Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have 15 minutes before we have to leave, so I just have a couple of questions. I would like the Minister to speak quickly on the issue of the block funding formula and the water and sewer subsidy. Where is that and when will it be finalized? Thank you.
Debates of June 29th, 2000
This is page numbers 295 - 364 of the Hansard for the 14th 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 communities.
Topics
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 357
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 357
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 357
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think it would be appropriate to ask the deputy minister to give you brief information on this one. Thank you.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 357
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 357
Murray
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In terms of the work with the six tax-based municipalities, we have had one meeting with them to discuss the concepts of block-funding. We are intending to meet with them sometime later in July to have a second meeting where we can start getting into the detail of the calculations and the numbers. The intention would be for us to include that information as part of our business plan development, which is due to be done by the end of August, early September.
In terms of the water and sewer subsidy policy, the government is taking a look at a number of different utility subsidy programs, of which water and sewer is part of that review. Again, some work is being done on that to coincide with the business planning process.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The reason I asked is that the water sewer subsidy, the matter, as far as I am aware, the community of Fort Smith, which I represent, is the only community in the North who does not get one. When the issue was raised with the former Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, it was suggested the matter would be dealt with through the block-funding negotiations.
At this point, the community of Fort Smith is still standing on the sidelines cap in hand, waiting for this issue to be addressed. Thank you.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we want to look at it during the review. I know this has been a problem in Fort Smith, but the only reason why Fort Smith did not participate in the water and sewer services subsidy was the town of Fort Smith is very efficient at delivering water and sewer services to the residents. As a result of that, they were not participating. Certainly in this new approach and involvement with the tax-based municipalities, we will look at that. Thank you.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess this is the same issue my colleague Mr. McLeod raised, where there seems to be in some instances, you are penalized if you are efficient. The more you spend, the more you get. I do not think that is the trend we want to continue with, because it is not affordable. I look forward to how that turns out.
Could the Minister also speak briefly as well, I know that in our community, and I am sure in other communities, we have some major sewer and water upgrades that are going to be required. In some areas, the systems are 50 years old. Is that process being reviewed at all? Thank you.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Murray
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, one of the items we discussed when we met with the tax-based municipalities SAOs last week was the need to ensure that sufficient money was set aside that could be moved around between communities over time to deal with major infrastructure projects such as water and sewer.
To make that kind of a system work, we are going to have to do some form or prioritizing, so we can make assessing conditions and that type of thing, so we know where the most urgent needs are. It is being looked at.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Regarding the landfills in Fort Smith, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has taken, through their renewable resources officers and the legislation they have in Fort Smith, a fairly strong stand, giving some citations which incurred significant cost in terms of burning and things that have to be done, keeping the landfill sites appropriate in terms of environmental considerations.
I understand this has territorial wide implications. Are there any discussions with Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and the NWTAM? Every community is going to have to fall into line. They need some very stringent standards in terms of landfill sites. It is going to be Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development will be telling you, but Municipal and Community Affairs will be paying for it situation. Thank you.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we are aware of the situation in Fort Smith. The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development have put some conditions in regards to environmental protection, and it is costing quite a substantial amount for the town of Fort Smith to comply with.
The deputy minister has engaged his counterpart in Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to start addressing this. We are looking at it. It does have territory wide implications and it is quite a substantial cost, if that is applied all over the place. So we really have to take a look at this. Thank you.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
The Chair David Krutko
General comments. We are on regional operations, operations expense, total operation expense, $46,654,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Committee Motion 14-14(3): Recommendation For Legislation Requiring Minimum Notification Period Of One Year For Reductions (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 358
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.