Debates of March 24th, 1993

This is page numbers 1121 - 1175 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 3rd 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 health.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Water Safety
Benefits Of Establishing A First Nations' Trust Company
Inadequacy Of Police Services In Yellowknife
Nunavut Business Conference And Trade Show
Helping Carvers In The Northwest Territories
Western Arctic Leadership Program
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Concerns Re South Slave Divisional Board Of Education
Departmental Assistance To Carvers
Transfer Of Parks Division To Renewable Resources
Development Of An Agricultural Policy
GNWT Position Re Elimination Of Interprovincial Trade Barriers
Access To Hap Programs For Private Businessmen
Policy On Sales And Shipping Of Caribou Parts
Concerns Of Fishermen Re The Ffmc
Official Opening Of Katannilik Park
Legal Liability For Abuse Suffered In Young Offenders' Facilities
GNWT Correspondence Re Staff Housing Policy
GNWT Participation In Coronation Gulf Development
Ownership Of Access Road In Izok Lake Development
Written Question 32-12(3): Awarding Of Contracts Under The Business Incentive Policy
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
Committee Report 18-12(3): Standing Committee On Public Accounts' Final Report On The Public Review Of Tabled Document 5-12(3), Report Of The Auditor General Of Canada On A Comprehensive Audit Of The Department Of Health
Item 11: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Bill 17: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1993-94
To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 19: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and colleagues. On behalf of the Management and Services Board I am pleased to present the operations and maintenance estimates for the Legislative Assembly. The estimates before you have been prepared with two important objectives in mind. The Management and Services Board wants to give the best possible service to Members and to the public and wants to be as effective and efficient as possible in the utilization of public funds.

The Assembly faces operational challenges in the coming year with the move into our new home. The current budget which we have been operating under is a "hold the line" budget. It does not include any costs related to the new building. Mr. Chairman, the estimates before you reflect four months of operations in this facility and eight months in the new building. A review was undertaken of the organizational structure and the operational requirements to determine what would be needed to run the new building. I am sure that the services which will be available to elected Members in the new building will greatly assist us in our work.

The estimates contain an increase of 8.5 person years spread through nearly all of our tasks. There is actually, Mr. Chairman, a ten person year increase but the funding for these positions is staggered throughout the fiscal year. Mr. Chairman, the additional person years will enhance the services to Members. There will be an additional person year in research and the upgrading of the research assistant position to research officer. There will be an enhancement in the library services which will benefit Members, staff and the general public. There will be an additional Members' secretary added to the staff, bringing that up to two full-time positions.

Some of the costs associated with the operation of the new building have been offset by reductions due to costs associated with running the Assembly out of our present facility. I would like to recognize the work of the Members of the Management and Services Board to address matters brought to the board by all Members. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. I would be pleased to answer any questions your committee has.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Antoine, as chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance do you have any comments?

Comments By Standing Committee On Finance

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee acknowledges the requirements for additional funds brought on by the new Legislative Assembly building. We believe that the Speaker has made a reasonable effort at minimizing those increases. Service demands have increased, sitting days have gone from 53 to 90 days, and the number of committee days required to conduct the business of the Legislative Assembly have almost doubled. This increased committee activity is placing additional demands on research resources. Mahsi.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Are there any general comments? Does the committee agreed we go line by line? Agreed?

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Legislative Assembly, total O and M, $10.699 million. Agreed?

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Detail of work performed on behalf of third parties, total department, $310,000. Agreed?

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Program summary, total O and M, $10.699 million. Agreed?

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you. Is the committee agreed that this item is concluded? Madam Premier.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Chairman, I would like to know whether some of the discussion that has been going on is true, and I do not know if it is reflected in the budget, regarding the Speaker cutting his salary in half and giving me his office in the new Legislative Assembly building.

---Laughter

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

It is true. I made an offer to match any reduction that the Government Leader has in salary and move into a joint office with her. She can share my office in the new Legislative Assembly building.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hansard will duly record. Madam Premier.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

I would agree to that if we could match our work load as well.

---Laughter

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. I think the measurable factor is the efficiency of the work done as opposed to the work load itself.

---Laughter

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1173

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to give equal time, Mr. Ningark.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1174

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Mr. Chairman, did we conclude this budget, if not, I have a serious question.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1174

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Yes, the matter was concluded, however, the chair will show some leniency for you to make comment. Mr. Ningark.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1174

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The question I wanted to ask was with regard to the salaries for constituency assistants. The salary of the MLA assistant is only $20,000 per year. When it comes to living in an isolated, high cost of living community, this is not very much. Sometimes when you hire a good assistant, and if the salary is not very attractive, this good person may not stay very long and then you have to end up hiring someone else. Would the Speaker consider increasing the salary to a more attractive amount?

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1174

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 122-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 6
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1174

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Management and Services Board is aware of the concern of a number of Members regarding the fact that the salary for constituency assistants has not been increased for the last three years. We are also aware that the work load and the responsibilities of Members have increased. The Management and Services Board is actually studying this issue. We hope to have a resolution of this issue in the next couple of months.