Yes thank you Mr. Chairman. WE are not trying to avoid answering the questions on the floor today but the process is that we will respond in a coordinated approach through the FMB and we will report back to Committee and answer each of the recommendations and questions that have been asked in report. We will be clear and unequivocal which ones we support, which ones we do not and which ones require further discussions. Again, it is not to avoid answering Mr. Steen's question today but we want to take a coordinated approach to answering the total Committee's report and recommendations and direction that is provided. Thank you.
Debates of Oct. 17th, 1996
Topics
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Any further general comments? Mr. Steen.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Yes, we are not trying to avoid it, Mr. Chairman. Do not misunderstand me. We are just going to take the normal approach where we coordinate our response and it will be in writing, and will lay out where we support and what we do not and what our questions are as we have in the past and it is not any intent to avoid answering the question at this time.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Steen.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Vince Steen Nunakput
Mr. Chairman, I would appreciate a copy of the response, when it is supplied to the Committee, if that is possible.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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John Todd Keewatin Central
I want to be clear, because I think it is a legitimate concern that Mr. Steen raises. We will provide a response to the committee, and all committee Members, and yes, we will provide Mr. Steen
with a copy.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Do we have further general comments, or concerns on the report, number seven? If not, do we agree that Report 7-13(3) is concluded?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Members
Agreed.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Shall we move on to Report 8-13(3) Resource Management Mid-Year Review Report. Mr. Krutko.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. During the mid-year activity review, Mr. Chairman, Members were disappointed that the government decision to seek input from all ordinary Members before consulting the Standing Committee on Resource Management Development.
Therefore, I move that the Committee recommend that the Government consult with the Standing Committee on strategies and initiatives before seeking for input from all ordinary Members. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will Mr. Mark Evaloarjuk to continue with the Committee report.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Before I recognize Mr. Evaloarjuk, I would like to ask Mr. Krutko, are you making a motion here, or is it a recommendation?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. It is not a motion. Mr. Evaloarjuk.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
October 17th, 1996
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Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Members were disappointed to see that these 3 Departments although not consolidated provided information to the Committee using the old departmental structure. Members were also concerned about the Minister's apparent inability to answer specific questions regarding strategies and initiatives outlined in the Business Plan when committee meetings were first commenced.
Nevertheless the Committee was pleased that the Minister was able to provide more detailed information the following day. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. Krutko to continue with the Committee report.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Mr. Krutko.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
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.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ootes.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you Mr. Chairman. The Department of Transportation mid-year activity report. The Committee was informed by the Minister and his staff the projects and initiatives outlined in the Business Plan were for the most part on schedule. Members noted that virtually all O & M reductions were complete. And that only one person had been laid off although 29 P.Y.'s were cut.
Capital changes. Resolute Bay air terminal. Members questioned why the Resolute Bay air terminal replacement project had been cut back by $633,000.00. The Minister stated that originally this project included a full flight service station. But Transport Canada was now favouring a more automated C.A.R.S. system - Community Aerodrome Radio Station. This change facilitated a saving of $633,000.00. Members noted that the Minister seemed ill prepared to address this issue and were left with numerous questions. Has Transport Canada made a final decision regarding this facility? If such a decision has been made by the federal government members would like to know when it was made.
The department provided the following explanation. $288,000.00 was transferred to the Gjoa Haven airport overlay taxi runway apron project. This additional amount was required to cover increased raw material costs. Crushed gravel for example and lighting systems. $300,000.00 was transferred to Hay River to rehabilitate the existing runway. Frost heaving is a problem in this area and has increased a...pardon me, has created an unsafe landing surface. $45,000.00 was transferred to Cambridge Bay application. This is a pilot project to test the effectiveness of a chemical agent that helps bind gravel together on airport runways. If this project is successful, the department of transportation plans to test its dust control capabilities on local roadways.
The Committee wishes to note that this tembind application project has a total budget of $135,000.00. The balance of $90,000.00 came from the airport upgrading project in Kugluktuk.
I would ask, Mr. Chairman, that Mr. Rabesca continue with the committee report.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you Mr. Ootes. Mr. Rabesca.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Rabesca
Thank you Mr. Chairman. Highways 3A and 3B Kilometre 0 to 243. Committee was told that tenders came in lower than anticipated on this project and resulted in savings of $606,000.00. This amount was
subsequently transferred to Highway 3B Kilometres 154 to 243. Where significant work is still required. The Committee understood the rationale for this transfer but was disappointed at the poor level of budgeting planning in this case.
Fort Simpson access paving. The Minister told the Committee that second stage paving originally planned for Highway #1B was not required as the road did not deteriorate as rapidly as expected. Resulting saving totalled $800,000.00. The Committee was surprised to find out that the Minister took the bulk of these funds, $650,000.00 and paved an access road to a new subdivision area just outside of Fort Simpson.
The Committee was alarmed to learn that this project did not even appear on the Department's 5 year capital plan. The Minister did not give any explanation for this except to say that the Mayor of Fort Simpson played a major role in this decision. Members were extremely annoyed by this event. The Committee has noted that a municipal mayor had more input into the Minister's decision than the public, Legislative Assembly and Standing Committees combined.
The Committee had recommended that no future changes to the capital budget plans be carried out without involvement of the agreements of the affected MLA's. This has however already been addressed through a motion in the House. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I will ask Mr. O'Brien, deputy chair of the Standing Committee of Resource Management and Development conclude the report.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you Mr. Rabesca. The Honourable member for Kivallivik, Mr. O'Brien.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you Mr. Chairman for reference me as honourable. My comments are reference to Safety and Public Services mid-year activity report. During the review of the 3 year Business Plan submitted by this Department in the Spring of 1996, the Standing Committee of Resource Management and Development noted that the Department planned to prepare for departmentally structuring necessary for Division 1999. And to plan and carry the orderly transfer of Occupational Health and Safety to the Workman's Compensation Board.
It was only during the mid-year activity report review that the Committee found out about the Government's plan to completely dismantle this Department. The Committee had not been consulted about this initiative nor was the Committee provided an update in the Department's mid-year activity report. It must be pointed out that the Committee members had significant involvement in the consolidation of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.
Given the Committee's non involvement in the dismantling of the Department of Safety and Public Works, members are extremely sceptical of the Government's proposal regarding this initiative. During the mid-year activity review, the Department did not provide an update on the dismantling of this Department. Members noted that the Department made no attempt to provide this information in advance of the meeting.
The Minister stated that a strategy paper on the dismantling of Safety and Public Services would be completed shortly and distributed to all members of the Assembly. Members are also very disappointed by these actions, and I remind the Minister of the Committee's responsibility to review policy proposals of the Department in this envelope.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee recommend all future items dealing with the dismantling of Safety and Public Services, including the strategy papers, be delivered to the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development for review and input before items are distributed to all ordinary members.
Under capital changes. There were no capital changes to this Department. Thank you Mr. Chairman.