Debates of October 21, 2004 (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Premier. Back in March when I brought up the issue of a permanent trust fund being established in the Northwest Territories to benefit all northerners, the Premier stated at that time that he would have a discussion with Ottawa and with the Prime Minister in terms of the establishment of that trust fund. I’m just wondering, Mr. Speaker, if that conversation has taken place and maybe the Premier could let us know how that went. Thank you.

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

Return To Question 273-15(3): Permanent Trust Fund For Northerners

Mr. Speaker, as recently as this morning I raised that issue with our MP and only to float the idea with her that we have to have some benefit from resources. I’ve also talked to the Prime Minister about that, as well, saying look, one of our mines is half way through its life. We still haven’t done anything here. So yes, I have raised that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 273-15(3): Permanent Trust Fund For Northerners

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleague mentioned the fact that the Premier is on the verge of going to Ottawa next week, I do believe, and I’m just wondering if he can indeed bring up the issue of the trust fund again with the Prime Minister. I see the establishment of this trust fund as being beneficial to both the aboriginal leaders and governments in the Northwest Territories and our government, Mr. Speaker, because it should happen. We need to get that done. I’m just wondering if the government has any idea of what types of revenues we’re losing on a daily, monthly and yearly basis, even on the Norman Wells pipeline into northern Alberta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Further Return To Question 273-15(3): Permanent Trust Fund For Northerners

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will raise that issue. I am leaving for Ottawa tomorrow morning. I have a meeting on…Sorry; I’m leaving on Saturday morning. Correction. I have a meeting with the Prime Minister, with Minister Blondin-Andrew, Minister Scott and others at 11:00 on Sunday to begin the discussions and I will raise this issue again for sure. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have an up-to-date number on resource revenues that we’re losing right now, but I can tell you that in the 2002-03 public accounts showed that DIAND’s Northern Affairs program collected $38.7 million in mining and oil and gas royalties and that was before prices had gone up and there’s been an increase in mining activity and an increase in oil activity since. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.