Members Present
Hon. Jim Antoine, Hon. Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Hon. Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Picco, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Hon. Manitok Thompson, Hon. John Todd
---Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Page 57
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Please be seated. Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.
Minister's Statement 7-13(2): Name Of College Campus In Inuvik
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 57
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Arctic College was divided into two institutions on January 1st of last year. After a round of public consultations, the western institution was named Aurora College. As a result, both the Inuvik campuses and the college were named Aurora.Public consultaition was undertaken last fall and suggstions were collected for a new name for the Inuvik campus. After the election, the new MLAs for the Inuvik region were invited to make recommendations and consult with their constituents. There was an overwhelming response in the region to keep the present name.After considering the results of the consultation, I am please to announce that Aurora has been confirmed as the name for the college campus in Inuvik.---ApplauseMr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to bring the Members of this Assembly up to date on some of the excellent work that is being carried out at Aurora College.One of the government's priorities is to work towards healthy communities and community-based problem solving by supporting community wellness. In response to commuity interest in developing and delivering community wellness projects, Aurora College has been proactive in the development of a community wellness worker training program for the Inuvik region.Initial development has focused on exploring the possibility of developing a one to two-year collge program which would train a core group of people in their home community to deal with a variety of issues with a focus on prevention, healing and treatment. Each community would identify its own needs and the type of work it would like the community wellness workers to carry out. This community-based approach would offer a holistic approach that addresses the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental needs of community members.College staff have developed a prototype for a community wellness worker certificate to promote discussion about the possibility of establishing such a program, and to help assess the level of interest. Presentations have been made in Inuvik and Fort Good Hope, and reaction has been favourable. It is hoped that this initiavite will continue to receive the support it needs to implement this program. Mr. Speaker, another exciting initiative in the Inuvik region is the fine arts certificate program. The program started in May of last year and since then, 17 aboriginal students have explored a variety of media, such as sculpture, painting, print-making, drawing, photography and computer graphics. I had a chance to see first hand some of the students' work when I recently visited Inuvik. Summer practicum have also helped the students develop their skills in a number of areas, including business and marketing.The students have recently been accepted by the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the National Gallery in Ottawa to do a two-week internship in April. The internship will help students expand their artistic horizons and knowledge base through classes or workshops, and through tours of local galleries, churches, the Parliament Buildings and other places of interest.The Canadian Museum and National Gallery will also benefit from the internship, as the students share their cultural knowledge. The internship includes an additional week at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre here in Yellowknife.As part of the internship, the students have been asked to present a small exhibit of their artwork at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and National Gallery. Mr. Speaker, this is an opportunity that few artists achieve in the lifetime. The students are currently carrying out the necessary planning and fund-raising for their trip. We should all feel proud of these NWT artists.I am pleased with the continued development of new training initiatives throughout the college system that are focused on preparing Northerners for a changing employment market.
Thank you.
---Applause
Minister's Statement 7-13(2): Name Of College Campus In Inuvik
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Picco.
35th Anniversary Of Cbc North Radio In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently, CBC North Radio broadcasting from lqaluit celebrated its 35th year on the air. Mr. Speaker, CBC Radio was and still is the major communication vehicle for many residents of the Eastern Arctic. Mr. Jonah Kelly by broadcasting in Inuktitut way back then, helped strengthen and preserve the Inuktitut language. Mr. Kelly has been broadcasting for CBC North for the past 30 years and is be to congratulated.
Mr. Speaker, in 1987, my wife and I were travelling to Ottawa. When we arrived at the Ottawa airport, a gentleman come over to us and asked where we were going. My wife and I did not recognize the gentlemen at first, but we certainly knew his voice; it was Mr. Jonah Kelly. This is just a simple example of how well-known the voice of CBC North has become in Nunavut and the Eastern Arctic, northern Quebec and Labrador. Mr. Speaker, the CBC Radio program Tausunni is recognized and listened to all over Nunavut and is picked up in northern offices in the South, including the MP for Nunatsiaq, Mr. Anawak's office in Ottawa. CBC North Radio is an integral part of life in Nunavut, northern Quebec and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to congratulate CBC Radio Eastern Arctic on its 35 years of broadcasting, and wish them another 35. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
35th Anniversary Of Cbc North Radio In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Levi Barnabas, Member for High Arctic.
Support For Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I wish to speak today in support of the Arctic Winter Games. (Translation ends)
...support of the Arctic Winter Games. It has recently been suggested by another honourable Member that the games are too costly. For example, mentioned was the cost of the preselection of dogteams.
Mr. Speaker, I have found that about 2,400 athletes from 52 communities participated in regional trials. They tried out for the games. In January of this year, another 1,400 athletes from 44 communities competed in the territorial trials. The 370 athletes who will go to Alaska represent only a small number of people from many small communities, like the one I represent, who have a chance to participate in the goal of participating in the games. I believe that these regional and territorial trials encourage people at the community level to compete and train all year round.
As for the cost, I would like to point out that the Arctic Winter Games are run by volunteers. Most of the budget is spent on travel. Most of the money comes from lottery revenues, registration fees paid by the athletes, fund-raising and donations. In fact, if you add up the total number of athletes in Baffin at each of the regional and territorial games themselves and divide that into the total Arctic Winter Games budget of $1.5 million, that works out to a cost of only about $360 per athlete. Most of the money is spent on regional and territorial costs. When I look at the value of sending an athlete from one of the small communities, experiencing not just the value of the healthy competition
Sorry, Mr. Speaker, can I ask for unanimous consent?
Support For Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 58
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
The honourable Member is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Barnabas.
Support For Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 58
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ...not just the value of the healthy competition, but the social and cultural exchange and the opportunity to see other parts of the Territories and the North. I think this is a very good value for a small amount spent per athlete. Members should also be aware, Mr. Speaker, that our government only contributes $300,000 in direct funding to the cost. That works out to a cost for our government of only about $70 per athlete. The rest is raised privately and by volunteer efforts.
I would like to say, Mr. Speaker, that for my constituents, including the dogteam which came all the way from Arctic Bay to demonstrate the tradition going back thousands of years, I believe the Arctic Winter Games are good value for our money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
Support For Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Qujannamiik, Mr. Barnabas. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Tommy Enuaraq, Member for Baffin Central.
New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 58
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I start my Members' statement, I would like to make an honourable mention at this financially difficult time. The honourable Premier, Donnie Morin, was kind enough to give me this nice, beautiful tie.
---Applause
Mr. Speaker, my concern today is about housing. Last year, a new social housing rent scale was put in place. This followed extensive consultation with communities and representatives in each district at the Housing Corporation in the Northwest Territories. When the new rent scale was put into place by the previous Assembly, the Minister who was then in charge of the Housing Corporation, the honourable Don Morin, stated that ongoing consultation would happen in every community and every region in the following year.
Many of my constituents are hurting because of this new rent scale. I am not sure it has worked out in the way it was intended to. In all cases, Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe that now is the time the new rent scale has to be put into place. We need to consult with the communities and find out how it has been working.
We need to consider whether the new rent scale should be modified where it has caused undue hardships. Communities should also have the opportunity to consider other issues such as housing design; the effectiveness of new home ownership programs should both be done in the community and at the regional level as it was done when the rent scale was being put in place.
Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Housing if he intends to carry on with the commitments for the consultations promised by the previous Housing Minister, Mr. Morin. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 59
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Item 3, Members' statements. Are there further Members' statements? Mr. Roland.
Process Used In Amending Public Service Act
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 59
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past weekend, I returned to my home and held a constituency meeting. The majority of people at the meeting were union associated. During this meeting, there were concerns raised about the amendments for the Public Service Act and the process being used at this time.
Mr. Speaker, there is still a question out there that we, as the present government, are carrying on with old practices. Mr. Speaker, in my discussions with the people of Inuvik, I have said we, as a government, are changing the way we do business and I believe this will become evident as the budget unfolds. Mr. Speaker, right now, both government and union negotiators are starting to go through their process behind closed doors. The information is not getting out to the people and the information that is getting out is from a few --some of it true, some of it false --rumours, Mr. Speaker. I believe we can relieve the tension out there by getting information to the people.
Mr. Speaker, it was also mentioned by the GNWT employees of lnuvik that they understand everyone will be touched by the budget reductions. They do not want it to be a legislated process. They requested me to question the process. They stated that I would be doing them a disservice if I did not question the process being used. Mr. Speaker, it was at this point I stated, as Inuvik's MLA, that I represent everyone in Inuvik; employed and unemployed, union or not. As their representative, I must try to come up with a balance which would give everyone equal representation.
---Applause
Process Used In Amending Public Service Act
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 59
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.
Equipment Donations For Chief Julius School
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 59
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rose in the House last week and made a statement with regard to the school in Fort McPherson. In consultation with members of the school, teachers and students, there seems to be a real loss in losing such a facility. Things that a lot of us take for granted with regard to having to cope without a gymnasium, regular classrooms and recreation equipment such as cross country skis, hockey equipment and recreation equipment; especially at this time, students don't have the opportunities that most people take for granted.
At this time, I would like to inform all the Members of the House and people in other northern communities that they can contribute to the school in Fort McPherson through the Beaufort Divisional Board of Education and give any equipment they may have by way of skis, hockey equipment, broomball equipment, et cetera. The only facility we have use of at the present time is the recreation complex which is a hockey arena and a small community hall. So anything that can be donated at this time will be greatly appreciated.
Later I will be asking questions to the Minister with regard to the progress of the new renovations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Equipment Donations For Chief Julius School
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 59
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien, Member for Kivallivik.
Awarding Of Baker Lake Group Home Contract
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 59
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on numerous occasions government has referred to its commitment to buy northern and hire northern through such initiatives as the business incentive policy, the architect and engineering policy with DPW and the affirmative action policy and, Mr. Speaker, in more generic terms, the northern preference policy.
Mr. Speaker, the community transfer initiative, CTI, has been established for a number of reasons, but its primary purpose was to turn over more responsibilities to the hamlets so the communities could have more say in the running of their community.
Mr. Speaker, the overall goal is to empower the communities. I applaud the previously mentioned initiatives, but they cannot be effective if there isn't open and honest dialogue. Mr. Speaker, I believe that this government must take the time to listen more attentively to the concerns and recommendations from each community. Mr. Speaker, I have some serious concerns in my riding of Kivallivik regarding how committed some government departments are in terms of the concerns and recommendations, for example, from Arviat and Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, a case in point was the recent awarding of a contract for the running of the group home in Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, prior to the contract being awarded, I approached the Minister of Health and Social Services on a number of occasions regarding the community's wish to have the group home run by local people as opposed to outsiders. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, my request was not honoured as the contract was awarded without my knowledge and I found out after the fact by one of our local community members.
Mr. Speaker, the real concern here is that the contract was awarded to an outside or southern company without much thought or consideration for the other local groups that applied. Mr. Speaker, the local bids may not have been perfect, but Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to continue my statement.
Awarding Of Baker Lake Group Home Contract
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 60
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
The honourable Member for Kivallivik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. O'Brien, please conclude your statement.
Awarding Of Baker Lake Group Home Contract
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 60
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The other local bids may not have been perfect, but surely some accommodation could have been made to allow local people to run this particular group home. Mr. Speaker, another equally disturbing fact is that the party that won the award was not the low bidder, but was higher by approximately $60,000. Mr. Speaker, in times of fiscal restraint with a looming deficit of $150 million and a commitment by this government for community empowerment, how could this contract be awarded and justified? Mr. Speaker, I will ask further questions during question period regarding this issue. Thank you.
Awarding Of Baker Lake Group Home Contract
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 60
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Item 3, Members' statements. Are there any further Members' statements? Item 4, returns to oral questions. Minister Thompson.
Return To Question 20-13(2): Advancement Of Maintenance Garage Project In Pangnirtung
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 60
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question was relayed to me by Mr. Enuaraq, MLA for Baffin Central, on February 15, 1996, concerning the 1996-97 capital plan for the hamlet of Pangnirtung.
Regarding the specific request to consider advancing the upgrading of the maintenance garage from the 1998-99 fiscal year to the 1996-97 fiscal year (Translation ends).
...department officials advised that as the department's 1996-97 capital budget would soon be under review as part of the government's business planning process, it would be difficult to make this change at such a late date. If the maintenance garage project for Pangnirtung were to be advanced, then another project would need to be set back.
I am advised, however, that after the discussion had concluded on this particular item, the hamlet council advised my department officials that they would accept where this project was scheduled in the capital forecasting plan at present. The council further reconfirmed that their highest priority is to proceed with construction of the new sewage treatment facility and the solid waste site.
I am open to discussing this matter with the Member. If the hamlet has reassessed its priorities and wishes to still pursue advancing the maintenance garage, we could consider a deferral of a project of equal value, within the department's capital forecasting plan for the community. I am also open to discussing the scheduling of capital projects planned by other government departments for Pangnirtung during the 1996-97 fiscal year with the Minister responsible.
I wish to assure the Member that I am prepared to work with him to ensure that to the degree possible, the capital plan for Pangnirtung reflects the priorities of the hamlet council. However, given the limited capital budget that is available to allocate in the coming fiscal year to the many pressing there is very little flexibility to make further budget adjustments between communities without discussion and cooperation from other community councils. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 20-13(2): Advancement Of Maintenance Garage Project In Pangnirtung
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 60
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, honourable Minister. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services and the Housing Corporation, Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 30-13(2): Social Assistance Policy On Rental Arrears Owed To Lhas
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 60
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked February 15th by the honourable Member for Hay River with respect to how much money is owed by public housing tenants to this government at this point in time.
Mr. Speaker, currently there is $5 million owed to the local housing organizations in tenant arrears. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 30-13(2): Social Assistance Policy On Rental Arrears Owed To Lhas
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 60
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item, returns to oral questions. Mr. Dent.
Release Of Report On Nunavut Arctic College Program Transfers
Further Return To Question 30-13(2): Social Assistance Policy On Rental Arrears Owed To Lhas
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 60
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Picco on February 16, 1995.
On Friday, February 16th, I faxed a letter to the chairman of the Nunavut Arctic College Board of Governors, Joe Ohokannoak, asking him to consider the appropriateness of tabling a report entitled "Nunavut Arctic College Program Relocation Study," by Hugh Lloyd.
Mr. Ohokannoak phoned this morning to advise me that Mr. Lloyd's report has been available to the public for some time now. Copies can be obtained from the Nunavut Arctic College office in lqaluit. I will table a copy of the report in the House as soon as I receive it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 30-13(2): Social Assistance Policy On Rental Arrears Owed To Lhas
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 60
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, honourable Minister. ltern 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.
Question 51-13(2): Consultation Re Effect Of New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 60
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Housing. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member's statement today, there was extensive
consultation leading up to the implementation of the new social housing rent scale last year. The previous Housing Minister promised that the consultation would continue once the rent scale was in place. Will the Minister commit to a process of community and regional consultation in the coming years so the Housing Corporation can consider the effectiveness of the new rent scale and other housing issues? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 51-13(2): Consultation Re Effect Of New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister for Housing, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 51-13(2): Consultation Re Effect Of New Social Housing Rent Scale
Question 51-13(2): Consultation Re Effect Of New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the corporation has continued to undertake consultations at a community and at a regional level in following the past practice established by the former Minister. In the case of the honourable Member for Baffin, I am actually advised that with the exception of lqaluit, all communities in the Baffin district have already undertaken community consultations for this current fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that we will continue to look at community consultation readings to address housing concerns. Thank you.
Return To Question 51-13(2): Consultation Re Effect Of New Social Housing Rent Scale
Question 51-13(2): Consultation Re Effect Of New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for lqaluit, Mr. Picco.
Question 52-13(2): Purchase Of Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a letter to all MLAs and recently in the media, it has come to my attention this government is continuing to look at the possible purchase of Canarctic Shipping. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister for Transportation please confirm to this House that in actuality we, as a government, are negotiating to buy Canarctic?
Question 52-13(2): Purchase Of Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.
Return To Question 52-13(2): Purchase Of Canarctic Shipping
Question 52-13(2): Purchase Of Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The government department and the Cabinet have riot made any decisions on this matter. We're reviewing this matter further and we will get back to the Member as soon as we have any direction on this matter. Thank you.
Return To Question 52-13(2): Purchase Of Canarctic Shipping
Question 52-13(2): Purchase Of Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
James Rabesca North Slave
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, on the Human Resources Development Canada notice to apprentices in their income support document. The changes to the apprenticeship program will be effective April 1, 1996. The program will be available to those apprentices who are eligible for UI. If their UI claim starts on or after training start date, the normal UI two-week waiting period will apply. The basic training allowances to offset the waiting period will no longer apply.
Mr. Speaker, if an apprentice submits a record of employment or an application which is incorrectly filed, the first unemployment insurance cheque will not arrive until seven or eight weeks after the training date starts. Apprentices are expected to save enough money to meet their financial commitments for at least four weeks or two months after the commencement of the course because there may be some delays in payment.
Mr. Speaker, I have also been informed that as of January 1997, there will not be any more allowances for the apprentices. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment if this is in fact true.
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member's understanding of the situation is essentially the case. The changes to the unemployment insurance program will severely impact our ability to put people into the apprenticeship training program in terms of cost. The estimate of costs right now is about $500,000 a year that we are liable to lose through the changes in Ul. In January, I wrote the federal Minister responsible outlining our concerns about this change.
Return To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Rabesca.
Supplementary To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
James Rabesca North Slave
Since most of the apprenticeship technical training is taken in the South, how will the apprentices receive. their training it there won't be any more allowances after January 1997?
Supplementary To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 61
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is absolutely right because 50 per cent of our apprentices must attend school in Alberta, Manitoba or New Brunswick in order to complete their trades training. At this point in time, we are still hoping that we will be able to discuss with HRDC an approach that would see them restoring some of the funding. We aren't convinced yet that Human Resources Development Canada have actually recognized the severe impact and the special impact that these changes will have on the North. We are probably the only jurisdiction in Canada where people undertaking trades training must travel more than 1,000 kilometres to attend the schooling portion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Krutko, Member for Mackenzie Delta. I believe the honourable Member for North Slave still has the floor. Mr. Rabesca.
Supplementary To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
James Rabesca North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How will eliminating the apprenticeship allowances affect employment programs?
Supplementary To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said, we are hoping to negotiate with Human Resources Development Canada to restore some of the funding. Our hope is that we won't necessarily see any significant change. If we are unable to get the federal government to reconsider their decision, the potential is there for significant impact. That will be something that we will have to explore in more detail in flip future. At this point in time, we haven't given up hope of obtaining some federal funding.
Further Return To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Rabesca, final supplementary.
Supplementary To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
James Rabesca North Slave
With the changes to the apprenticeship programs, who will be monitoring the program to ensure that they are following standards so that a student will not have to wait two months to receive enough money to remain in the program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will retain responsibility for monitoring aspects of the program. The overall apprenticeship program has set standards and they are administered by a board. It will remain the responsibility of the department to ensure that we can still provide training for people who require it. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Question 53-13(2): Apprenticeship Training Allowances
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for the Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
Question 54-13(2): Time Frame For Construction Of New School In Fort Mcpherson
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. As I mentioned earlier in my statement, in the early morning of January 9th, the Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson was destroyed by a fire at a loss of $7 million to $8 million. Since the time of the blaze, the community of Fort McPherson has rallied amongst themselves in various community buildings, which now double as classrooms and offices --the hamlet office; band council; Gwich'in Tribal Council office; the youth hall; the church; and the nursing station --which house approximately 240 students.
At this time, I would like to ask the Minister what the status is with regard to the building of a new school and what kind of time frames we are looking at.
Question 54-13(2): Time Frame For Construction Of New School In Fort Mcpherson
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 54-13(2): Time Frame For Construction Of New School In Fort Mcpherson
Question 54-13(2): Time Frame For Construction Of New School In Fort Mcpherson
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department moved quickly to ensure that the funding was available for temporary classroom space and then had to enter into negotiations on the size of the new school; in other words, the number of classrooms and the number of seats. We now have agreement with the community, the divisional board and the department on the size and number of seats in the school. We still need to be sure that the community is adequately consulted on the design.
Currently, the department is working at finalizing a submission to the Financial Management Board for the capital cost of building a new school.
Return To Question 54-13(2): Time Frame For Construction Of New School In Fort Mcpherson
Question 54-13(2): Time Frame For Construction Of New School In Fort Mcpherson
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for lqaluit, Mr. Picco.
Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, Health and Welfare Canada has changed several of their non-insured health benefits for Inuit and First Nations people. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister is has the GNWT reviewed these changes and implications?
Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the department has reviewed the changes. Thank you.
Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non- Insured Health Benefits
Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, these changes were only made known to Inuit and First Nations people in December. Mr. can the Minister inform this House if the GNWT were consulted on these changes, specifically the dental changes, before they were made public?
Supplementary To Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non- Insured Health Benefits
Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non- Insured Health Benefits
Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we were not consulted on the changes. Health Canada provides the framework for supply of these services and our government merely administers the services on behalf of Health Canada. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non- Insured Health Benefits
Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.
Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my next question to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation is a most urgent and serious one. Mr. Speaker, I understand that due to the strong winds in Pangnirtung last night, a power line was taken out by an object which flew off a building and about 40 houses were left without power overnight. When will the power be restored to these 40 units in Pangnirtung?
Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
The Minister for the Power Corporation, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was advised about 15 minutes ago that the power is back on.
Return To Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.
Supplementary To Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
If there was any damage done to these houses due to the power outage, who would take responsibility for their repairs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In most instances, it would be between the home owner and their insurance company. Hopefully they are insured. I don't believe that the Power Corporation provides any guarantees on being able to provide power in the event that an act of God causes an outage.
Further Return To Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Question 56-13(2): Restoration Of Power To Pangnirtung Residents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 57-13(2): Baker Lake Group Home Operating Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr.
Speaker, in reference to my Member's statement, I wish to ask the Minister if he was aware of the Baker Lake group home contract prior to the contract being awarded; and, if so, it he would kindly justify to this House the rationale behind the award. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 57-13(2): Baker Lake Group Home Operating Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister of Housing.
Return To Question 57-13(2). Baker Lake Group Home Operating Contract
Question 57-13(2): Baker Lake Group Home Operating Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
HON, KELVIN NG: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I was aware of the tender for the operation of the Baker Lake group home because the honourable Member had brought it up to me. The contract awarded was based on the most qualified contractor being awarded the contract. Thank you.
Return To Question 57-13(2). Baker Lake Group Home Operating Contract
Question 57-13(2): Baker Lake Group Home Operating Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr, Picco.
Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally a question for my friend, the Minister of Education. During this past fall and during my election, it became very evident that student financial assistance, or SFA, is inadequate. Mr. Speaker, in lqaluit, students attending the college had to go out hunting caribou because their SFA cheques did not arrive on time and because they were out of food. My question to the Minister of Education is, has this problem been rectified.
Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Mr. Speaker, I understand that in almost all cases cheques are now being issued within 10 days of an application being received, which is in fact the standard that we had set as a department.
Return To Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. First supplementary, Member for lqaluit.
Supplementary To Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm very pleased to hear that. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister review the current remuneration rates of SFA to ensure that students are receiving enough to live on?
Supplementary To Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in fact there is a study under way at this time. We've had consultants working with the department to undertake a total review of the student financial assistance program. I expect that the results will not be available until later this
spring. I was intending to bring the proposal forward for discussion in the House in the fall.
Further Return To Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes, Member for Yellowknile Centre.
Question 59-13(2): Government Employees Attending Awg
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs with regard to the Arctic Winter Games. There is a tremendous concern about our projected deficit in the Territories and I would like to know from the Minister if she could advise us how many government personnel may be slated to go out to the Arctic Winter Games and how many personnel from this Legislature may be going from the Executive. Thank you.
Question 59-13(2): Government Employees Attending Awg
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Honourable Minister.
Return To Question 59-13(2): Government Employees Attending Awg
Question 59-13(2): Government Employees Attending Awg
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will be discussing this matter this week with regard to the number of people who will be attending the winter games. Thank you.
Return To Question 59-13(2): Government Employees Attending Awg
Question 59-13(2): Government Employees Attending Awg
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.
Question 60-13(2): Creation Of NWT Mining School
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the course of my consultations during my campaign, I spoke to many people and some of them mentioned the possibility of starting a mining school in Yellowknife. My question is to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. As there is only one mining school in Canada and mining plays such a very important role in our lives, I'm wondering if the Minister has ever considered putting forward some resources to starting a mining school that would train northern people to work in the northern mines. Thank you.
Question 60-13(2): Creation Of NWT Mining School
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, Mr. Don Morin.
Return To Question 60-13(2): Creation Of Nwt Mining School
Question 60-13(2): Creation Of NWT Mining School
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have talked to many people who are also interested in being trained to enable them to go into the mining industry, whether it means in the production end or the exploration end. My understanding is that there is a program presently sponsored by BHP that Mr. Dent, the Minister of Education, is involved in with some of the communities to get people ready for the mining industry, We also sponsor a prospectors' program that makes dollars available for people to go out on the land to prospect for certain minerals. Yesterday, I visited an outpost camp run by Trevor Teed. In talking to them out there, they also expressed interest in possibly having an educational program for the trappers so the trappers themselves can recognize rocks that contain certain types of minerals. So I think it's worthwhile looking at. We definitely need them. Thank you.
Return To Question 60-13(2): Creation Of Nwt Mining School
Question 60-13(2): Creation Of NWT Mining School
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, honourable Minister. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Roland.
Question 61-13(2): Tax Revenues From Alcohol And Tobacco Sales
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. I would like to know what this government realizes in revenues from the taxes of alcohol and cigarettes. Thank you.
Question 61-13(2): Tax Revenues From Alcohol And Tobacco Sales
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.
Question 61-13(2): Tax Revenues From Alcohol And Tobacco Sales
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have those numbers at my fingertips, I'll have to take the question as notice. Thank you.
Question 61-13(2): Tax Revenues From Alcohol And Tobacco Sales
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.
Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education. The Minister had indicated in his presentation earlier that Aurora Campus was involved in community wellness worker training. I'm just wondering if this would only be offered at the Aurora Campus or is this being looked at throughout the Northwest Territories. I know that the community wellness strategy is a Territories-wide strategy and it would be a shame if the other communities were not allowed to train workers in this area as well. Is this initiative being looked at Territories-wide?
Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently, the program is like a pilot project that is being looked at. It is under development and is being developed at the one campus. As to whether or not it would be offered throughout the Territories, I can't say right now. The colleges do not necessarily offer all programs at all campuses; for instance, the recreation leaders' program is not offered at all campuses, it's only offered at the Inuvik campus.
In terms of the size of our jurisdiction, it isn't economically feasible at all times to offer all of the programs at all of the campuses. Having said that, the board of governors are always examining which programs it makes sense to offer at which locations. After this one is fully developed, the board may consider expanding it to other campuses.
Return To Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 64
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. First supplementary, the honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Erasmus.
Supplementary To Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The funds that are being expended towards this program, are those territorial government funding or is that through, perhaps, Gwich'in land claims funding or is this being done through some type of a third-party contract that the college often enters into?
Supplementary To Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Supplementary To Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not absolutely certain where all the funds may have been coming from for this program so I will take the question as notice.
Supplementary To Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Question 62-13(2): Community Wellness Worker Training Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister has taken the question as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien, Member for Kivallivik.
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minster of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me whether or not the department applied the northern preference policy while making the selection for this award? Thank you.
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable...The question is unclear. Would the honourable Member clarity what contract was awarded so the Minister can be in a position to respond to you?
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The contract I'm referring to is the awarding of the Baker Lake group home project. Thank you.
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, honourable Member for Kivallivik. The honourable Minister, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there were four proponents to the contract that the honourable Member is referring to. The one that was awarded the contract was the only proponent that was registered for the business incentive policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. O'Brien, first supplementary.
Supplementary To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
MR, O'BRIEN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me whether there are any plans at the present time or any discussions with regard to changing the status or the classification of the Baker Lake group home? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the group home in question is currently a residential home for children at this time. Yes, there are plans to try to convert it to a residential treatment centre for children in the future. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Second supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.
Supplementary To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again in reference to my Members' statement, I referred to consultation and empowering communities and so on. Can the Minister tell me whether there have been any discussions or dialogue with the hamlet or the community leaders regarding the change in status of the classification of this particular building? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure whether or not there have been consultations or to the extent of those consultations, so I will investigate that and report back to the Member. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.
Supplementary To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister assure me that if consultations have not taken place that they will, and that the community leaders will be involved if there should be a change in status regarding this particular operation? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can make that commitment. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 65
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Enuaraq.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 66
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 10, petitions. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 66
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Member, Mr. Enuaraq, is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 10, petitions. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Enuaraq.
Revert To Item 10: Petitions
Revert To Item 10: Petitions
Page 66
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table Petition No. 2-13(2) signed by 241 residents of the community of Clyde River, supporting more public housing for the community. Mr. Speaker, the Clyde River Housing Association has only 98 public housing units available and there are 72 people now on the waiting list for public housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Revert To Item 10: Petitions
Revert To Item 10: Petitions
Page 66
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Item 13, tabling of documents. Before we move to item 14, notices of motion, I would like to acknowledge the Scouts who are with us today as Pages.
---Applause
Forgive me if I am not able to pronounce your names right. They are Sam Bartlett, Shane Wallis, Stewart Mackenzie, Jonathan Bilodeau, Andrew Bishop, Ben Singer, Jeff Nungaq, Nathan Arngna'naaq.
---Applause
Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Mr. Todd.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Page 66
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by my honourable colleague from Tu Nedhe, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, be read for the first time.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Page 66
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Todd. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Page 66
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Page 66
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Question is being called. All those in favour of the motion, please signify in the usual manner. Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, has had first reading. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Mr. Todd.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Page 66
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by my honourable colleague from Tu Nedhe, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Page 66
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Todd. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Page 66
An Hon. Member
Question.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Page 66
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Question is being called. All those in favour of Bill 1, please signify. All those opposed to the second reading of Bill 1? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Bill 1 has had second reading and, accordingly, the bill stands referred to Committee of the Whole. Thank you. Item 18, second reading of bills. Mr. Todd.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Page 66
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Public Service Act by taking out provisions that require disagreements that arise during negotiation of a collective agreement to be referred to an arbitrator and substituting provisions that allow employees who are members of a bargaining unit to strike, and the Minister to change the terms and conditions of employment where there is no longer a collective agreement in effect. As a consequence, the bill provides that the renewal provisions in the current collective agreement no longer have any effect.
The bill also amends the act to establish an offence for unlawfully striking or declaring a strike; it sets out a process for the making of agreements to identify what are essential services and which employees in the bargaining unit are required to work during a strike to provide an essential service or to respond to an emergency; it establishes bargaining units and clarifies which positions are excluded from the collective agreement.
The bill also consequentially amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association Act and the Union of Northern Workers Act.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Page 66
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. To the principle of the bill. Mr. Picco.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Page 66
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, I said publicly in this House on Friday that I would speak against this bill to amend the Public Service Act. Mr. Speaker, as a former UNW local president
and a former member of the UNW bargaining team, I think I understand the ramifications of this act. The carrot in the act was to give the union the right to strike. But the government proposes to set out a process for the making of agreements to identity which are essential services and which employees of the bargaining unit are required to work during a strike. Thus, the process will negate many members of the bargaining unit to actually strike.
Mr. Speaker, the amendment also provides that the renewal provisions in the current collective agreements are no longer in effect. This will ensure that the bargaining units will have to negotiate a collective agreement with one hand tied behind their back. Mr. Speaker, this act would also establish bargaining units and clarity which positions are excluded from collective bargaining. This means that many of the people who are now included under individual bargaining units could be excluded. The amendments to the act also mean that the disagreements arising from collective bargaining will no longer be referred to an arbitrator. Mr. Speaker, this change will mean that independent dispute reconciliation methods will no longer be present, giving the employer an unfair advantage over the employees.
Mr. Speaker, it would seem to me that the changes in the Public Service Act have been tailored to emasculate the union. Mr. Speaker, the amendments asked for will consequentially mean that the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association Act and the Union of Northern Workers Act will also have to be amended. Thus, the proposed amendments to the act will have far- reaching effects.
Mr. Speaker, everyone in the NWT now realizes the depth of our financial problems. Everyone in the NWT realizes that there will have to be cutbacks. Everyone in the NWT also realizes that the way the GNWT does business will have to change. Mr. Speaker, I also agree and know these things. However, Mr. Speaker, I feel that the collective bargaining process should be carried through its culmination, and to introduce this act is a provocation to our employees.
Mr. Speaker, the government knew last summer that it was facing a severe budget shortfall. It is my opinion that the government should have begun discussion with our unions and our public service at that time to work out common solutions to fiscal situation. This was not done and now the 13th Assembly is put in a very difficult situation.
Mr. Speaker, the window of opportunity for the 13th Assembly to balance its budget and to get our fiscal house in order is narrowing, Mr. Speaker, I realize this and I also realize that the changes in the Public Service Act are made to make this so. Mr. Speaker, the far-ranging effects of this one act cannot be contemplated in one day or one week. Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, being introduced before the public service bargaining units sit down to negotiate with the government sets a dangerous precedent for the collective bargaining process in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the history of organized labour in the Northwest Territories has been a colourful one. In the 1990s and the upcoming 21st century, unions will still be needed to provide the checks and balances that are needed in our northern workplaces. After these changes are implemented, the public service union of our employees will be a shadow of its former sell, and that will be a poor legacy for the 13th Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote on the proposed amendment, when it comes to a vote in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Page 67
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, honourable Member. To the principle of Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act. Mr. Erasmus, to the principle of the bill.
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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to indicate that I don't appreciate calls for a question that are happening so quickly. Many people don't understand what's going on here.
I, too, am concerned that a lot of people may be pulled out of the bargaining unit by being classified as essential people. I need to be reassured that this is not a ploy to do that. We have heard reports that perhaps up to 30 per cent of employees may be classified as essential or unable to participate in strikes. I need to be reassured that this is not the case. Thank you.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. To the principle of Bill 2, Mrs. Groenewegen.
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Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The document we are talking about only became public information this past Friday and as a Member representing Hay River and having many respected representatives of various unions in my community, I have not had a chance to go back to them to discuss this with them to hear what other options there may be to this. Unfortunately, when it comes to the recorded vote, I will have to abstain. Thank you.
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Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. To the principle of Bill 2.
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An Hon. Member
Question.
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Question is being called. Are we ready for the question? A recorded vote has been requested. All those in favour of Bill 2, please stand.
Recorded Vote
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Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
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Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Mr. Todd, Mr. Morin, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Antoine, Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Ng, Mr, Henry, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Krutko, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Dent, Mr. Arlooktoo.
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. All those opposed, please stand.
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Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Mr. Roland, Mr. Picco, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Steen.
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. All those abstaining, please stand.
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Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Mr. Rabesca, Mrs. Groenewegen.
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. There are 14 for the motion, six against and two abstentions. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Bill 2 has had second reading. Mr. Todd.
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, placed on the orders paper for Committee of the Whole today.
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Member for Keewatin Central, Mr. Todd, is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) to have Bill 2 moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Are there any nays?
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An Hon. Member
Nay.
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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
There is a nay. Therefore, accordingly, Bill 2 stands referred to a committee. Thank you.
Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, with the Member for Hay River, Mrs. Groenewegen, in the chair.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
I call the committee to order. We will recess for 15 minutes. Thank you.
---SHORT RECESS
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
I will call Committee of the Whole back to order. We're dealing with Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96. I will ask the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd, to introduce the bill.
Minister's Introductory Comments
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Madam Chair. Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, requests authority for additional appropriations of $41.495 million. This supplementary appropriation consists of additional appropriations in the amount of $40.184 million in operations and maintenance and $865,500 in capital.
The significant amounts included in the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, are $16.667 million for Health and Social Services. This amount is to fund increased expenditures for medical travel of $9.032 million out-of Territories hospital charges of $5.004 million and foster care and residential care for children of $3.031 million.
There is also $10.798 million for Education, Culture and Employment, principally to fund a projected deficit or deficiency in the social assistance program of $7.629 million, and increased costs for the student financial assistance program of $1.010 million.
MACA has requested $4.3405 million, of which $2.396 million is for increased funding for the water and sewer subsidy program; $978,000 is a transfer from capital to be included in hamlet operation contributions in settlement funding.
There is $3.9485 million is for Renewable Resources. Of this amount, $3.6835 million is for the various conservation education and resource development expenditures, including the workers' compensation payments for renewable resource harvesters of $1.062 million. The western harvesters' assistance program payments of $1.7215 million and a grant in-kind of 160 bison to the Deninu K'ue First Nations with a deemed value of $900,000.
There is $3 million to finance the increased cost of interest, and Justice requires $1.437 million for a variety of items including outstanding claims under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of $411,000 and funding for the coroner's request of $315,000.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you very much, Mr. Todd. There were just a couple of slips in there, but Madam Chairman will be in order. Thank you. Mr. Erasmus, chairman of the Government Operations Committee, can we please have your comments to the bill.
Standing Committee On Government Operations Comments
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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Chair. The review of this supplementary appropriation is noteworthy for two reasons: first, it represents the first time that a supplementary appropriation has been reviewed by the newly-formed standing committees on Social Programs, Infrastructure and Resource Management and Development; second, for those 14 new Members on those committees, it represents the first time they have had the opportunity to perform such a review.
One prominent theme was common to all three of the envelope standing committees. Committee Members expressed serious concern about poor planning and budgeting on the government's part, especially as reflected by the use of special warrants.
Throughout the reviews, Members expressed misgivings about the nature of the supplementary funding requested by the government. Too often, the items listed appeared to reflect poor planning by government departments, rather than legitimate requests for supplementary funding to cover emergencies, unforeseen circumstances or approved new programs. For example, Members of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development noted that special warrants allow the government to make emergency
expenditures without approval of the Legislative Assembly. Committee Members were concerned and noted that most, if not all, of the special warrant items brought forward were not of a particularly urgent nature.
Madam Chair, Government Operations has similar misgivings. It appears that some departments may be using supplementary funding to fund items that this House may not necessarily approve of. The Members of the envelope standing committees and the Standing Committee on Government Operations intend to be very critical of any further requests for supplementary funding that represent poor planning by government departments.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations intends to arrange a meeting with the Minister of Finance in the near future. This meeting will specifically address the issue of supplementary funding and special warrants and the protocols with which these issues will be reviewed by the standing committees.
Now to cover the issues reviewed by the Standing Committee on Social Programs, I would like to ask the chairman of that committee, Mr. Enuaraq to continue.
Standing Committee On Social Programs Comments
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Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
Thank you, Madam Chair. Many of the items included in Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, were discussed and explained during the Standing Committee on Social Programs review of business plans. Although the committee was concerned to see some numbers were higher than originally anticipated, there were not specific concerns with most of the items.
The only item the committee felt needed to be revised was the huge amount requested for medical travel and out-of-Territories hospitals. The department indicates that the amount was the result of poor analysis in making the decisions about things like savings from the Royal Alexandra Hospital agreement and the nearest-centre policy. They also indicated that in the past, there was nothing in place which encouraged those in the regional centres to be vigilant in attempting to save costs in these areas.
These items were reflected as an overall concern the committee had with many items in the supplementary appropriation. It appears that rather than being careful in planning and accountable for budgeted amounts, departments have been able to get away with shallow planning. The process has not held departments accountable for their planning or lack thereof. Instead, departments have used supplementary appropriations as a way of topping up errors which are a base deficiency or where they were not planned appropriately.
The committee believes supplementary appropriations should be a mechanism for dealing with emergencies, not as an excuse and bail-out for poor planning. Madam Chair, I would now like to ask the chairman of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development, Mr. David Krutko, to continue.
Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Comments
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Madam Chair. In reviewing Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development noted a number of concerns. The most significant was the apparent misuse of special warrants and a previous lack of planning on behalf of the department. Special warrants allow the government to make emergency expenditures without the approval of the Legislative Assembly. Committee Members were concerned and noted that most, if not all, the special warrant items brought forward were not of a particularly urgent nature.
The committee noted three special warrant items totalling $455,000 was spent in the Department of Renewable Resources. The committee was disappointed that the department could not justify why these expenditures, under the western NWT harvesters' assistance program, required the urgency of a special warrant. Committee Members were in strong support of this program, but disagreed with the way in which it was currently funded.
Committee Members were also concerned with a $500,000 special warrant issued to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism for the continued development of the Mortgage Investment Corporation. Again, no justification was presented as to why a special warrant was used to fund this expenditure.
Committee Members viewed these types of items as a misuse of special warrants. The committee, therefore, recommends that the government not approve future special warrants unless a true emergency situation exists and substantiation can be brought forward to the committee. Members would like to remind the government that the current fiscal situation does not leave room for supplemental appropriations and that, in the future, such additional funds will not be readily approved by the committee.
The committee recognizes that planning, at the best of times, is a difficult exercise. Nevertheless, Members expressed their concern that this and future supplemental appropriations not be used in an attempt to conceal poor budget planning practices. Tighter controls will be required in this area and will force departments to more accurately plan for expenditures.
And now, Madam Chair, I would like to ask the chairman of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Mr. Ed Picco, to continue.
Standing Committee On Infrastructure Comments
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Infrastructure noted a number of concerns in their review of Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995 96, the most important of these is the use of special warrants.
Committee Members understand that special warrants were sometimes necessary to allow the government to make emergency expenditures without having to go for approval by the Assembly. However, many of the expenditures made under special warrants did not seem to be particularly urgent.
Of special concern to this committee were four special warrants totalling $3.0625 million for new spending in the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Committee Members are very concerned that special warrants not be misused and, in fact, recommend a review of the legislation governing the use of special warrants and the practices followed to date by this government and previous governments.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Excuse me, Mr. Picco. We just had a request that you slow down a little bit.
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Edward Picco Iqaluit
Sorry, Madam Chair. Following this review, Members will have to consider whether amendments to appropriate legislation will be necessary to ensure that special warrants are used properly.
Some of the items reviewed related to transfers of positions or responsibilities to communities. These included the transfer of community government liaison functions to the hamlets of Gjoa Haven, Pelly Bay and Taloyoak; transfer of an economic development officer position to the Kitikmeot Regional Community Economic Development Organization; and, the transfer of responsibility for property assessment to the city of Yellowknife. Committee Members noted that in the past, positions and responsibilities have been transferred to communities either without adequate financial resources or with financial resources which were later reduced or eliminated. The standing committee recommends that any transfer of positions or programs to communities not be used as a way for the government to reduce expenditures.
One special warrant, whose urgency was obvious, was for $231,500, again in Municipal and Community Affairs, to cover costs associated with the June 1995 evacuation of Norman Wells and Tulita, Fort Norman. However, Members were concerned about the mention of providing compensation to affected businesses. Committee Members want assurances that these funds are not being used to cover items which should have been covered by the businesses' own insurance coverage. While compensation for affected residents is certainly reasonable, the responsibility for protecting a business's finances should not fall upon the government with an incident such as this forest fire.
Another item which should be examined is consistency in accounting and reporting of expenditures among departments. For example, one item listed was the transfer of almost $1 million from MACA's capital budget to their operations and maintenance budget. This is to cover the community dust control program, which was recently transferred from Public Works and Services. This was a capital item in previous Public Works budgets, but MACA has seen fit to move it to O and M.
Committee Members are concerned that this may represent a lack of consistency in the classification, reporting and accounting of government expenditures. The committee suggests that the government examine their standards and policies in this area and ensure that expenditures are recorded in a consistent manner,
I would now like to return to the chairman of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, Mr. Roy Erasmus, to conclude this report.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Mr. Erasmus, I will remind Members, in Committee of the Whole, you don't have to stand unless you wish to.
Conclusion
On behalf of the Members of the Standing Committees on Government Operations, Social Programs, Infrastructure and Resource Management and Development, I would like to thank the Ministers who appeared before our committees, as well as their stall, for their assistance and answers to the committee Members in their review.
This concludes our report on the review of Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if he would like to call witnesses.
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Yes, thank you. In the past, the Finance Minister dealt with supplementary appropriations as a whole. With the new process, we have the Ministers defend their appropriations, which I really appreciate. They are here. We can ask each individual Minister to go to the witness table or deal with it around the table here. I leave it up to you.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Any comments or wishes from the Members in terms of which way you want to do this? Do you want the Ministers who are answering questions to go to the witness table or remain where they are?
---Interjection
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Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Voytilla, the man for all seasons, is here in case there are any technical questions asked.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
So Members agree that Minister Todd bring a witness into the proceedings.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. On my immediate right is Mr. Lew Voytilla who is the Comptroller General, secretary to FMB and all-around good guy. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Are there any general comments on the bill? If there are no questions, could we proceed with the detail?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Executive
Executive Council Secretariat
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Members will find the detail under tab one in your green binders. Page 5, Department of Executive, operations and maintenance, executive offices, Executive Council Secretariat, not previously authorized, negative $77,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Financial Management Board Secretariat
Human Resource Management
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Financial Management Board Secretariat, human resource management, negative $102,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Personnel Secretariat
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Page 7, Personnel Secretariat, not previously authorized, negative $7,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Finance
Revenue And Asset Management
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Under the Department of Finance, operations and maintenance, revenue and asset management, not previously authorized, $3 million.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
What is the interest rate that the Government of the NWT pays to borrow money?
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Our overall interest cost is somewhere in the region of 6.75 per cent.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
It was 6.75 per cent. I was just repeating that. Just to give people a chance at the microphones, we should address the questions through the chair. Any further questions? Mr. Ootes.
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Madam Chair. Is this a fixed rate that is fixed for the term of the revolving loan?
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John Todd Keewatin Central
That is the projected percentage of interest that we are going to pay because it depends on when we go into the market. The market is up and down, as the honourable Member knows. That is an overall projection of what we think our average cost will be. Thank you.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Any further questions? Total department, not previously authorized, $3 million.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Justice
Law Enforcement
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Justice, operations and maintenance, law enforcement, not previously authorized, $465,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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Vince Steen Nunakput
I have a question on the federal firearms act, $150,000. I thought this was supposed to be funded by the federal government under separate funding.
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, the federal government is expected to reimburse us for the expenses we incur on this program. We have been saying that for about three years now. We have been going on good faith. We haven't reached any agreement yet, but that is the expectation and the way they have been conducting business with other governments. We need to put the money up front.
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Vince Steen Nunakput
Madam Chair, in reference to the paragraph on the bottom, it says "Any shortfall between cost and fees collected is recoverable." Are we suggesting that we are now collecting fees under the Firearms Act? I understood that wasn't for a while yet.
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
There are fees associated with programs like this for licences and registration. These programs are expected and normally are covered by the money that is collected. Whatever is not covered by money that we collect by running these programs, the federal government will cover. Sometimes we provide for licences to be issued to people free of charge, sometimes based on different rationale. The federal government usually provides for the costs we incur in these areas.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Any further questions on that item? Law enforcement, not previously authorized, $465,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Legal Services Board
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Lawyer Support Services
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Registries And Court Services
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Page 10, continuing on the Department of Justice, registries and court services, not previously authorized, $41,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Community Justice And Corrections
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Total department, special warrants, $168,000, not previously authorized, $1.269 million.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Public Works And Services
Accommodation Services
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Public Works and Services, operations and maintenance, accommodation services, not previously authorized, negative $5,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Buildings And Works
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Vehicles And Equipment
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Utilities
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Systems And Communications
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Supply Services
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed.
Department Of Renewable Resources
Wildlife Management
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Under the Department of Renewable Resources, operations and maintenance, wildlife management, special warrants, wildlife management, not previously authorized, negative $12,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Conservation Education And Resource Development
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Conservation education and resource development, special warrants, $455,000.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Conservation education and resource development, not previously authorized, $3.2285 million. Mr. Steen.
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Vince Steen Nunakput
Madam Chair, I have a question on special warrants that the government has approved for funding for 1995-96 contributions under the western NWT harvesters' assistance program, $200,000. I have questions, Madam Chair, on all of these. What is, specifically, the harvesters' assistance program and why is it transferred to the association rather than administered by Renewable Resources themselves?
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will address that answer, if I may. In May of 1994, the FMB approved ... Here's the Minister. If it's okay with you, Madam Chair, I'll leave the response to Mr. Kakfwi. Thank you.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Steen will hopefully repeat his question.
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Vince Steen Nunakput
My question was what is the definition of the harvesters' assistance program and why is the funding administered through the associations rather than Renewable Resources themselves?
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, this program came as a result of the land claim negotiations between the NTI and the federal government some six years ago, I believe, in order to break an impasse between the Inuit and the federal government over the harvesters' assistance program that the Inuit wanted to include in their claim and to which the federal government was hanging on. As the government at that time, the GNWT proposed to the Inuit that they were willing to provide up to $15 million over a five-year period to jointly fund a Nunavut harvesters' assistance program of the nature that the Inuit negotiators were proposing.
The program was set up outside the claim and I think this might be the last year in which we're funding. To date, when it's completed, the beneficiaries of Nunavut would have contributed $15 million to this trust fund, and the GNWT would have contributed $15 million. The interest from that money would be used to administer the program and also to provide financial support for hunters and trappers in the Nunavut area and to fund those activities that would support harvesters in pursuing the lifestyle that makes use of the renewable resources within Nunavut.
The Government of the Northwest Territories also provides the same type of support of setting up of similar programs in the western part of the Northwest Territories. When proposals came forward from Dene and Metis communities, we had said we would provide up to $18 million and that the money would be available as communities and regions came forward with proposals similar to those that we had agreed to in the Eastern Arctic. The way the government set it up is we've just said that as a Cabinet or as a government, in the previous government,
that we were good for up to $18 million. But as you can see, whenever acceptable proposals come forward, we deal with them as they come forward, as special warrants. This is the way that it's shown up. If Members are unhappy, then we should come up with an annual allocation. I'm sure the bookkeepers can come up with an acceptable way of doing business.
As I said, in the Eastern Arctic we simply committed to pay out exactly $3 million a year for five years. Here in the West, we've simply identified a maximum of $18 million, but we've not allocated an annual amount that would be available since we have no idea of when and how communities and regions would be asking to access this money.
That's a long-winded answer but you need the background in order to understand where these initiatives come from. Thank you.
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Vince Steen Nunakput
Madam Chair, I have a question...If the program has been going on for five years, why wasn't it budgeted for last year, rather than having to do it through supplementary estimates? If it has been going on that long, how much of the $18 million is left that we can expect in future supplementaries?
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, I think the first year that the program was available, no one applied for the funding. It has just been recently that individual communities and regions have asked to access some of this funding that is supposedly available. Because of the nature of the western part of the Northwest Territories; that is, in the Eastern Arctic there is one claim so it is very to figure out what our annual needs were, it was all agreed to up front. Here in the West, we simply figured out the number of people involved in hunting and trapping and renewable resource harvesting using the same basis for calculating. In the East we used the same basis as in the West. We just figured out the maximum that would be required is $18 million. But there is no single group in the West; in fact, in many regions as you can tell, it's individual communities that are asking to access this money and we've complied with that. If the Member wants to know how much money has been allocated to date and how much these commitments are for, then we can provide that. For instance, most of these are under three-years. This is the first of three-year commitments.
So we can provide that kind of detail. For instance, under the Fort Good Hope Hunters' and Trappers' Association, it shows we're required to provide $220,000 this year. Next year will be another $220,000 and the year after would be just a little less than that. So we can provide that type of a summary for the Member. Thank you.
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Vince Steen Nunakput
Would it be possible to get a breakdown or get it in writing as to how you qualify for this grant; what the terms are for qualification for the grants and what can the money be used for by the groups? I'm not familiar with this program at all in my region. I'm also wondering, Madam Chair, if the $900,000 for Fort Resolution bison is also the same program.
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Yes, we can provide the guidelines that are under the Nunavut harvesters' assistance program, and we can also provide the guidelines we use for the western harvesters' assistance program to the Members here. The $900,000 that's shown as a grant in kind contribution that the Member is referring to is the bison that this government owned at the Hanging Ice Ranch in Fort Smith, that we recently transferred ownership from this government to the Fort Resolution First Nations people. The book value is about $900,000, so we had simply agreed that, in order to get out of the bison business which we didn't want to be in, for largely research capabilities we had basically contributed this to the project in Fort Resolution. We need to show that in our bookkeeping exercises here. Thank you.
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Vince Steen Nunakput
Madam Chair, I'm having a problem. It seems to say to provide funding to record grant in kind of $900,000. Now the Minister is telling me the bison were worth $900,000. Is he suggesting that $900,000 was given to the Resolution band and then received back from the government for the bison? Just how did that happen?
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, perhaps I could ask Lew Voytilla from the Financial Management Board Secretariat if he could explain why we're doing it this way. There's no exchange of money. Having taken one attempt at it, perhaps Lew could be more brilliant and clear.
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Voytilla
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is no exchange of money in this transaction; however, there was an exchange of bison worth $900,000. So our new accounting policies require that to be charged to an appropriation so that that grant in kind is properly authorized through appropriations.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Voytilla. Mr. Steen, does that conclude your questions on this item?
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Vince Steen Nunakput
I understand then that the supplementary appropriation was used in order to give $900,000 for the bison to Fort Resolution.
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Voytilla
Thank you, Madam Chair. The supplementary appropriation is simply to establish a provision to charge the expense so that is recognized when we do give the bison to the Fort Resolution group. It's simply a way of recording the value of the bison, the value of the grant
provided to the third party so that in fact it is properly recorded in our transactions and recognized as a grant.
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Vince Steen Nunakput
I understand now that Fort Resolution doesn't owe $900,000. They just got $900,000 worth of free bison.
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Voytilla
Madam Chair, that is correct.
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Madam Chair. My question relates to the harvesters' assistance program and the fact that there is a liability of a total of $18 million over the years. Has the government budgeted any amounts in the next year's main appropriations?
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Madam Chair. For the ones that have come forward, we've made provision for it. Thank you.
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
I'm concerned about the potential liability if a lot of communities come forward next year to apply, we could potentially add another $3 million there which would really impact on our financial position. The Minister referred to the fact that they could look at doing this differently in the future, and I'm wondering if that could be taken under consideration to advise communities to get your programs in ahead of time so that we can plan ahead of time so that we know where we're going financially, especially since so many comments have been made about special warrants and unwarranted expenditures. Thank you.
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Madam Chair, it's important to point out that the communities must match the grants that they're requesting, and it's not always easy to project when each of these individual harvester groups have the resources to be able to match the commitment that this government made under the previous Cabinet to expend X million dollars in a harvesters' support program. There has to be some flexibility here.
As the Minister said earlier, this program really has only gotten under way this last year and it's taking some time to crank it up. We will do our best to try to project as close and as carefully as we can what we think the eventual fiscal expenditure will be in this field. Thank you.
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Yes. The agreement is, as Mr. Kakfwi spoke about, is similar to the one through the Nunavut land claim. It's a five-year agreement for the expenditure of these funds. So you could say there's a ... (recording difficulties)...
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Madam Chair. Since this issue of buffalo has come up, I just have a couple of questions. I think the figure of 168 bison is probably low, I think it's more in the area of 180. The figure I heard was about $1.3 million in buffalo. So I don't know if this is an accurate figure. My first question would be with regard to the date. When was this grant in kind contribution agreed to?
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, the previous Minister of Renewable Resources signed an agreement with the leaders of Fort Resolution, I believe some time in October or November, I'm not certain as to the date.
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
The reason I asked is that the deadline that was given to the community of Fort Smith to submit an alternate proposal was December 1st. After I was elected and I brought it up and starting pursuing it, I found out that there already had been an arrangement made prior to the deadline and we were sort of left out in the cold. So that's why I was asking about the date. I know the great buffalo capers and the buffalo are all gone, but that has always been a sticky point in the community. I don't know if the Minister would care to respond to that.
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, the previous Minister was not too impressed, I gather, with the great show of enthusiasm by the community of Fort Smith to come up with a proposal. They were, in fact, asked and served notice in May of last year if they would prepare a proposal of some sort, give a letter or some indication that they were interested in acquiring ownership of the buffalo. I believe that late into the fall, the Minister had not yet received any indication from Fort Smith as to their interest or lack of interest, so the Minister felt it was quite reasonable to then take a very well-thought-out and reasonable proposal from the next community. This is my understanding of it. More detail can be provided if Members are interested. I would have to get the correspondence that was exchanged, to be more detailed in my response. Thank you.
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Madam Chair, I have a comment and then another question. I just want to point out that I was on the phone on October 17th on this issue and the deal had
already been done. It just gives me pause to question this date of December 1 st as set by the Department of Renewable Resources. It wasn't set by the community. It's a question of good faith. If they arbitrarily decide because they got a better offer, what good is the Department of Renewable Resources when it comes to deadlines? Do we have any kind of guarantee that a whole pile of these buffalo aren't going to be shipped south right off the top to cover off the investment of the private investor or is there some condition that would keep these buffalo, at least for a while, in the Northwest Territories, or is it just take the buffalo and do what you want?
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, the buffalo were taken possession of by the new owners last week. The new owners also agreed that most of the bison will remain in the facilities that have been constructed in Fort Resolution for this purpose. There are a number of bulls which are considered surplus at this time, so we have agreed to allow these to be shipped south as opposed to transporting them to Resolution and then shipping them south for disposal. There are also a number of young calves that, for feeding purposes, we have agreed to allow be shipped south. These will be returned to Resolution when feeding and weather is a little easier on the creatures. So we did have an agreement and the agreement can be made available to Members if they're interested in taking a look at it.
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Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate Mr. Kakfwi's explanation of the program, but I want to ensure that I have it right. The federal government, in an agreement with Nunavut, put $15 million into a fund, then the territorial government came along and decided they would put $18 million into a similar type of fund.
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Originally, the people negotiating the Nunavut claim were demanding that the federal government cost-share this program with them and there was an impasse for some time. The Government of the Northwest Territories ventured into the claims negotiations and said can't remember exactly what they said, but it was to the effect that we will be the good guys. We recognize the validity and the benefits of such a program. We will cost share it with the beneficiaries of the Nunavut claim. So the federal government is no longer involved in it. This is just a program that this government agreed to cost share with the people of Nunavut through their claim. They agreed to put $3 million a year for five years, $15 million, and we would match it.
Now there is a Nunavut harvesters' assistance fund set up. There is a board of trustees and they will be taking the interest money and setting up programs and deciding how this money will be used to assist hunters and trappers in the Nunavut Territory. Because we did it for the East, we said we should also do it for the West. On a per capita basis, we calculated how much we will provide to Nunavut, we calculated it on the same basis for the West and it came to $18 million. In the West, because there are regional claims and individual communities that want to access it, there is no way to plan how much is available. This program has been available for two or three years now and it is only recently that we have started to have communities interested and willing to provide matching dollars to access this fund. That is how the two creatures are coming about. Thank you.
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Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
I find it rather embarrassing that a government, particularly the Government of the Northwest Territories, would take on the responsibility of the federal government. If someone can't get an agreement in place, we will take that responsibility on and put funds in place. We will do some in the West, too. We don't have a budget in place for an amount of money that is going to be requested of this government over the next few years. I don't think it is going to be a fiscally responsible approach to any organization.
Regarding the $900,000, there seems to be some dispute as to the evaluation. Can I ask who came up with the $900,000 figure or how it was arrived at?
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Madam Chair. On the first comment, I don't know what the Member finds embarrassing about it. The program within Nunavut has been very well received and it is perceived as the first major commitment this government has made in any substantial way in recent years towards supporting those people who make a livelihood from harvesting. There have been substantial contributions to the business sector and huge encouragement to oil, gas and mining by this government. Yet, for the number of people who are engaged in hunting and trapping across this territory, this government has not made what many perceive as a fair contribution to supporting that traditional economy, if you want to call it that.
I don't see anyone being embarrassed about it at all. In fact, the biggest embarrassment for the federal government was refusing to take credit for supporting something as substantial as that. Maybe there is some other ailment that is embarrassing, but I am not sure what it is. Perhaps it is our perceived lack of good financial planning in how to make that $18 million available in an annual allocated sum totalling up to $18 million. We have no way to give marching orders to communities to come in and access this money in a measured fashion.
The way the book value of the bison was done, I am not totally privy to. I understand, generally, that there is a market for bison down south. There are ranchers who raise bison for the purpose of selling the meat. Calves, cows and bulls all have different market value. The age of the bulls, cows and calves give variation to the market value of the beasts.
If the Member wants, whoever did the calculation can be asked to produce the method of calculation if the Member is interested. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
The $900,000, does that come out of the $18 million pot?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, the $900,000 doesn't come out of anywhere, since it is just a figure we are using to show the auditors and to please our bookkeeping practices. There is no exchange of money. We are simply giving away a herd of bison that we own to offset our operational costs, which we don't want to get into anymore. The community of Resolution has spent some money to get into the ranching business. They have a very viable proposal. They have spent a considerable amount of money to get into the business and we have agreed to give them ownership of the bison. For our purposes, we have to show how we dispose of these assets. The $900,000 has to be shown as being paid, as Lew Voytilla explained earlier.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Chair. There was $18 million set up as a fund. If there is a contribution of $900,000 out of that, does that come out of $18 million? Or, is it going to be $18 million plus $900,000 in kind?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
I am sorry, Madam Chair. I didn't answer the Member's question. This $900,000 is not part of the western harvesters' assistance program. If the Member would look further up on the first warrant, that is listed. The Deninu K'ue First Nations has accessed $200,000 under the harvesters' assistance program. That is Fort Resolution. That is a three-year program, roughly $200,000 per year for three years. The $900,000 is simply a figure that has nothing to do with the harvesters' assistance program. It is just to say that we wanted to get out of the bison business and we have. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 18th, 1996
Page 77
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to congratulate this government for having the initiative to establish such a program with regard to this and with regard to the situation we are in. If we earl double the money we are investing, it is getting double the bang for your buck. For investing $18 million in the economy, we are getting $36 million out of it. I think that is a good investment.
For people to realize, especially from the aboriginal communities, the battles we have fought at the negotiating table to establish something like this because it is being established through the James Bay agreement, now through the Inuit agreement and the western aboriginal groups, there are certain tax initiatives in the land claim agreements which address this. I find it personally offensive that it seems like it is always earmarked when anything is associated with an aboriginal initiative such as this to be picked at like we are a welfare state. Anything they do to try to get ahead seems to be picked on by groups that seem to have it all.
It is the same thing with the $900,000 of buffalo burgers. More power to the community. Thank you.
---Applause
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Would anyone like to respond to that comment? Any further questions under this item? Mr. Steen.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Vince Steen Nunakput
Madam Chair, I have a question. I can't understand something. The Ernie MacDonald Land Corporation doesn't seem to be an aboriginal group, but they quality for the harvesters' assistance program as well. Just how well-known this program is...I am not aware of any of my communities --and I presume I am in the western NWT -- having applied for or receiving these funds. I have two questions. Is this program available in my communities? What is the Ernie MacDonald Land Corporation and why do they quality for this harvesters' assistance program?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Madam Chair. The government had sent out letters to different regions and communities. I believe they announced a few years ago that such funding was available. The Inuvialuit communities are aware of this funding and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation may, in fact, be helping to get hunters' and trappers' associations or the Inuvialuit equivalent to find a way to access this money.
The Ernie MacDonald Land Corporation is a corporation in Norman Wells that represents the beneficiaries of the Sahtu claim in Norman Wells. There isn't a great number of them. That is why you see the figure of $32,000. Thank you.
Conservation Education And Resources Development
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Any further questions to this item? I will just repeat that then. Renewable Resources, operations and maintenance, conservation education and resource development, special warrants, $455,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 77
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Forest Management
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Forest Fire Management
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Total department, special warrants, $455,000, not previously authorized, $3.4935 million.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Municipal And Community Affairs
Directorate
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, operations and maintenance, directorate, special warrant, $666,500.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Community Development
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Total department, special warrants, $3.2625 million.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Health And Social Programs
Community Programs And Services
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Health and Social Services, operations and maintenance, community programs and services, special warrants, $3.031 million.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Health Services Development
Health services development, special warrants, $14.036 million.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to comment on health services development. I think $14 million is a lot of money for a mistake. I don't want to see this kind of mistake again in future. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Total department, special warrants, $17.067 million.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Not previously authorized, negative $400,000. development, not previously authorized, $1.038 million.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 78
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Department Of Economic Development And Tourism
Directorate
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Economic Development and Tourism, operations and maintenance, directorate, special warrants, $798,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Chair. Regarding the Mortgage Investment Corporation for $500,000, could we get an explanation what this Mortgage Investment Corporation does and an explanation of the $500,000 please?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Madam Chair. The reason that I would deal with that is that I instituted this initiative while I was the previous Minister.
There will be, I understand, a full briefing tomorrow night for those Members we are interested, and Mr. Grossman from Toronto will be in town.
The intent of the Mortgage Investment Corporation is to provide both residential and commercial mortgages, particularly in the housing field, and it is set up in a way that would permit us to allocate some of the funding to social housing as well as commercial and the conventional developer funding.
The expenditures are based on the research that was necessary to be done to see it, one, we could do it; two, what kind of legislation, if any, was required; three, some of the marketing because we are looking at trying to seed this thing to the tune of about $25 million. We are, at the present time, close to an almost conclusion, if you want, in terms of all the steps that have to be taken to put this into effect, and I believe that tomorrow night, when Mr. Grossman is here, he will give those Members who are interested a full briefing, and they will hopefully see the value of this investment.
We made an arrangement with an investment corporation to utilize Alberta legislation. That speeds up the process by about 18 months. We think it provides another means for capital outside of the conventional banks. It's in keeping with some of the initiatives that we've taken with respect to the sale of staff housing and the requirement for more and more people, particularly in level II and Ill communities, to get greater access to capital, and we believe this Mortgage Investment Corporation will do that. It will also provide, if you want, the private sector and the commercial side with some access to additional capital outside of the conventional banks. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Corporate And Technical Services
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Parks And Visitors' Services
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Chair. I understand that some parks employees are seasonal workers, and they put in so much overtime during the summer that they have to be kept on until past Christmas, sometimes, even though their actual job ends in October or whatever. They are still being paid because they've put in so much overtime. Perhaps if that wasn't the case, we wouldn't be needing to spend another $14,000. We could use that money for those various materials and goods for sale to tourists and park users. Is there any plan in place to offset the way that people are putting in overtime in the parks in the summertime?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Madam Chair. I thank the Member for raising that issue, and it should be addressed through the new business plan development where we're also looking at privatization of the parks in general, so that should be addressed. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Economic Development and Tourism, total department, special warrants, $798,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 79
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Education, Culture And Employment
Culture And Careers
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Education, Culture and Employment, operations and maintenance, culture and careers, not previously authorized, $9.064 million. Educational development, not previously authorized, $1.604 million.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Education, Culture and Employment, total department, special warrants, $122,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Legislative Assembly
Office Of The Clerk
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Legislative Assembly, capital, office of the Clerk, special warrants, $76,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Executive
Personnel Secretariat
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Executive, capital, special warrants, personnel secretariat, $13,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
NWT Housing Corporation
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
NWT Housing Corporation, capital, NWT Housing Corporation, special warrants, $414,500.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Justice
Community Justice And Corrections
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Justice, capital, community justice and corrections, special warrants, $630,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
We were just on the first item on page 25. I think we can go back to page 24 with a question. Go ahead.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Vince Steen Nunakput
Madam Chair, I have a question on the particular house that the government bought, $166,000, and a special warrant to boot. The Housing Corporation. I wonder if I could get some extra explanation on this. Is there a person who was previously from this community, or is he from outside the community?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 80
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Madam Chair. The employee was a resident of Tuktoyaktuk, then he moved out and couldn't sell his home, so per the government's approved employee house purchase program, we are obligated to purchase the house from the employee who couldn't sell it on the private market, Madam Chair. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Vince Steen Nunakput
Madam Chair, does this apply even if it's not a government house in the first place?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Madam Chair. The program is to purchase a private employee's house it they relocate from the community for a government position and are unable to sell their house for what they want within a reasonable period of time. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Vince Steen Nunakput
Madam Chair, I don't really have a question for the Minister, but I do question the program because this is a HAP house. This particular house that he's talking about was a HAP house. The guy might have paid $15,000 or $20,000 for it. I question the program. That's just a comment.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Madam Chair. Under the existing policy, we don't determine where the individual procured his housing unit from. Under the guidelines, if it's a privately-owned unit by the employee, then we purchase it if he can't sell it within a reasonable time and he was to move from the community.
Given what Mr. Steen has said, it is something we can take a look at; whether or not units were paid for initially in large form by the government, whether we're in fact double paying for those units. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
I'll just repeat this one again. NWT Housing Corporation, total department, special warrants, $414,500.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Justice
Community Justice And Corrections
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Justice, capital. special warrants, community justice and corrections, $630,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Public Works And Services
Supply Services
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Public Works and Services, capital, supply services, not previously authorized, $440,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Accommodation Services
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Vehicles And Equipment
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Municipal And Community Affairs
Community Development
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, capital, community development, not previously authorized, negative $568,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Renewable Resources
Field Operations
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 81
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Renewable Resources, capital, field operations, not previously authorized, negative $564,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Forest Fire Management
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Economic Development And Tourism
Parks And Visitors' Services
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Economic Development and Tourism, capital, parks and visitors' services, not previously authorized, $679,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Department Of Education, Culture And Employment
Educational Development
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Department of Education, Culture and Employment, capital, educational development, not previously authorized, negative $364,000.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
That concludes the detail on the bill. If there are no further general comments, are we agreed that we'll proceed with the clause-by-clause review of the bill?
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Clause By Clause
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 82
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Part two, vote 1, operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance, $40.184 million.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
That concludes the clause-by-clause review of the bill. At this time ... Even with my cheat sheet I don't know what to do.
Bill as a whole.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Bill 1 is now ready for third reading. That concludes today's agenda, I'll now rise and report progress. Thank you.
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 83
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. I would like to call the House back to order. Item 20, report of Committee of the Whole. Madam Chair.
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Page 83
Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 1 and would like to report progress, and that Bill 1 is ready for third reading. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Page 83
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Is there a seconder to the motion? Mr. Picco. The motion is in order. All those in favour of the motion, please signify. Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Item 21, third reading of bills. Item 22, Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.
Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Page 83
Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations at 5:30 this evening. Meetings tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. of the Caucus. Orders of the day for Tuesday, February 20, 1996:
1. Prayer
2. Ministers' Statements
3. Members' Statements
4. Returns to Oral Questions
5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
6. Oral Questions
7. Written Questions
8. Returns to Written Questions
9. Replies to Opening Address
10. Petitions
11. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
12. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
13. Tabling of Documents
14. Notices of Motion
15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills
16. Motions
17. First Reading of Bills
18. Second Reading of Bills
19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
20. Report of Committee of the Whole
21. Third Reading of Bills
- Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
22. Orders of the Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Page 83
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, 1996.
---ADJOURNMENT
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