Yellowknife (Oct 08/03) - Cabinet has decided to comply with the idea of consensus government and will not proceed with controversial revisions to the Business Incentive Policy.

Minister responsible for resources, wildlife and economic development, Jim Antoine, told MLAs in February that no changes would be made to the GNWT Business Incentive Policy (BIP), established to give home-grown northern companies preferential treatment.

In mid-August, however, the minister held a press conference to announce the BIP was being revised.

Charles Dent, chair of the standing committee on accountability and oversight, said Antoine has deprived members of their right to debate significant change on the policy with regards to costs.

The revised BIP would have been effective Oct. 15., but Antoine said Cabinet listened to the concerns of the members who opposed the changes and said a decision was made to reflect the consensus approach of the House.

The BIP will be returned to its original form and the newly elected government will have the chance to revise the policy if necessary.

In other business at the NWT Legislature:

Minister of finance Joe Handley has announced that without stricter spending reforms, the GNWT may reach the federally imposed debt limit of $300 million by the end of 2006-07.

Handley said the GNWT expected better results concerning revenue gains achieved in 2003-04, but the government is determined to research the reasons behind this outcome.

The 2002-03 public accounts show a final operating deficit of $32.7 million. Handley said this is a significant improvement from what was originally forecast in February.

One land, many voices

Some changes to the GNWT Official Languages Act will be introduced in this final session of the legislature.

Although the special committee has requested significant changes to the Official Languages Act, Jake Ootes, minister responsible, said some recommendations may take months or years to accomplish, and cannot be implemented during the balance of the 14th Assembly.

Among the changes to be introduced in this session is the establishment of an aboriginal languages revitalization board, including representatives from all aboriginal language communities in the region.

As well, the bill will establish an official languages board, with representatives from all official language communities in the NWT.

Con workers need assistance

MLA Charles Dent has urged the minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation to consider assisting the residents of the Con Mine Trailer Park.

Dent said that a deal must be struck between Miramar, the GNWT and the City of Yellowknife to let residents purchase the land to stay where they are.

Many of the people are skilled trades workers, he said, who have lived in the North for an extended period of time.

If a significant number of laid-off miners were to leave the North, the impact would be felt by everybody because the GNWT's federal transfer payments (based on size of population) would suffer.

The Statistics Bureau estimates the closure of the mine will result in up to 350 job losses.