This is page numbers 647 - 688 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was ---.

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 684

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 684

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

I believe this concludes the detailed review of this department. Does the committee agree that we defer consideration of the 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 684

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 685

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

I would like to thank the Minister and his witnesses. I am seeking more direction here. Mr. Ootes.

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 685

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Chairman, I would recommend that we carry on with Bill 11, Appropriation Act, 1996-97, and that we cover the Legislative Assembly.

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 685

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Does the committee agree? 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 685

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

I would like to make a motion to report progress.

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 685

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

We have a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is defeated.

--- Defeated

We will move on to the Legislative Assembly.

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 685

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Legislative Assembly

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 685

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

For the committee's information, we are on page 1-9, Legislative Assembly's 1996-97 main estimates. I would invite opening comments from the Honourable Sam Gargan, Speaker.

Speaker'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 685

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Mr. Hamilton, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present the 1996-97 budget for the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly is requesting an expenditure of $9.414 million, which includes a capital budget of $45,000; included in the budget are cost reductions in the ongoing areas of running the Legislative Assembly. Reductions have been made in the Hansard production and printing, catering and security services, janitorial services and audio recording. Mr. Chairman, the committee will also note that there has been a reduction of 4.8 person years, decreasing the permanent staff complement from 33.8 to 29.5.

Mr. Chairman, the budget before you has been streamlined and contains only those items that are of a non-controllable nature and those approved by the Management and Services Board. The budget, Mr. Chairman and colleagues, has no room for movement as every dollar has been assigned. The budget does reflect the seven per cent reduction to all Members' indemnities which was passed by the House earlier this year. It should be noted that there will be further reductions to the budget of this Legislative Assembly to reflect the removal of the three per cent supplementary pension plan. Once the pension acts have been amended as reflected in Bill 10, Budget Measures Implementation Act, 1996-97, and an actuarial evaluation has been completed, I will be in a position to reduce our budget further. At that time, I will bring forward a negative supplementary request implementing the savings that have been calculated.

Mr. Chairman, I am sure Members would be interested to note that the television coverage of TVNC of this Legislature is the most watched program of all programs across the TVNC network. I submit, Mr. Chairman, that, while we have streamlined our language services in the House, we are still broadcasting our sessions in nearly all of our official languages. In fact, we have been requested to expand our coverage to include Committee of the Whole and standing committee meetings. I am encouraged by this as it is always hard, with such a large geographic constituency, to have the electorate see and hear what we, as their Members, are doing.

Mr. Chairman, the Legislative Assembly is unique within the territorial government, but we must continue to recognize and respond to factors such as fiscal restraint, division and the changing nature of government which affects all departments.

However, it must be also remain separate and distinct from the overall government structure in order to fulfil its roles as the legislative body accountable to the electorate. Mr. Chairman, changing the way we do business to improve efficiencies in consensus decision-making will have a constant impact on our operational environment over the next three years. I am concerned that we must be ready for division as a legislative body. To that end, I will continue to ensure that this Legislative Assembly and the Clerk's office is positioned to offer support, training, advice and whatever assistance is requested or required to address a variety of issues. Such issues include electoral boundaries establishment; elections; and, the initial placement of trained personnel for management organizations, for the two Legislatures in 1999. That concludes my remarks. Qujannamiik.

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 685

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. Mr. Erasmus, do you have comments from the Standing Committee on Government Operations? Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 685

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Standing Committee On Government Operations Comments

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 685

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is my pleasure to present the comments of the Standing Committee on Government Operations regarding the Legislative Assembly. Following January's hearings on the first draft of the Assembly's business plan, the committee instructed the Assembly to return with further proposals for reductions. These proposals -- reductions in contracts for such services as security, catering, reduced printing and distribution of Hansard and reductions in the number of Conflict of Interest Commissioners -- have been met and have contributed to the reduction of the Assembly's overall budget.

Reductions in Members' salaries and indemnities are also reflected in the Assembly's reduced budget. Changes to Members' pensions are not yet reflected in the estimates, as more analysis is required to determine the actual expenditure reductions that will result from those changes.

Committee Members had asked for specific proposals to reduce planned costs for paving the capital site in 1997-98 and 1998-99, to be included in the second draft of the business plan. These proposals were not included, and the committee insists that such proposals be presented to the standing committee by June 1, 1996. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Mr. Gargan, would you like to bring in a witness or introduce the witness? Would you like to bring in a witness?

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations 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 686

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

No, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

I know we have the Clerk of the House. General comments. Are there any general comments? Mr. Erasmus.

General Comments

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had indicated earlier that, in the committee's report, the committee wanted proposals to reduce the costs for paving the capital site. I have to indicate that the chairman of the Government Operations committee does not vote on these matters. 1, for one, think that the capital site has to be presentable to visiting dignitaries. I don't know how I would feel if Premier Ralph Klein came here on a visit with Premier Morin and we had to bring him here on the gravel road. Or, if the Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chretien, came here again and he had to again come down the gravel road.

Mr. Chairman, I believe that the road leading into here and our parking lot should be paved. It should be done as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Mr. Speaker, would you like to respond?

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, we don't have any funds allocated for this year regarding the paving program for the Legislative Assembly site. We will have a capital estimate for next year, 1997.

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. General comments. Shall we go into detail? Agreed?

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Line By Line

Office Of The Clerk

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

The Chair John Ningark

Okay. Page 1-10, office of the Clerk, operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance, $4.421 million.

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Committee Report 1-13(3): Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 686

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Detail of capital, office of the clerk, buildings and works, headquarters, total region, $45,000.