Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am not going to bring my witnesses in; I have answered a lot of questions on this issue. I will be here by myself. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Debates of May 27th, 1996
Topics
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. We will proceed with buildings and works, Keewatin. This was a deferred item. Total item, $2.172 million. Mr. Krutko.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With regard to the Rankin Inlet residential subdivision, $1.535 million, and to the financial situation we're in -- cutting back on roads, highways and services -- is there a possibility that we can cut in that particular area and put it towards the deficit?
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We can't do it for this year but we can look at it in another year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
May 27th, 1996
Page 675
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do you mean you can't do it for this year because the money has already been allocated or because you want to look at it down the road? That means there's an additional $6 million we're looking at for future years. I'm not too clear on that. You don't want to do it or ... My question in the first place was, is there a possibility of cutting that and putting it towards the deficit.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At this time, I'm not prepared to cut from this capital plan. However, we can discuss next year's cuts.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
--- Agreed
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
The Chair Vince Steen
I believe the other deferred item is total buildings and works, $6.616 million.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
--- Agreed
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
The Chair Vince Steen
That concludes the detailed review of this department. Does the committee agree that we defer consideration of this program summary until consideration of Bill 10, Budget Measures Implementation Act, 1996-97, has been concluded?
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
--- Agreed
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
The Chair Vince Steen
I thank the Minister for answering questions. Can I have some direction from the committee? Mr. Henry.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that we go on to the executive offices, if the Minister is ready.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 675
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
--- Agreed
Department Of Executive
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 676
The Chair Vince Steen
The Department of the Executive, executive offices is on page 2-9. I would now ask the honourable Premier, the Minister responsible for this department, to provide opening comments on his department's estimates.
Minister's Introductory Remarks
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 676
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to be here today to discuss with you the main estimates for the Department of Executive, executive offices, for the year 1996-97. This budget is built on the priorities and strategies of this government and reflects the current fiscal reality. I am confident it is the best approach, given the job we have to do and the resources we have to do the job.
A few of the key features of the budget are:
- The focus is on our core responsibility, which is to provide service and support to the Premier and Cabinet and its committees to ensure that the broad strategic directions of government are implemented.
- The Personnel Secretariat has been downsized and amalgamated with the department.
- Regional operations have been eliminated; there is funding in 1996-97 to help make a smooth transition.
- Remaining regional council funding has been eliminated. Instead, funding for regional leadership meetings is available in each region.
Mr. Chairman, the department's overall budget for 1996-97 is $11.672 million and 78.5 PYs. This represents a reduction of 22 per cent of our O and M funding from the previous year and a cut of 54.1 PYs.
The budget is broken down into these three main activities:
1. The Commissioner's office is budgeted for two PYs and $226,000.
2. The Ministers' offices activity is budgeted for 23 PYs and $3.716 million. This includes the Premier's and Ministers' offices, Women's Advisory and the press secretary's office.
3. The Executive Council Secretariat is budgeted for 53.5 PYs and $7.730 million. The secretariat includes: financial and management services; legislation and house planning; Priorities and Planning Secretariat; official languages unit; Division Secretariat; and, Personnel Secretariat.
In addition, the department's budget includes $587,000 in grants and contributions. This funding is distributed by the Women's Advisory to the Native Women's Association, the Status of Women's Council of the NWT and various women's initiatives.
Mr. Chairman, there are no funds allocated to capital expenditures.
Decisions to downsize and streamline the department are consistent with the department's core responsibilities. One example is in the area of regional operations, where the process is under way to transfer remaining funding for GLOs to communities. Further, in keeping with increased ministerial responsibility and the need to reduce the cost of government in this time of fiscal restraint, regional and area director offices are being closed. Regional superintendents will have the authority and responsibility to take the lead on matters within their Ministers' mandates. Steps are being taken to ensure that delivery of government programs and services is maintained and that communities and regions are not adversely affected by these changes. In the process of the upcoming budget planning cycles, the department will continue to streamline and divest itself of functions not directly related to its core responsibilities.
As I mentioned, a key feature of this budget is the integration of the Personnel Secretariat into the Department of Executive. The Personnel Secretariat has been downsized and the remaining functions integrated into the department's Executive Council Secretariat. The department will establish guidelines for staff recruitment and hiring and monitor for compliance. However, the responsibility for recruitment will be with departments, boards and agencies. This will give managers increased authority to manage. Training and assistance will be provided to departments to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibility. In addition, advertising funding will be distributed to departments on an equitable basis.
Mr. Chairman, it is never easy to cut a department's budget and eliminate PYs. Some tough decisions have to be made and issues are bound to arise; however, given our financial targets and our focus on our core responsibilities, I believe that this is the right budget.
That concludes my opening statement. Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to answer any questions Members have. Thank you.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 676
The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mr. Morin. I will now ask Mr. Henry for comments from the Infrastructure committee.
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 676