Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate you letting me get back into the queue here regarding the questions on what I was talking about and the cost of borrowing money, or basically being one who is owed money in accounts receivable.
In my last question I was trying to ask the Minister of Finance was the fact what is the amount of money owed to us, which was a rolling average at that time back in June of this year from the Government of Nunavut, over 180 days.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, with his extensive financial background, we go 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 days. What the information I have tells me is that at this point we only have about $2,000 owing that’s older than 90 days, that everything else is less than that, which means we’ve brought the numbers down and they are being paid in a much more timely way, less than 90 days.
I would also offer to the Member, if it would allow us to have a more informed discussion collectively here, that we could provide a detailed aged listing of all the accounts currently.
I do appreciate the Minister’s offering. In fact, we’ve already had the offer within the backrooms of our offices. I’m trying to get this information out into the public, and the only way I can do that is when I’m asking forthright questions, and I’m asking the Minister to be forthright back.
I understand what the amount is today. But I think it’s because we’ve brought some light onto the subject a couple months ago and now we’re getting current, and I can’t say that number out loud, because that number’s not public yet, and that’s a hard thing for me to ask. I’m asking the question what that amount was less than a few months ago, in terms of what the rolling average was.
As the Minister indicated, this was close to about $3 million. We are financing $3 million on a rolling average and that has a cost to it. All I’m trying to do is to show savings in design in how we can set up this account with the Government of Nunavut so that we’re more current, on a more current basis and not to overly extend the so-called 180 days that appear consistently through the program.
Again, Mr. Speaker, my question is: What was the amount in June of this year owed to the Government of the Northwest Territories from the Government of Nunavut at over 180 days?
I appreciate the Member’s sharp concern and clear eye on the public finances. I would point out that over time, given my time in this House, there was a time when that number was well over $8 million, and some of it seemed to be uncollectable. Now we’re talking about $2.93 million down to $2.39 million from June to currently, and most of it less than 90 days.
I don’t have that specific number that the Member asked me. I gave him the large number, the quantum number of $2.93 million as of June down to $2.39 million. I would have to commit to get the Member that other specific number that he has requested. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, it is fairly obvious that that number doesn’t want to be surfaced here today. I will leave it at that, Mr. Speaker. I have no further questions.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
