Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 1991-92
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 1991-92
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Does the committee agree that we deal with Bill 14, Supplementary Appropriation, Act No. 3, 1992-93? Agreed?
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 1991-92
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 1991-92
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Mr. Minister, introductory remarks.
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Introductory Remarks
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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John Pollard Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In case you missed it the first time, Mr. Chairman, Supplementary Appropriation, No. 3, requests authority for net additional appropriations of $10.277 million. The supplementary appropriation consists of additional appropriations in the amount of $9.025 million in operations and maintenance, and additional capital appropriations in the amount of $1.252 million. The appropriations include the initial requirements for decentralization initiatives that are currently under way. The appropriations are within the estimated supplementary requirements for the year as shown in the summary of projected revenues and expenditures. Mr. Chairman, as I said before, I am prepared to review the details of the supplementary funding request and either answer Members' questions or refer them to the Minister responsible. I apologize for the initial confusion, Mr. Chairman.
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Mr. Antoine, from the Standing Committee on Finance.
Standing Committee On Finance Comments
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Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Finance reviewed Bill 14, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93, during its meetings on December 2 and 7, 1992. The committee was pleased that the Minister of Finance and his officials were able to meet with us to answer some of our questions. Mr. Chairman, a large portion of this supplementary appropriation pertains to the decentralization initiative announced by the Government Leader during the June session of this House.
Several Members of the committee have expressed concerns about the entire decentralization initiative. In particular, they are concerned that there has not been an adequate review of the initiative by this Assembly. As a result, the Members of the committee may have additional comments concerning funding for the decentralization initiative as they arise. In addition, Mr. Chairman, several Members of the committee have concerns about the process used to provide funding for salary increases for community based alcohol and drug programs.
As the Members are aware, increases in salaries for these workers were first recommended by the Standing Committee on Finance during its review of the 1992-93 Main Estimates. The Members of the committee are concerned that this funding may be insufficient to adequately compensate these essential workers. The Members of the committee would have preferred a more thorough review of these increases prior to the introduction of this supplementary appropriation.
Mr. Chairman, due to the limited time the committee had to review this bill, several specific concerns remain outstanding. Members of the committee may have questions on the specifics of the bill during the line by line review of this bill today.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee agreed at its meeting on December 7, 1992, to refer this bill to the Committee of the Whole for discussion. Mahsi.
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Are there any general comments? Thank you, Mr. Zoe, general comments.
General Comments
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Henry Zoe North Slave
Mr. Chairman, my colleague, Mr. Antoine, has outlined in the Standing Committee on Finance review how the Members expressed concerns on certain initiatives this government is undertaking. I, for one, Mr. Chairman, raised those concerns during our review of the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3. Mr. Chairman, the issue that I am raising pertains to the initiative that the government is taking in the area of decentralization. The supp. is asking us for money to give to the government so that it can implement its initiative. To date, the House has never seen the implementation plan of the government. Before I approve any money, I would like to see a plan which indicates how they are going to achieve the initiative of the government. How the government compiled the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, is interesting, Mr. Chairman. It makes suggestions within the bill that they know that a number of Members would be raising certain issues pertaining to decentralization. On the other hand, they are also asking for money for the drug and alcohol program which is also in the details. I cannot say no to this particular bill because there are some good initiatives in there. For instance, the government is asking for money for the drug and alcohol program.
On the other hand, they are also asking for money for decentralization, which I have problems with. A lot of Members on this side of the House have raised those concerns. Mr. Chairman, I would like to see that particular implementation plan first, and I said that earlier on when I spoke to the principle of the bill. To date, the government has never produced, in this House, its implementation plan. I cannot give a blank cheque without knowing how this program is going to be implemented. Those are the concerns that I am raising, Mr. Chairman. I am sure that many Members on this side of the House have concerns pertaining particularly to the decentralization initiative of this government.
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Are there any general comments? Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With regard to this particular bill, I fully support of the intention of the government to decentralize. I find that the substantiation is justified. I am not stating that just because half of the Arctic College headquarters is going to Fort Smith. I know that the whole Arctic College headquarters once belonged in Fort Smith. It is actually going back where it rightfully belongs. I believe that the decentralization concept is something that this government has to look at because many communities can do these program deliveries effectively without hindering the program. They can be delivered out of other communities just as effectively as they can out of Yellowknife. I recognize the effects it would have on the city of Yellowknife. However, most of these positions are not totally filled. Some of them are vacant positions. It also gives the ones who do have to move, an opportunity to deliver their programs in another area. I recognize that a lot of the funding in this supp is for implementation. I do not believe that we can really sit around and talk about their plan and implementation funding or the reason for it. I believe it is a political decision that the Cabinet made, and as a Member, I fully support their initiative. In order to carry out the initiative, they need the funds. I fully support the supp. Thank you.
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Are there any other general comments? What is the wish of the committee? Shall we go into detail? Agreed?
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Bill 14, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93. Does the committee agree that we go into detail? Agreed?
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Legislative Assembly
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. We begin on page six. Legislative Assembly, operations and maintenance, not previously authorized, $966,000. Agreed?
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Total department, $966,000. Agreed?
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Executive
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Executive, operations and maintenance, Ministers' offices, not previously authorized, $57,000. Agreed?
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Intergovernmental And Aboriginal Affairs
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Ministry of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, not previously authorized $172,000. Agreed?
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93
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The Chair Richard Nerysoo
Thank you. Total department, not previously authorized $229,000. Agreed?
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