Michael Miltenberger

Madam Chair, may I also ask the Minister of MACA to elaborate further on that particular point, please?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to update the Members on our fiscal situation.

I tabled the first budget of the 17th Legislative Assembly in May, just five short months ago. Our commitment to protect programs and services has not changed, and our strategy of limiting new expenditure growth to ensure surpluses has become even more important as global economic instability persists.

While our economy is recovering slowly from the global slowdown, we remain vulnerable to uncertain economic conditions. Statistics Canada’s latest estimate shows a 2 percent decline in the NWT...

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...

The number provided to the Member in June was $2.93 million. The number I just gave to him now has been whittled down to $2.39 million.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we last discussed this issue there was about $2.93 million that was owing to us. That number has been now whittled down to $2.39 million.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled NWT Capital Estimates 2013-2014, and further to my Return to Written Question 9-17(3), I wish to table the following document entitled Department Small Capital Projects. Thank you.

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.

The information that I have is that currently there’s only $2,000 owing that’s over 90 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the representative of the Aboriginal Head Start for Fort Smith. Aboriginal Head Start is a tremendous program. Both my grandchildren went there. I’d like to recognize Ms. Janine Rommel.

As well, my friend and colleague, a good old Fort Smith boy who moved to Yellowknife, the Honourable Tony Whitford, and my former colleague, as well, who I had coffee with at 7:30 this morning, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Traditional Knowledge Annual Report 2011-2012.” Thank you.