Thank you Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Committee is glad to report that the initiative strategies outlined in the Business Plan are for the most part on schedule. The Minister's report, virtually all the cost savings initiatives outlined earlier have either been completed or are currently in progress. The Minister also reported new initiatives not previously outlined in the Business Plan. Those projects include the harvesting of snow geese in the Keewatin. Pollution prevention programs. Distrailed benefits strategies. The Committee was supportive of those initiatives and noted that the new projects were just funded.
Capital changes. The old capital changes. The only capital changes that the Department made was to the NWT Development Corporation. The Development Corporation original budget was increased by $252,000.00. The Committee was told that this amount represents an insurance claim for the loss resulting from a fire that destroyed the Pangnirtung print shop. The Committee was further informed that this amount would be reimbursed once an insurance settlement was finalized. Members were satisfied with this explanation and noted that it would not adversely affect the GNWT financial position.
However, members were concerned with the apparent lack of planning on behalf of the NWT Development Corporation in this situation. The fire occurred over a year a go. The members felt that the Development Corporation should have been able to budget for this item. In short, members felt that the NWT Development Corporation should have used its own funds as a float rather that the Consolidated Revenues account.
After revisiting this item, members still felt that this fate of unanswered question, plus with the transfer of the $252,000.00 to the Development Corporation budget. Those include who observed the $100,000.00, sorry, who absorbs the $100,000.00 insurance deductible? The Government of the Northwest Territories or the NWT Development Corporation?
The other question was when is this return of the $200,000.00 or $252,000.00 expected? What was the final cost to replace the Pangnirtung Print Shop? And last question, why was the print shop replaced before the insurance claim was finalized?
I would ask, Mr. Chairman that Mr. Ootes continue with the report. Mr. Ootes.