Debates of Oct. 23rd, 2002

This is page numbers 1107 - 1140 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Student Financial Assistance
Minister's Statement 78-14(5) United States Energy Bill
United Way Payroll Deductions
Gaps In The Student Financial Assistance System
Family Violence Prevention Legislation
Establishment Of A Dangerous Goods And Waste Management Site In Enterprise
Inuvik Municipal Election Results
Stanton Hospital Nursing Shortage
Stanton Hospital Staffing Shortages
Support For Negotiated Contracts
Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Petition To Address Tenant Rental Increases
Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Seniors' Long-term Care Facility For Fort Mcpherson
Results Of The Acho Dene First Nation Band Council Elections
Election Of N'dilo Chief Darrell Beaulieu
Contributions Of Bob's Welding (1983) Limited
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Seniors' Long-term Care Facility For Fort Mcpherson
Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Stanton Hospital Staffing Shortages
Delta Ice Roads Request For Proposals
Family Violence Prevention Legislation
Federal Devolution Negotiators' Mandate
GNWT Procurement Practices
Contract For Highway No. 6 Upgrading
Hay River Health Care Workers Transfer
Housing Survey Of Core Need
Replacement Of Seniors' Facility In Fort Mcpherson
Tabled Document 64-14(5): Auditor General's Report On The Termination Compensation To Two Senior Officials
Tabled Document 65-14(5): Blank Petition And Backgrounder Addressing Tenant Rental Increases
Tabled Document 66-14(5): Letter From Air Tindi Regarding Water Bomber Contracts
Referral Of Tabled Document 64-14(5) To The Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight
Review Of The Operation And Accountabilities Of The Committee Structure And System
Referral Of Tabled Document 64-14(5) To The Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Defer Consideration Of Regional Operations, Maca Special Warrant In Bill 26 (withdrawn)
To Defer Consideration Of Regional Operations, Maca Special Warrant In Bill 26 (defeated)
Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Bill 27: An Act To Amend The Elections Act, No. 2
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Supplementary To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1116

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not think it is that simple for persons with disabilities to get access for fuel subsidies, particularly through low income.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke earlier in my Member's statement that we as legislators have to be vigilant in remembering the needs of persons with disabilities. Would the Minister please state if he would be willing to open up the fuel subsidy program to persons with disabilities who receive a federal disability pension and fall below the approved income thresholds?

Supplementary To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1116

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1116

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned there is a possibility for individuals to access our income support program which does cover fuel costs. That is available to individuals. Also, Mr. Speaker, there is a Disability Steering Committee partnership which was launched under the direction of the Premier and that has the ADM of Health and Social Services and the Council of Persons with Disabilities as co-chairs. They are putting forward a report that we expect will be brought forward before the year ends.

Through that process, perhaps this issue can be addressed if there is a gap beyond what we can provide, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1116

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1116

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister says that there is a process in place that persons with disabilities can access. I would like the Minister to commit to reviewing this program of fuel subsidies and make sure that this program is available to persons with disabilities using the same criteria that is used for seniors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will ensure that the Disability Steering Committee partnership is made aware of this, I think that is the appropriate process to use in order to address the honourable Member's question.

I totally agree that we need to ensure that we look at this but I want to do it in the proper fashion, Mr. Speaker, by ensuring that we look at the total issue, where the gap may be.

As I mentioned, we have our particular programs in place and if there is an oversight there or a gap then we can address it through the steering committee to see how we address it, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue has been addressed to me on a number of occasions from persons with disabilities. Now that winter is upon us, this program is becoming very much timely.

Would the Minister commit to some timelines to when we can get some answers for persons with disabilities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the Disabilities Steering Committee partnership is looking at November as a possibility of bringing in an initial report, so I can make sure that we address that with the disability steering committee immediately.

In the meantime, if Mr. Delorey has specific cases that we could look at in case of hardship, then we can certainly see what we can do to help out. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Question 383-14(5): Fuel Subsidy For Persons With Disabilities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. the honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 22nd, 2002

Page 1117

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Joe Handley.

As I mentioned in my Member's statement, during the life of this Assembly, there has been a continuous stream of cost overruns, adjustments to capital projects and special warrants for project money not discussed during our business plans.

I would like to ask the Minister, what guarantees can the Minister give to the MLAs and the people of the Northwest Territories that projects that are in the business plans will be completed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to give a categorical guarantee that all projects in the business plan will be completed. I can give the Member assurances that we will make every effort to make sure those projects are completed, but recognize that there are circumstances beyond our control, sometimes that makes it impossible to complete some projects. Thank you.

Return To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Rae-Edzo last year, a single bridge was built because the government would not give an extra $40,000, but I see special warrants are being used in other ridings -- in the ridings of Ministers. I would like to ask the Minister, is the Minister aware of any cost overruns, budget adjustments or special warrants before the next budget session in February? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley -- I am not sure what the question was there, but...thank you. Mr. Handley, a question for you.

Further Return To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, other than those that were tabled and discussed in committee of the whole yesterday, I don't know of any other cost overruns that we are looking at for the balance of this year. There may be some, but I am not aware of any right now. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, are there any departmental plans being developed that might involve special warrants before the next session? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1117

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1118

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, none that I know of. It may give some comfort as well. Yesterday I said that we would give a monthly update on any special warrants, or any special warrants that come forward. I will certainly make sure that we do that. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1118

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Question 384-14(5): Cost Overruns On Capital Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1118

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad the Minister is going to let us know month-by-month what they have already spent, but what is the Minister doing to ensure that there aren't anymore cost overruns on any projects in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.