This is page numbers 261 - 280 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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 social.

Topics

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 277

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Madam Premier.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 277

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Chairman, like I said, I assumed that the document had wide distribution. We can make it available; it would take a few minutes, I suppose, to get it but I don't know whether the Member is wanting to have it long enough to peruse it or else we can try to provide copies as soon as possible.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 277

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 277

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would agree with the Premier that the document should be made available immediately to all Members in the House and would hope that she would do that. Since Members of the committee have had a chance to look at the document, then Members of the committee may be prepared to carry on with general comments but I would strongly recommend that we not go any further than general comments today with this department until all Members have had a chance to look at that document.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 277

An Hon. Member

Agreed.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 277

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Chairman, one other related issue that I would like some clarification on from the Minister's opening statement; the Minister talks about, in her opening statement, the viability of a community action fund and the need to discuss the means of raising the money for that fund. I'm assuming by that she's implying that it needs to be discussed in this House. Mr. Chairman, I'll just point out that on page 11 of the standing committee report, the committee comment was that we would wait for the government to provide details of how that extra funding would be found before making final comment on the overall government approach to social issues. Whether or not the government is going to provide that sort of direction seems to be called into question by the Minister's opening statement. I was wondering if we could get some clarification as to whether or not the government actually plans to come forward with a plan as to how the funds for that budget supplement will be found. Thank you.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 277

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Madam Premier.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 277

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Chairman, I believe that the action fund has been determined as a needed pot of funds that would, for a period of time anyway, respond to some of the shortfalls in the social envelope and that was the indication as such. I have discussed this quite extensively with the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance has indicated and asked that, if at all possible, there were ways that there could be savings within Health and Social Services, we would try to make those savings and redirect the resources to the action fund. There were discussions with the Minister of Finance on how he, as a Minister, could put forward a budget to make available, I believe it was about $3.3 million required for the community action fund. Some of the discussions we had were about raising some revenue through the budget speech. We didn't meet that objective. The thought at one time was there might perhaps be a personal tax increase of one or one and a half points which would cover any costs that we would require in the community action fund. That did not transpire, as Members are aware. So, we are trying to find ways and means in our budget to redirect and find some of those resources, Mr. Chairman.

That is what is meant by, "the viability of such a fund and the means of raising the money need to be discussed." These are internal discussions and are ongoing. I don't know the affordability of such a fund or about getting extra money. I'm not quite sure what Mr. Paul Martin is going to say in a couple of days either, and whether that would make it more or less probable that fund can be set up. So, right now, although we are committed to an action fund to take up some of the shortfalls, I'm not quite sure where we're going to get it or how we're going to get it, but we are dedicated to look and discuss ways and means we can get it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Premier. Before we continue on, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. James MacLatchie, executive director of the John Howard Society of Canada.

---Applause

Thank you. The chair recognizes Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Minister just outlined some possible approaches which have obviously been discarded for finding the funding, and continued on to say that there needs to be some discussion about how that funding might be found. I think it becomes problematic in considering this budget when, for instance, the Standing Committee on Finance was basically assured that we could consider the budget supplement part of the budget. If we don't know yet how it is going to be financed, how can we possibly consider it at the same time as this budget?

The problem becomes, if it is not part of the budget, the whole approach to what we're presenting in a review as ordinary Members, I think will change significantly. I think the budget supplement, as it was presented, represents a significant shift in allocation of dollars and priorities by the government and I think that just to take a look at the budget as it is presented in the budget books, without that supplement and without knowing we have the money for what is proposed in that supplement, really would change the tone of how we would conduct the review.

I guess I need to have some assurance from the Premier. I can understand that there have to be discussions, but I think we need to have some certainty that the government will find some way to make the funds available for that community action plan.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Madam Premier.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Chairman, I guess I hope these discussions will find a way to make sure that the $3 million is available for the community action fund. How we're going to attain that is difficult to say at this time. I know that there are some areas where we can make some savings, but it certainly won't reach the total amount that is required. It has been extremely difficult to make a determination about what is going to go and what is going to stay until we get out in the field and see if we can work with the communities, with their multitudes of committees, groups and agencies, to determine where we can redirect some of those dollars.

I think I can say we are committed to trying to find those dollars. I had thought that perhaps there would be some consideration in the budget address about the one or one and a half point increase in personal taxation so that we could do some of these things, but that wasn't well-received, so we have to find another way to look for those dollars.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess, for the record then, can the Premier advise the Members of this committee, should we consider the supplement document which has just now been distributed to all Members as part and parcel of the budget for those departments contained in the social envelope?

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Madam Premier.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Chairman, I'm just going to check here. It is certainly part of some of the thinking behind the budget presentation. But, Mr. Chairman, it doesn't answer the question the Member is presenting us with. It talks about the community action proposal and it also indicates that there is work within the social envelope committee in terms of dealing with the many services which are linked together. What it says here is if the proposal is to proceed, it will require that funding be made available in the main estimates. That does not answer the question the Member is putting forward.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that leaves us in a difficult situation and I would hope that committee of the whole could be advised, before we go any further in the budget, whether or not there is a commitment by the government to ensure that what we are looking at in the supplementary document is actually part and parcel of the budget.

I don't think, Mr. Chairman, until that question is answered, that we should proceed any further with consideration of the budget. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. We have a motion to report progress. The motion is not debatable, but I don't see a quorum. Therefore, I will sound the bell.

Thank you. We now have a quorum. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I shall rise and report to the Speaker. Before we leave, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister for appearing before the committee and thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee. We look forward to seeing the witnesses again. Thank you.

Committee Motion 28-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 4, Carried
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 278

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The House will come back to order. Item 21, report of committee of the whole. Mr. Whitford.

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 278

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 1 and Committee Report 4-12(7) and would like to report progress

with four motions being adopted. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of committee of the whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 279

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Do we have a seconder? Mr. Koe. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 279

An Hon. Member

Question.

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 279

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

---Carried

Item 22, third reading of bills. Mr. Kakfwi.

Bill 9: An Act To Amend The Legal Profession Act
Item 22: Third Reading Of Bills

February 22nd, 1995

Page 279

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Bill 9, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act, be read for the third time.