This is page numbers 661 - 692 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 7th 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 yellowknife.

Topics

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to make a comment about how, over the last few years, this government and the federal government both have changed their thinking in relation to the needs and aspirations of our native population. As many of you may remember, it was not long ago that our native population were not elected and totally forgotten. Many various concerns were being raised over the years. Many concerns have been addressed and others are still being worked on.

This is the point that I am saying, today we have land claims set in only three areas of our territory and one more in the final stages. Recently, on the federal level, many more claims are being worked on and many have finalized agreements. This, I believe, is a complete change in thinking than it was only a few years ago. I would also like to say this is the way of the future, and all departments should see this positive move as one of the opportunity for a strong partnership, investment, and strong human resources. The native population needs the support of the federal government and the territorial government for the initiative to ensure our voice is heard and our aspirations for self government are made a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two returns to oral questions, first in response to Mr. Krutko who asked a question on July 26th in regard to the Yellowknife Correctional Centre.

The Financial Management Board reviewed and approved the Department of Justice's proposal to reprofile the Yellowknife Correctional Centre capital project from enhancement and renovation project to a replacement project on June 4th, 1999.

Ferguson, Simek and Clark, a Yellowknife engineering and architectural company had been retained earlier in the year to complete the functional plan for the proposed enhancement and renovations project. They concluded that it would be cheaper and more efficient to build a completely new facility over a shorter period of time. It was also concluded that further savings could be achieved by sharing plant and services between the Yellowknife Correctional Facility and new male young offenders facility. Savings were estimated at $1.34 million in capital costs and $262,000 annually in on-going operations and maintenance.

The department accepted the consultant's conclusions and proceeded to the Financial Management Board with a recommendation to revise the capital project. According to agreed procedures by advising MLAs and the Standing Committee on Government Operations on capital project changes, the government was obligated to forward information on this Financial Management Board decision of June 4th, 1999. Information was forwarded on July 14th, 1999. An apology has been forwarded to the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations for the delay.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I have also a return to oral question asked by Mr. Morin on July 26th, also in regard to the Yellowknife Correctional Facility.

The Member from Tu Nedhe asked when the decision was made to reprofile the Yellowknife Correctional Facility capital project from a renovation to a replacement project. This decision was approved by the Financial Management Board on June 4th, 1999. The Standing Committee on Government Operations was provided a draft of the supplementary appropriation bill on June 14th, and the Minister of Finance appeared before the committee on July 16th to discuss this matter. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Returns to oral questions, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Oral Question 231-13(7): GNWT Tendering Process
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have three returns to oral questions, the first one here was asked by Mr. Morin and is in regard to the GNWT tendering process.

The Member from Tu Nedhe asked about the expression of interest advertisement that appeared in the Globe and Mail on July 21st, 1999. This ad was designed specifically to solicit interest from registered architectural firms who possess extensive experience in designing podular direct correctional institutions. It was placed after consultation with the NWT Architectural Society. For clarification, I can inform the Member that subsequent to a thorough evaluation process, the Government of the Northwest Territories will provide the northern consultant community with a registry of qualified sub-consultants with a proven background in the complexities of such a program specific facility. In his question, the Member inquired about the tender that was placed in the Globe and Mail. It is important to note that an expression of interest process is different from a tender and does not commit the Government of the Northwest Territories to any contractual obligation whatsoever.

With respect to the sequence of events leading to the placement of the advertisement, I note that the Standing Committee on Government Operations was provided a draft of the supplementary appropriation bill on July 14th, and Minister Dent appeared before the committee to discuss this matter on July 16th, and the ad appeared on July 21st. The Minister of Finance, the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and myself have all noted that the committee should have been notified of the change in this project a few weeks earlier and have apologized for this inadvertent mistake. We intend to do better in this regard in the future.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

The second return is to an oral question, Mr. Speaker, asked by Mr. Krutko regarding the consultation process on capital changes.

The Member from the MacKenzie Delta inquired about the process for informing Members of major changes to the capital plan. Section 4.3 (b) of the Financial Administration Manual states that the respective Minister will advise the appropriate MLA and standing committee when a department makes any adjustment to a capital project that significantly affects the scope, for example, $100,000 or 20 percent of the project budget, whichever is greater or timing, for example, a year or more delay, and no time period is specified. While no time period is specified, normal practice is that letters are sent out within two weeks of such a change.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, my final return, to oral questions asked by Mrs. Groenewegen on July 27th. It is in regards to capital funding for the correctional centre.

All cash outlays to fund government operations and infrastructures are financed from a combination of existing working capital, future revenues, borrowing through short-term credit lines, issuing long-term debt instruments, or financing arrangements such as leases. Except for specific facility leases, financing arrangements are normally based on overall government cash requirements as opposed to borrowing for specific activities or projects.

The $30 million cost of the YCC replacement project will require a cash outlay over the four year project. During this same period, we expect revenues from the exchange of service agreement with Nunavut to be about $18 million. The $12 million difference will have to be temporarily funded from a combination of working capital, other revenues, and short-term debt. Revenues received under the exchange of service agreement after the four year construction period, will replace these financing sources. The interest cost to accelerate the cash flow for this project will be more than offset by the savings that will be realized through the facility replacement approach.

This is why FMB approved the change. The change to the project will not be detrimental to other capital needs. As the Evan's Report clearly established, the YCC project is critical and urgent. It is a significant infrastructure investment that would have to be a priority whether or not offsetting revenues are available. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Returns to oral question. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Krutko, and it is in regards to aboriginal language and cultural specialists in Aklavik.

In addition to teachers, there are three categories of staff who may be employed in schools to work with students. First, there are aboriginal language and cultural specialists who are covered by the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association collective agreement. Specialists must be certified at the time of hire and are required to take ongoing training. These employees are considered teachers under the Education Act and are certified to provide an education program in an aboriginal language.

Second, there are classroom assistants who are covered by the Union of Northern Workers Collective Agreement. Under the Education Act these employees must work under the direction of a teacher.

Third, the district education authority can hire people to instruct local programs as allowed for under section 118 (k.1) of the Education Act. These people are hired on short-term arrangements through the DEA and are not covered by the NWTTA or the UNW contract. The type of compensation available to any staff members depends on which category they were hired under and the type of work they are doing.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment contacted the Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council in May about the situation in Aklavik. This is an issue to be resolved between the Divisional Education Council and the District Education Authority. The department commits to raising the issue with the Divisional Education Council and ensuring it is resolved before the beginning of the school year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognitions of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize the visitors we have from TransCanada Pipeline Executive as well as the Minister from the Government of Alberta. First the Honourable Mike Cardinal, the Associate Minister of Forestry.

--Applause

Also, from TransCanada Pipeline Executive, Bob Reid, the senior vice-president of Northern Development; Ton Turner, the senior vice-president and president international; Jake Epp, the senior vice-president of Government and External Affairs; Brian Mcnulty, the associate general counsel for Energy Transmission and Robert Day, the vice- president for the public sector relations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a former Member of this House, Mr. Pete Fraser of Yellowknife.

--Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ootes.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity to recognize our Pages and to thank them for the excellent work they are doing here with us this particular week. First of all I would like to introduce Lindsay McIvor, Gwendolyn Birch, Kyla Schauerte, Kyla Wright, Leann Bussell, Richard Walsh, Brian Sosiak and Erin Olovson-Cleveland. I would also like to recognize the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. Joseph Oullette, for the good work he is doing with the Pages. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. I do have a problem with the Pages being recognized in the Chamber, it is not recognizing visitors in the gallery, so just to remind the Members that these types of statements could have been better served by doing it in a Member's statement as opposed to recognizing them on the Chamber floor. I would like to remind the Members of that.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Morin.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mrs. Esther Braden who is the chairperson for the NWT Seniors' Society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to recognize the rest of the people in the gallery, welcome to the Assembly. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be to the Minister of Justice. In previous sittings of this Legislative Assembly as well as when we all came here a little over three years ago, Mr. Speaker, we had agreed on a process, we had agreed on a consultation process of developing policies,

developing programs, any major changes. I believe our government in the past have been censured for changes to the capital budget before but what I am wondering, Mr. Minister is, when did you meet with the social programs committee to consult with the social programs committee on change of renovation to the Yellowknife Correctional Centre compared to a brand new building? Thank You.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 243-13(7): Consultation On Correctional Facility Change
Question 243-13(7): Consultation On Correctional Facility Change
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to recognize that the decision to locate the young offenders facility was made last year under the previous Premier. The decision was made by Cabinet and FMB to locate a young offenders facility here in Yellowknife, this brand new facility. That decision was made here at that time. I think it is important for the public to know that the decision to do major renovations to the adult facility was also made in the previous Premier's tenure in the amount of $30 million, no different than what we are talking about today. So we should be clear about that.

As a new Minister of Justice since April, I have taken the time to revisit the decision by the Cabinet made last year to locate the young offenders facility here. I visited some of the facilities down south. I have revisited all the arguments made as to why it should be made here. And I have decided that it is not in the interest of the inmates or the staff of this government or the public for me to ask Cabinet to revisit that issue.

On the adult facility, the adult facility is located here. Again, last year, Cabinet decided to spent $30 million renovating this particular facility. It was such in scope that you could say we were trying to build a brand new car piece by piece, and it got to the point where after the decision was made, budgeting this project at $30 million, we contracted a firm to do more detailed costing of what it would cost this government to build such a facility, and it actually came in. This was done after the decision was made. Over the course of the winter, the consultants came back and said, in fact, it would cost you $35 million to do major renovations such as you are proposing. It is, in fact, cheaper to build a brand new facility over four years at $30 million. Thank you.

Return To Question 243-13(7): Consultation On Correctional Facility Change
Question 243-13(7): Consultation On Correctional Facility Change
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Morin.

Supplementary To Question 243-13(7): Consultation On Correctional Facility Change
Question 243-13(7): Consultation On Correctional Facility Change
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister, in his long-winded speech passing the buck and taking no responsibility for decisions he makes, it is completely amazing to watch. But the question was, and I will try to keep it simple so he can understand it, the question is very clear, when did you meet with the social programs committee to consult with the major change of a renovation to a new capital project? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 243-13(7): Consultation On Correctional Facility Change
Question 243-13(7): Consultation On Correctional Facility Change
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.