Debates of May 28, 2004 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, also the Minister responsible for the BCC and the Dev Corp. During the life of the last government, the issue and initiative concerning the amalgamation of these two arms of this government was front and centre. In the last six months, much talk took place in the House with regard to the development and the BDIC initiative. I'm just wondering, Mr. Speaker, why there has been a delay in the department giving this legislature an update on where this initiative is at. In the last six months when you mention the word BDIC you can hear a pin drop. There just hasn't been any information forthcoming from the government and I'm just wondering where it is at. Thank you.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 170-15(3): Business Development Investment Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I assure the Member we're not and I'm not potentially trying to withhold information from the Members. The Member is certainly right; within the life of the last assembly, at the end of the last assembly there was a legislative proposal and a bill drafted. There was insufficient time, unfortunately, for introduction and passage in the 14th Assembly. That does not mean that this discussion and this initiative about the need to better rationalize our resources in terms of how we deliver economic development programs and services is dead. We had the common ground strategy which talked about the need to do this. We had a business program review committee that made some recommendations. Those have been endorsed by a bankers' commission. So we are in discussions about those issues.

The delay, Mr. Speaker, has really been due to the fact that we've been tasked with analyzing and discussing potential reorganization options for the entire department. I have described them as being on a continuum. But it's all about most effective program and service delivery and what model will provide that. So we will come forward with that analysis, and really felt it was premature to talk about the BDIC or any other program delivery agency in isolation without this broader review. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 170-15(3): Business Development Investment Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister makes light of service delivery and ease of service for clients, and I'm just wondering during the life of the last government there was much discussion with regard to the location of the BDIC offices. I know the community of Hay River, and I am a champion of the town of Hay River and what they're trying to do there, but now they're referring to the town of Hay River as the business capital of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister what he will do to ensure that this important role and function of government stays in the capital city where there are accountants, there are many lawyers, banks and services to cater to business needs of this territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 170-15(3): Business Development Investment Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that if I get Cabinet support for a single agency, and I would indicate, Mr. Speaker, I still have to go forward to Cabinet with a proposal and receive an endorsement of that proposal prior to coming forward to committee, but if and when that happens, I am hoping that we can do something very quickly here. If and when that happens we will have, no doubt, a very good and I am sure heated exchange at the committee level about potential locations for a new agency. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 170-15(3): Business Development Investment Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I find it hard to believe that we're even considering potential locations for the new entity of BDIC. I think it belongs in one place, and that's in the city of Yellowknife. I'm just wondering --and I know my colleague, Mr. Braden, was speaking to this earlier in terms of getting information from the BCC and the current legislation making it impossible for an MLA to find out where the funds are being invested -- who is getting what money, under what terms and conditions. I'm wondering if the Minister believes that we can get some movement or a shift from this current practice of keeping the information secret, to a more full disclosure of accounting through the entity and if that's going to be part of this proposal that we'll be seeing hopefully soon, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 170-15(3): Business Development Investment Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's difficult for me, without the Cabinet endorsement of said proposal, to theoretically discuss and indicate exactly what that will include. No doubt, it will include a range of options and a range of suggestions. We have had some discussion in the past about our legislation being as open as possible, as transparent as possible. I have no doubt that that discussion will take place again and we will have that committee. Certainly I will indicate to the Members on the other side of the House that I will take their recommendations in this regard very seriously. So if it's important to them, I would suggest that it would be important to the government. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 170-15(3): Business Development Investment Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm just wondering when might the regular Members and the Governance and Economic Development committee, in particular, be able to receive a full and updated information package from the Minister with regard to the BDIC initiative. Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 170-15(3): Business Development Investment Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the next couple of weeks I will be before Cabinet and be making a presentation to Cabinet. Assuming endorsement of that presentation and assuming there aren't significant changes, I will very quickly then be able to come to committee. We will work with the Clerk's office to schedule something as soon as possible. I appreciate that summer is coming and it will be more and more difficult to get Members together, so I understand the urgency and will move quickly on this. Thank you.