Debates of Dec. 1st, 1993

This is page numbers 313 - 362 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
World Aids Day
Negotiated Contracts
Progress With The Community Transfer Initiative
World Aids Day
First Annual Report Of Languages Commissioner
Development Of Healing Program By Dene Cultural Institute
Discovery Of Debris In Arctic Ocean
Inadequate Salaries Of Alcohol And Drug Workers
Privatization Of NWT Power Corporation
Return To Oral Question 84-12(4): Solvent Abuse Policy
Further Return To Oral Question 154-12(4): Status Of Arviat Search And Rescue
Lapsed Funds From Federal/nwt Languages Agreement
Reason For Lapsing Federal Funds For Languages
Equitable Allocation Of Languages Agreement Funds
Funds For Communities Under Languages Agreement
Reason For Turning Down Various Proposals For Funding Under Languages Agreement
Reason For Lapsed Funds Under Official Languages Agreement
Finance Officer Responsible For Official Languages
Date Premier Became Aware Of Lapsed Funds Under Languages Agreement
Lapsed Funds Under Languages Agreement
Lapsed Funds Under Languages Agreement
Emergency Back-up For Cape Dorset Power Plant
Financial Assistance To Family Of Missing Hunter From Arviat
Departmental Review Of Language Proposals
Statements In River Ridge Young Offender Facility Report
Actions To Address Low Wages Of Alcohol And Drug Workers
Written Question 22-12(4): Public Works Contracts
Written Question 23-12(4): Housing Contracts
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
Return To Written Question 21-12(4): Young Offenders' Facility Incident Reporting
Committee Report 9-12(4): Final Report On Arctic College
Item 11: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Adopt Recommendation 14
To Adopt Recommendation 15
To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates
Item 19: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 355

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is defeated.

---Defeated

Thank you. We are back on page 08-23, detail of capital, total activity, systems and communications, $210,000. Member for Thebacha.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, I don't believe that 08-22 has been agreed upon yet, and I have a few more questions regarding this particular page. If I don't get the appropriate answers, I will have to keep questioning.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you, Madam Marie-Jewell. You have the floor.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Last year's capital budget, which was presented to this House, had $520,000 in the revised forecast. The initial estimates were $180,000. I am trying to make a point, which I believe Members are failing to see. Initially, there was a request for $180,000. The revised forecast came in at $520,000. So, with that, you have about $340,000 more than we approved in last year's budget. This year, the Minister is coming in asking for $210,000, which is less than what he had spent last year. Last year was more than what he initially asked for. What I am trying to do is avoid a supp to come into this House. I want to know, why hasn't he planned accordingly with regard to this amount. I am not getting a proper answer from the Minister. All I am asking is for a proper answer. Thank you.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now, I understand the question. It is phrased a little differently than how the original questions were phrased. You were asking for me to justify the $150,000 and the $60,000, so that was what I was trying to do. Now, I understand your concern and I would have the same concern if I was in your place. Last year, we came forward with a supp for $340,000. That was a one-time supp to provide funding for mainframe modification in the regions. That was to redesign the software for the new POL systems, and the new health care systems, in the regions. We had to purchase that new hardware one time only, because of decentralization. In order for the regions to handle all this new information, we also had to purchase new printers for them to upgrade the system. It was a one-time cost. That was the only reason that we came forward with a supp. It was because of decentralization. Now we are back to normal and that is why we are now requesting $210,000. The previous year, I believe it was right around $190,000, before the $180,000. The $180,000 and the $340,000 add up to $520,000. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

I recognize that it's a one-time only cost, but within the budget...The Minister has said three times in this House that the communication equipment is now required to expand the network, and if it's required to expand the network, then why is this funding reduced again?

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's because it has been expanded with the $340,000 one-time supp that was passed by this House. That was the major infusion of money we needed to handle the decentralization initiative. We had to upgrade those computers in the region to handle all of those things. Now that work is done, we are back to normal now. We had to increase the capacity of the computers in headquarters to handle that. Thank you.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

To the detail of the page. Member for Thebacha.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Can I ask the Minister what type of equipment he plans to buy for $60,000, that systems and computer technicians need to install this equipment to support the network's operation? What type of equipment is he looking at for $60,000?

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you, Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This capital funding will be used to purchase and install data communications equipment that is required to expand the network to meet GNWT requirements. That's to meet the requirements of the expanded network of the regions. We also have to meet those requirements at headquarters. As part of that $60,000, the technicians need to install the equipment that is supporting the network operators. They use specialized instruments. Thank you.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

What type of data equipment, Mr. Chairman?

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't have the name of the computer equipment. I would have to get that from the computer technician and he has gone to Rankin Inlet. So he is not available. Even my deputy minister would not have that information, I have asked for it already.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. The Member for Thebacha.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Is the Minister looking at only one type of computer equipment or various types? Is he only looking at Hewlett Packard, IBM, Apple, MacIntosh? What type?

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. The honourable Minister.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I don't know the name of the computer equipment.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. The Member for Thebacha.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, I recognize this government's computer equipment is not consistent. Not only throughout the government, but throughout departments. Can the Minister advise this House as to the expansion of the mainframe system that he's put in place? What type of system has he put in place? Has it been a consistent system and what type?

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

The Chair Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 46-12(4): To Delete Funding Under Activity Systems And Communications On Page 08-23 Of Capital Estimates, Defeated
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 356

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The system that is in place, the mainframe computers, is a system that is compatible with the regions, so they can communicate.