Thank you, Mr. Roland. The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.
Debates of March 23rd, 2000
This is page numbers 235 - 268 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 2nd 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 chairman.
Topics
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My understanding of block funding is that the communities receive operations and maintenance funding and capital funding. It is up to the communities to decide on how they spend that. It is not separated. They decide to put it all in the pot, and then decide on how they are going to spend it. It is really up to them. Based on that, it is lumped together at the community level. It goes to them as one cheque on a monthly basis. Basically, that is the reason for the answer. Thank you.
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The numbers they gave us were last year's numbers. But we are going to be approving an interim appropriation. What they have identified here for block-funding tax-based areas is $1,020,000. How is that broken down between the five tax-based municipalities?
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we do not have the detailed breakdown of that amount here. Thank you.
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concerns me. The fact that there is an overall budget amount we are going to approve here, but we do not have the actual amounts going to tax-based municipalities. I guess all I can say is I am lost here. Number one, the committee reviewed this and were not made aware reductions were coming. We find out in this forum that there will be reductions from five to seven percent, and are told at the same time we are unsure of the actual dollar figures going to each of the tax-based municipalities.
We are receiving mixed messages here. Knowing we are nearing the end of the day, I would like to suggest the Minister can talk with the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board and hopefully get all of the facts for tomorrow, unless you have them back at the department.
I would like to get a clear indication as to how that breaks down to each of the tax-based municipalities. Thank you.
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The department does have the breakdown, but unfortunately, due to the quick switch in the departments, we forgot to grab that sheet. We will get that information. Thank you.
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 265
Paul Delorey Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am kind of lost here with this one. I know in the community that I represent, they have a very serious concern about the block-funding formula. It was felt they were being short changed in funding through the formula that was being used.
I was unaware, until now, that there are going to be cuts in the block funding. I know Hay River will be questioning why I did not have any input or question this very strongly during the review of the interim. I am not sure how to deal with this.
You say municipalities were informed of the cuts in block funding. Could you inform me if Hay River was indeed contacted and is aware there are cuts coming in block funding?
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 266
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 266
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand the concern of the honourable Member for Hay River North, regarding the Hay River situation.
During the committee review, we went through it and the block-funding issue was not raised at the community level. We were not able to raise it at that time. However, there is a $10 million cut across the board on capital issues. This affected every community which is not block-funded. Somehow, the block-funded communities have to take a share in the reduction in the total capital. The way it works is that they have an operations and maintenance in the capital, and we have to take a look at it too.
We have to be fair and equal between all of the communities, including the tax-based municipalities. As a result of that, we are going to be cutting them. No, we have not contacted the communities yet. I am sure through this forum here they are fully aware of that.
We did indicate to them through letter form that there were questions raised that the three-year block-funding arrangement is expiring this March. However, because of the municipal financial review, we said we are going to roll over the same amount we were getting previously, but it was subject to cuts through the budgeting process. From my understanding, they are aware of the possibility of cuts, but we did not communicate to them regarding this arrangement. We thought we would wait until the interim appropriation is completed with this department, then contact them. Thank you.
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 266
The Chair David Krutko
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you, witnesses. At this time, I would like to rise and report progress. Thank you.
Funding For Capital Projects
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 266
The Speaker Tony Whitford
The House will come back to order. Item 20, report of committee of the whole. Mr. Krutko.
Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Page 266
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 6, Interim Appropriation Act, 2000-2001, Committee Report 3-14(2), and Committee Report 4-14(2), and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with.
Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Page 266
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Is there a seconder for the motion? The Chair recognizes the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Item 21, third reading of bills. Item 22, orders of the day. Mr. Clerk.
Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Page 266
Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Mr. Speaker, meetings of the Standing Committee on Social Programs and the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development at 6:30 p.m. this evening and tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. Orders of the day for Friday, March 24, 2000:1. Prayer
- Ministers' Statements
- Members' Statements
- Returns to Oral Questions
- Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
- Oral Questions
- Written Questions
- Returns to Written Questions
- Replies to Opening Address
- Petitions
- Reports of Standing and Special Committees
- Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
- Tabling of Documents
- Notices of Motion
- Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
- Motions
- First Reading of Bills
- Second Reading of Bills
- Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
- Report of Committee of the Whole
- Third Reading of Bills
- Orders of the Day
- Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act
- Minister's Statement 1-14(2), Sessional Statement
- Tabled Document 14-14(2), Our Communities, Our Decisions: Let's Get on With It!, Final Report of the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services
- Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act
- Bill 6, Interim Appropriation Act, 2000-2001
- Committee Report 2-14(2), Accountability and Oversight on the 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation
- Committee Report 3-14(2), Governance and Economic Development on the 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation
- Committee Report 4-14(2), Social Programs on the 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation
Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Page 267
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Friday, March 24, 2000, at 10:00 a.m.
-- ADJOURNMENT