I move that this committee recommends that merit pay increases should only occur for superior performance.
Debates of Feb. 22nd, 1993
Topics
Committee Motion 68-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 1
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Committee Motion 68-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 1
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
The motion is in order. To do motion.
Committee Motion 68-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 1
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 68-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 1
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
Question has been called. AD those in favour of the motion? Thank you. Do we have a quorum here? Do we have anyone who is good at mathematics? I am not.
Committee Motion 68-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 1
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
Some Hon. Members
There is a quorum.
Committee Motion 68-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 1
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
All those opposed? The motion is carried.
--- Carried
Proceed, Mr. Antoine.
Committee Motion 69-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 2
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you. I move that this committee recommends that the Financial Management Board set and monitor annual affirmative action goals.
Committee Motion 69-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 2
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 69-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 2
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 69-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 2
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
--- Carried
Proceed.
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
I move that this committee recommends that the government publicize, on a timely basis, the proposed five year capital plan and contract listing, separately listing southern contracts.
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Antoine. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
--- Carried
Mr. Antoine, general comments on Bill 17.
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Mr. Chairman, that concludes the Standing Committee on Finance's general comments.
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
Since there are no other general comments on the bill, the government will proceed with the departments. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, the first department will be the Department of Finance, if Members are agreed in that regard.
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 546
The Chair John Ningark
Does the committee agree we will go with the departmental order of appearance of Bill 17 as written in your paper? Agreed?
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 547
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
--- Agreed
Thank you. Proceed, Mr. Minister.
Department Of Finance, Introductory Remarks
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 547
John Pollard Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the committee. Mr. Chairman, the Department of Finance's 1993-94 expenditure budget will increase by $265,000 and three person years over the 1992-93 Main Estimates.
In total, revenues budgeted in the Department of Finance, are expected to increase by $42.7 million. Of this, $32.1 million is from the expected increase in the grant from Canada; $1.4 million is from the expected increase in taxation revenue; $1.6 million is the expected increase in interest income; and, $8.2 million is from the payroll tax scheduled to be implemented on July 1, 1993.
Partially offsetting these revenues is the estimated administration cost of the payroll tax of $322,000 and three person years.
Budgeted expenditures and revenues from the Department of Finance have been decreased equally by $589,000 to reflect the reduced interest expense resulting from the redemption of $5.35 million of Northwest Territories Power Corporation bonds and a corresponding reduction in interest revenue from the power corporation.
The 1993-94 budget does not include a provision for interest on short-term borrowing. A supplementary estimate will be submitted later in the fiscal year when the short-term borrowing requirements and related interest expenses can be more accurately estimated.
Effective July 1, 1993, power utility costs will be paid by GNWT staff located in staff housing. It is hoped that this measure will encourage tenants to be more prudent in their use of electricity. As a result of implementing a user-pay policy, tenants of staff housing will become eligible for the government subsidy on domestic power. The anticipated increase in subsidy costs is included in the department's budget in the approximate amount of $1 million. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes my opening remarks
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 547
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Minister of Finance. Do we have any opening remarks by the Standing Committee on Finance? Mr. Dent.
Comments By Standing Committee On Finance
Committee Motion 70-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 547
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be presenting Standing Committee on Finance general comments on the Department of Finance. Mr. Chairman, the initiatives being undertaken by the Minister of Finance to deal with current financial constraints, such as the expenditure management program, are very good. However, it should not require facing a deficit to force government to take these measures. The committee could not help buy wonder what previous governments were doing. We have lost opportunities that have cost us dearly.
These initiatives should be a way of life for everyone. Everyone including Ministers, staff, boards and agencies should be working continuously to improve in all areas.
This committee has previously made recommendations aimed at making the managing for results system work; developing a proper human resources management system; and, improving productivity and measuring results. We have not seen evidence in the main estimates that these recommendations have been implemented. We were very concerned when the government admitted, in its responses to the 1992-93 SCOF recommendations, which are in appendix three, "large deficiencies still exist in the basic management information that is required to do adequate planning and to perform performance measurement and program evaluation. Significant steps must be taken to eliminate this information deficiency if continuing improvements are to be made in the area of results measurement." The committee can only say, Mr. Chairman, "If you cannot measure results, you cannot effectively manage government programs."
The Minister of Finance is responsible for ensuring that this happens. The committee will continue to stress this, monitor progress and spur more action. Our people deserve better. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure that there are no more missed opportunities for improvement.
Committee Motion 71-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 7
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 21st, 1993
Page 547
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommend that the Department of Finance conduct a comprehensive review of the cost of running the government, that is the directorates, administration, finance and human resource functions. The analysis should include an assessment of each program and activity with a view to determining which elements are directed at providing public service and which ones are primarily devoted to operating government. Performance goals aimed at reducing the proportion of expenditures devoted to operating government, should be established. The department should measure and report, as part of the main estimates, the government's success in reaching these goals.
Committee Motion 71-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 7
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 547
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Dent. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 71-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 7
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 547
An Hon. Member
Question.