Joe Handley

Mr. Speaker, I’m not really sure what starving stability is or isn’t.

---Laughter

But, Mr. Speaker, with regard to the issue of multi-year funding, our government has and continues to negotiate for multi-year funding with non-government organizations. We have done that, we’re doing it and we’ll continue to do that. Mr. Speaker, I have to say though that every multi-year funding agreement is subject to the appropriation being passed in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chairman, no there won’t be a change. The GNWT is obligated to provide the funding at the same level as we have in the past. The agency is subject to the same reporting requirements as any of our boards and agencies under the Financial Administration Act. So I think the accountability is going to remain the same as it is now, just through a new agency. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll answer the last question. Yes, it is the policy of our government to support non-government organizations within the mandate that we give them. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, there won’t be any immediate noticeable change that we will see in terms of the program delivery and the quality of the service. I think it will continue for the time being. The Tlicho government has agreed that they do not want to take over new responsibilities or draw down any responsibilities for 10 years. So it will continue much as it is now. The biggest change that will result from this legislation will be the new agency. There will be some consequential amendments to some of our legislation, the Financial Administration Act, Public Service Act, in the access to...

Mr. Chairman, the Education Act provides, as a provision, that the language of instruction can be in an aboriginal language; in Tlicho, in this case, from kindergarten to Grade 3. If the Tlicho wanted to go beyond that, then they would have to consult with us and we would attempt to negotiate an arrangement that is fair to everyone. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, the new agency being created through this legislation basically takes on the same services and programs that are offered through the Dogrib Community Services Board.

Mr. Chairman, as an agency it has, through the Tlicho government, the authority to be able to make changes to any laws with regard to the mandate of the agency. Before they would make those changes, they would have to consult with the GNWT. They would also have to assume responsibility for any incremental costs. If for some reason GNWT considered that the proposed law would make it difficult for us to operate, we...

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Everybody wants stabilized funding. Right from the pipeline companies, to our government, to the federal government; everybody does.

That is a reality that we all have to deal with. We all have to be accountable for our money. I will say it again, Mr. Speaker. If a specific agency, Mr. Speaker, has a problem with filling out applications year after year, they should talk to the appropriate Minister, whichever one is responsible for that mandate, and talk about multi-year funding. We have multi-year funding agreements in place, we have some that are under...

Mr. Speaker, any NGO or municipal government or anyone who wants to enter into a multi-year funding arrangement with our government would have to approach the appropriate Minister. If it is a municipality, you would go to the Minister of MACA; if it’s one that’s doing work on the social agenda areas, you would go to Education or Justice or Housing or whoever is appropriate. Mr. Speaker, they would have to come back to whichever Minister is responsible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, even if non-government organizations have multi-year funding agreements, they still have to annually account for the money that has been given to them. We still have the right and responsibility to change the mandate or change the contract that we may have with them. Mr. Speaker, this House votes the budget every year. We can’t have multi-year agreements that go beyond the authority of this House. So, Mr. Speaker, they will continue to have to account for the money. If some NGOs are frustrated because they are applying for money every year, then they should talk to the...