There are debates all the time in WCB about how we evaluate wage loss versus a variety of other things, the Garven report alludes to it and it is going to be part of the review. This House will have an ample opportunity when we come in with a legislative action paper.
Debates of March 12th, 1993
Topics
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 889
John Todd Keewatin Central
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. General comments. Does the committee agree that WCB is concluded? Mr. Patterson. I thought you had moved to the other side, Mr. Patterson.
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
No, I am starting to enjoy it over here. Mr. Chairman, one issue I would like to ask the Minister about, and that is in the spirit of improving the revenues to the board, could I get an indication of how things are going on leasing the "jogging track," that very spacious area in the upper regions of the board offices which has been painfully empty for some time. I know the Minister, with his previous experience in real estate, may have been more successful than other Ministers in finding someone to take up that space. Could I get a report on what chances we have of improving the board's revenues by subletting some of that space? Thank you.
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
John Todd Keewatin Central
Let me say, for the record, that I concur with the Standing Committee on Finance chairman who said the board and the offices are somewhat ostentatious, there is no question of that. There is no question that it is somewhat of an embarrassment that we are sitting with a fourth floor we are paying for and there is no one in it. I am not going to deny that for one minute.
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. General comments. If there are no further general comments, the item will be concluded.
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
The Chair Tony Whitford
Mr. Minister, I would like to thank you on behalf of the committee, and your witnesses for appearing before us.
Does the committee agree to move to the Department of Safety and Public Services. The item to be found on section seven, page seven. Agreed?
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Safety And Public Services
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
The Chair Tony Whitford
Mr. Minister, are you prepared to give the committee your opening remarks for the Department of Safety and Public Services?
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
John Todd Keewatin Central
I am, Mr. Chairman. Shall I proceed?
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present the proposed 1993-94 O and M budget for the Department of Safety and Public Services. For 1993-94, the department is requesting $6.412 million compared to last year's budget of $6.354 million, for a net increase of $58,000. This increase of $58,000 is the result of an additional $91,000 to meet the UNW negotiated salary increase and a $33,000 reduction to support the GNWT program reduction initiative. The department is projecting revenues of $17.864 million, an increase of $734,000.
I am pleased to inform you that the department is making progress in its affirmative action program. At present, 18 per cent of our staff are native northerners and an additional 18 per cent are indigenous non-native. The department is taking steps to further improve its record in this area. For example, it has obtained training positions from the Department of Education for a labour standards inspectors and a safety officer in an effort to place aboriginal northerners in inspector positions.
The department has developed objectives for 1993-94 to enable the department to meet its goals, and to assist the government to meet its overall objective of fiscal restraint. To that end, the directorate intends to implement a reorganization of the division within the department to maximize operational efficiencies, reduce costs and develop a long range plan to ensure optimum use of resources.
Over the past three years the department has developed a strong and effective management for results system which allows us to evaluate and monitor the department's expenditures in relationship to its goals and objectives.
Mr. Chairman, the investigation of accidents and fatalities to determine causes and make recommendations to reduce such accidents will continue to be a high priority in the department, along with the monitoring of work places to ensure that work practices are safe. The department will continue to ensure that the safety and health of the public is protected by the effective enforcement and administration of acts and regulations pertaining to fire, safety, gas, boiler and pressure vessels safety and electrical and elevator safety.
Mr. Chairman, I will be pleased to answer any questions the Members of the committee may have.
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister, for your opening remarks. Is the Standing Committee on Finance prepared to present its report? Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Comments By Standing Committee On Finance
Committee Motion 85-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 29
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee commends the Department of Safety and Public Services for the relatively comprehensive report on performance measures. It reflects on the ability of the
department to answer the committee's questions. The government, specifically the Minister of Finance, should look at this as a model for performance measure reports for all departments.
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 890
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
With that, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Safety and Public Services ensure that they have sufficient inspectors, possibly by maintaining a roster of inspectors who are prepared to work on contract, so as to avoid construction delays in the communities. Thank you.
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
The Chair Tony Whitford
Question has been called. There does not appear to be a quorum. Would the Clerk ring the bell?
Thank you. There is a quorum. There is a motion on the floor which is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
The Chair Tony Whitford
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.
---Carried
We will move into general comments. Mrs. Marie-Jewell, are you finished your report?
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
The Chair Tony Whitford
We will move into general comments. Mr. Minister, do you wish to bring in witnesses? Sergeant-at-Arms, will you assist?
Mr. Minister, would you be so kind as to introduce your witnesses to the committee, please.
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Mr. Henry Dragon, director of finance and administration, and Mr. John Quirke who is the deputy minister.
Committee Motion 86-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 22
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 891
The Chair Tony Whitford
Welcome to the committee, gentlemen. General comments, Department of Safety and Public Services. Line by line.
Directorate
Page 07-8. Directorate. Total O and M, $737,000. Agreed?