Sick and tired of threats
Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services
NNSL (Jun 05/98) - Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen is growing tired of threats from Ministers.
On Monday, she made a point of order in the legislature after unrecorded comments were made by cabinet ministers about cuts to manufacturing in her riding.
"Last week in this house when I spoke about the need for value for money audits so we can identify where this government is perhaps wasting money, Mr. Todd had no sooner sat down, his microphone went out and he said let us pull those contracts in Hay River that we are paying a premium on," said Groenewegen.
"Just now Mr. Steen referred to business incentives and at the end of his response to the motion again Mr. Steen sat down and without the benefit of a lit-up microphone, Mr. Arlooktoo said, 'Manufacturing.'"
Nunakput MLA Vince Steen had suggested that the executive council of cabinet start looking at cutting some subsidies in order to have funding available for education. A good start would be the Business Incentive Policy, he added.
Groenewegen said a majority of manufacturing in the NWT takes place in Hay River.
"I am getting sick and tired of these threats that every time we talk about saving money somebody sitting at this side of the table wants to talk about Hay River and wants to talk about manufacturing. That is my point or order."
Speaker Sam Gargan said any unrecorded conversations are not within knowledge of the house and ruled Groenewegen's point of order out of order.
Priorities for division
Western caucus members have outlined five priorities to prepare for division.
The caucus made the announcement on Wednesday.
"It is important that Western MLAs and cabinet work closely together in the coming months to ensure that the territory gets off to a sound and stable start," said caucus chair Michael Miltenberger.
The priorities are:
- The development and delivery of effective and efficient education
and training programs;
- Improving social conditions such as addressing the need for more
housing and better health care;
- Improve and create economic and investment opportunities;
- Devolution of remaining powers, including lands and resources
from the federal government;
- Improving co-operation, communication and partnerships among public and aboriginal governments.
Road work needed
Yellowknife North MLA Roy Erasmus is concerned about the high volume of traffic on the Ingraham Trail.
"Over the course of the last year there have been a few accidents on that road and fuel spills," said Erasmus.
He asked Transportation Minister Jim Antoine if anything is in the works to widen the roads or straighten them out to make it safer to drive.
"About $500,000 was approved for this fiscal year.... Construction on the specific section of highway to improve the alignment and to deal with the narrowness of the road at kilometre 6.5 will begin this fall," Antoine said.
Regular maintenance and brush clearing along the road will continue this summer.
