Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier. I wanted to ask the Premier, does the Government of the Northwest Territories have a list of priority projects for the Building Canada Fund? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 83-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What we’ve done to date is work with the federal government on a framework agreement, as Minister McLeod has stated, and working with their criteria, requested departments to look at the plans that we have in place -- that is the 2007-2008 infrastructure plan -- and see what we can work with in looking at our existing financial situation. It has a role in that. We’ve done that work and we’re prepared to work with the federal government in coming up with a couple of key initiatives early on and then work through our normal business planning process. So is there a list? The list would be our starting point as the capital plan for this government that’s already out there. That’s our starting point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 83-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That was quite a lengthy answer for a yes or no question. Again, I’d like to ask the Premier what…Okay, first I’m going to ask him again: Is there a list of priority projects for the Building Canada Fund? Yes or no.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 83-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Cabinet has not made a decision on a priority list that we’re prepared to present to the federal government. We’ve had discussions within departments and, as I’ve laid out, we’ve worked from the information we have available and that’s public to date. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 83-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Assuming that there’s no list, how do Regular Members have any input into the decisions on what priorities are on that list, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 83-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the lead Minister on the Building Canada Fund has prepared the information for Members and had discussions with them, we’re going to work with our existing arrangement that we have in place. For example, right now the federal government is looking for an announcement, an assignment of a framework that would highlight the first project or two that we’d be prepared to move on, meeting their criteria. We would then, because the money is a seven-year funding agreement, sit down with Members and, as highlighted, we’re intending to go forward with an interim appropriation that would have the full capital plan attached to that because of the timing of contracts that need to be let. Through that process, we’re ready to sit down with Members and go through that list of what can be further added to the Building Fund dollars that would be available to us. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 83-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last government had a history of avoidance and not including Regular Members in the decision-making process. I’d like to ask the Premier how is this government going to be different and how are they going to engage Regular Members in the decision-making process so that consensus government and the spirit and intent of consensus government is not continually eroded? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 83-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the 16th Legislative Assembly, we’ve already started, I think, a cooperative arrangement. We’ve gone forward, a meeting already has been held on this issue. A decision has not been made by Cabinet. I am prepared to sit down with Members again. As I already laid out, the interim appropriation, the business planning, no decisions have been made in that area. We have to set the priorities, but we are going to have to work within a fiscal environment that is going to squeeze us in a number of areas. Infrastructure is going to be one of those large areas. So that is where we are at, at this point. I am prepared to continue to work with Members, but at some point, so we don’t lose a year on some of these projects or potential projects, we are going to have to make a decision. I trust that is what Members have given us authority in. As we have our discussions, at some point a decision is made and we will need to proceed. Hopefully we will have enough support that we will proceed on a number of projects. Thank you.