but I think it is something that we need to talk more about.

Mr. Speaker, my next question has to do with the announcement of $400 million for immunization programs by the federal government. We in the NWT just did an immunization of youth and I believe we approved a supplementary budget or special warrant in the amount of about $800,000. Can I just ask the Minister what sort of impact this new money, I think it’s $525,000 for the GNWT, will have on that budget item? Thank you.