Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many times I’ve given good statements without asking any questions. I’m not going to let that happen today.

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I’d like to direct my questions to the Minister of RWED. Last week when I asked him a question he said he wasn’t entertaining the thought of moving any positions up to Inuvik. I’d like to ask him if he has shut the door completely.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me first thank the Member for the statement that he made today in the House and past statements he’s made on this issue. I think it highlights the need and allows us to discuss the need for additional resources in terms of oil and gas readiness up and down the valley. I certainly won’t deny that there’s an immediate and urgent need in the Mackenzie Delta. Obviously the place for that most specifically would be in Inuvik, where it would be best suited. I certainly have committed to come forward with a strategy for resourcing oil and gas development. I’m looking to go to Cabinet very soon with a conceptual approach and then, subsequent to that, coming forward to the committee members to have a broader discussion around how we tackle this problem. I’m certainly looking forward to that dialogue and thank the Member for the encouragement in this area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for that. I don’t think it was additional resources we were looking for. We’re just asking if the Minister would consider transferring some of the positions. That way we’re not using any additional resources, we’ll just use what we already have. Will he look at that?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve talked about the nature in past questioning of our minerals, oil and gas unit here at headquarters. The reality is that we have three dedicated positions to oil and gas. One is a term position that is being used to help us navigate our way through the NEB intervention and process that’s underway and the other two are some that we have. One has been just recently filled, but the fact of the matter is we don’t have enough resources, we are spread too thin, we do need some coordination resources here at headquarters, notwithstanding the fact that we obviously need support on the ground in Inuvik. So my approach is going to be to come forward with a strategy to add to our resources, not to further stave off already very limited manpower in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I said that I heard the number of 20 positions before and in my statement I kind of accounted for six of them. Where are the other 14? Are they here in Yellowknife?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d have to go back and look at my earlier response, but in terms of people that have some aspect of their job related to the Mackenzie Valley pipeline or the Mackenzie gas project, I would think there are at least 20 people. We know we have regional petroleum advisors, one in Inuvik. We have other positions in RWED related to environment or business development that support a pipeline and support resource development. We know we have positions in MACA that work to develop community capacity. They are also being dispatched to help our effort to work on this file. Education has resources, I believe. I know that Housing is working on this file. So you could look at many of the people we have employed in our government and find aspects of their job where there are duties that are currently related to meeting our development pressures. That would go much higher than 20; the dedicated resources I’ve spoken to in terms of pipeline. The obvious seven positions that we have yet to fill in Hay River would be another contingent of staff that we have. So they are spread out throughout government and I’m certainly prepared to get those specific numbers for the Member and we have started that task and will be providing that information shortly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has said that he was looking at his options and he was going to be preparing a report. Would I be able to get a copy of this report? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I’ve indicated, it’s my intention to come to the Governance and Economic Development committee and, obviously, I think that committee will want to involve all Members in that and I can personally make sure that the Member has a copy of that work as we get there. As I’ve said, right now I’m hoping almost immediately to go to Cabinet with a conceptual approach and a strategy and as we firm this up in the coming weeks, I’ll sit down with the Member personally and we’ll certainly go to GED with this work. Thank you.