Debates of October 18, 2006 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question at this time is for Mr. Handley as the Minister responsible for the Executive and it relates to the broad swath of cuts to numerous programs that the federal government announced late last month. The question I would like to ask, Mr. Speaker, is, from a government-wide perspective, what is the overall impact on our territory of the federal cuts on programs and services here in the NWT, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 122-15(5): Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Northern Programs And Services

Mr. Speaker, I don’t have an exact number. We have done an analysis across our departments and it is well in excess of $1 million. Mr. Speaker, I might be able to, in a minute, give you a detailed breakdown by department. The biggest one, of course, is with literacy as the one that affects us most, and the Status of Women who would be the other group who would also face a fairly big…and volunteerism. Mr. Speaker, off the top of my head, I don’t have the exact amount. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 122-15(5): Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Northern Programs And Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The quantitative assessment of how much and where is something I would pursue a bit later on, in fact in a written question. I guess I am seeking more an assessment of the qualitative impact on us. Is this something that through the Executive office, through other government ministries, what is the depth of hurt, of impact, of deterioration in our communities and in our programs because of these cuts, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 122-15(5): Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Northern Programs And Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, our Financial Management Board Secretariat has done that kind of analysis department by department. As I said earlier, the biggest cut certainly for any department or program is with the literacy programs. That is a major concern to us.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 122-15(5): Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Northern Programs And Services

Mr. Speaker, what steps has the government taken to tell Ottawa how angry we are with their actions?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 122-15(5): Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Northern Programs And Services

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dent has written a letter to the Minister responsible for literacy programs. That has gone out. Mr. Dent is planning to attend a meeting next week on Tuesday with the same Minister on this issue. A letter is being drafted from myself to the Prime Minister on this issue as well as other issues, and this is certainly being a core piece of that letter. That letter should be going out of here very shortly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 122-15(5): Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Northern Programs And Services

Mr. Speaker, I hope the Premier doesn’t hold back the horses in expressing just how upset and angry, as I said earlier, we are, and by we I mean the collective community on the impact of these. Mr. Speaker, my final question is one of the steps as it relates to the tourism impact that I addressed earlier today and the requirement for new legislation to be passed forward in Ottawa. Will our government formally protest the passage of legislation regarding the GST and the Visitors’ Rebate Program, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 122-15(5): Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Northern Programs And Services

Mr. Speaker, certainly the tourist rebate issue is one that will be raised for sure. On the GST, I don’t know if we have raised that one, but I will certainly take it under consideration. Thank you.