Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

March
9
2005
Day
52
Speaker
Paul Delorey
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 19: Appropriation Act, 2005-2006
Bill 21: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Chairperson’s Ruling
Committee Motion 34-15(3) To Amend Clause 5 Of Bill 17: Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 35-15(3) To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 36-15(3) To Amend Clause 8 Of Bill 17, Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 37-15(3) To Amend Clause 9 Of Bill 17, Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 38-15(3) To Amend Clause 10 Of Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 39-15(3) To Amend Bill 17 To Come Into Force On The Day The Civil Marriage Act (Canada) Comes Into Force, Withdrawn
Committee Motion 40-15(3) To Amend Bill 17 To Come Into Force On The Earlier Of The Prorogation Of The First Session Of The 38th Parliament And The Coming Into Force Of The Civil Marriage Act (Canada), Defeated
Committee Motion 41-15(3) To Add $311,000 To The Highways Activity In Bill 20, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2004-2005, Carried
Committee Motion 42-15(3) To Amend The Schedule To Bill 20 To Increase The Supplementary Appropriation By $311,000, Carried
Member’s Statement On 50th Annual Caribou Carnival
Member’s Statement On Beverage Container Recovery Program
Member’s Statement On Child Poverty
Member’s Statement On Consolidation Of GNWT Human Resource Functions
Member’s Statement On Housing Issues In Nahendeh
Member’s Statement On Need For Residential Treatment Centres
Member’s Statement On New Courthouse In Yellowknife
Member’s Statement On Oil And Gas Development Positions
Member’s Statement On Support For Truancy Reduction Measures
Member’s Statement On Transportation Services For Elders And Frontline Workers
Minister’s Statement 108-15(3): MACA/RCMP Co-location Initiative
Motion 32-15(3): Appointment To The Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight
Motion 33-15(3): Appointment To The Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board
Petition 4-15(3): Addictions Treatment Centres In The NWT
Point Of Order
Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites
Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee
Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process
Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The NWT
Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation
Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The NWT
Question 578-15(3): Factors Of Incarceration
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential
Question 582-15(3): New Roads In The Sahtu
Tabled Document 122-15(3): Public Utilities Board 2004 Annual Report
Tabled Document 123-15(3): “Act Now” - Report Of The WCB Legislative Review Panel
Written Question 81-15(3): Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program
Written Question 82-15(3): New Courthouse In Yellowknife
Written Question 83-15(3): Management Assignment Program
Written Question 84-15(3): Rental Costs
Statements

Member’s Statement On Oil And Gas Development Positions

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will be speaking once again on my concern with this government's lack of dedicated oil and gas staff in the regions, with the major oil and gas reserves and exploration activity. On Monday, in response to a question by my colleague Mr. Ramsay, the Minister of RWED said that he agreed that there are probably over 20 positions government-wide dedicated to the oil and gas industry. I am looking forward to seeing the actual numbers from the Minister some time soon.

Where are these 20 or more positions, Mr. Speaker? Certainly not in the Beaufort-Delta which has 85 percent of the gas reserves, not to mention the oil reserves. According to the National Energy Board, we have six trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and another 55 trillion cubic feet of potential reserves. We have a whole two GNWT positions dedicated to oil and gas.

The positions are not in the Sahtu, which has 85 percent of the oil reserves, substantial gas reserves and already has a pipeline going south. That is worth two positions. Not in Nahendeh either, which has a large share of the gas reserves and sits right in the middle of the proposed pipeline route. I believe they have two positions, only one of which is filled.

Mr. Speaker, we are talking about six positions out of at least 20 government-wide and three regions that probably have 99.9 percent of the reserves. Why, Mr. Speaker, does this government have only six positions in the areas most affected by oil and gas development?

The Minister of RWED has stated that he is not entertaining the thought of moving any oil and gas positions to the Beaufort-Delta. I hope he has not completely shut the door on the idea. I understand the decisions being made to have the Mackenzie Valley pipeline office in Hay River, but there are other positions out there. He still hasn’t convinced me that the petroleum-related positions from the minerals oil and gas division shouldn’t be moved to Inuvik. We would be happy to take the director too, if that is a concern? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Hear! Hear!