Debates of May 17, 2007 (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the project of the magnitude of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline continues to be a topic. Now I hear that there is a meeting going on in Ottawa. I would like to direct my questions today to Premier Handley. I would like to ask the Premier if he or the government was aware that this meeting was going on in Ottawa between the proponents and the Government of Canada. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 109-15(6): Role Of GNWT In Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Projects

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say we have gone, again, a long way to saying to the federal government and the proponent that we want to be in the room when there are discussions going on, the results of which we may inherit at some point. Mr. Speaker, we were not aware that this meeting was happening, although we knew generally that these kind of discussions would be taking place at some time in the future. But in reference to the meeting that took place, we did not know of that specific meeting, Mr. Speaker. That is of concern to us.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 109-15(6): Role Of GNWT In Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Projects

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for that. I hope it doesn’t go to show the importance Ottawa places on our government or lack of it. I would like to ask the Premier if he’s communicated to them his disappointment that we are not in the room at the meeting. On something that is so important to the Northwest Territories, we have to be there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 109-15(6): Role Of GNWT In Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Projects

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our officials have insisted we be there. This one happened, we didn’t know and, as I say, that is of great concern to us. Assuming we have devolution and resource revenue sharing at some point, this is a concern to the people of the North.

Mr. Speaker, in answer to the question, yes, either I will or the Minister of Finance will again say to Ottawa that you can’t just give us lip service on this, you have to follow through and let us know these meetings are there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 109-15(6): Role Of GNWT In Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Projects

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the meeting, my understanding, is on Ottawa being offered equity into the project. I would like to ask the Premier if this government would be able to, if offered, take an equity share in the pipeline. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 109-15(6): Role Of GNWT In Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Projects

Mr. Speaker, if we had a nice big fat bank account, we might consider that as being a good investment. Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, we don’t have the resources to be able to buy into this multi-billion dollar project. Mr. Speaker, our position has been to support the Aboriginal Pipeline Group and others in the North to get an ownership. I hope the federal government, if they are considering an equity position, that they consider doing that on behalf of people in the North. The Aboriginal Pipeline Group, to me, would be the logical choice at this point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 109-15(6): Role Of GNWT In Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Projects

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have commended the good work of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group because they are trying to ensure that we get some benefit out of this pipeline that’s going right through our territory. I would like to ask the Premier, he said we don’t have the resources. We have the resources, the only thing is Ottawa has got them in their bank account and it’s our money. Would the Premier ask the Government of Canada for a 50 percent equity that they are trying to get into the pipeline with our money? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 109-15(6): Role Of GNWT In Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Projects

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly why we have to conclude a resource revenue sharing deal.

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Mr. Speaker, it is our money that is coming out of here. The federal government has it and now are looking at an equity position with our money. That’s why, Mr. Speaker, short of having a deal, we are sitting here being frustrated because other people are talking about how to spend our money.

Mr. Speaker, I would not want our government to be in a position where it’s competing with the Aboriginal Pipeline Group or aboriginal business or any business in the North. So our first priority, Mr. Speaker, would be to have northern businesses own the equity shares of these kind of projects rather than us as a government get into it. Who knows how the negotiations will go? It may come to that at some point where we own a share. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.