Debates of March 12th, 2003

This is page numbers 701 - 746 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th 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 community.

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Amendments To Workers' Compensation Act

Minister Absent From The House

Sittichinli Recreation Complex In Aklavik

Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program

All Weather Road To The Slave Geologic Province

Public Awareness Of New Drinking And Driving Legislation

High Cost Of Rent And Cost Of Living In Yellowknife

Recruitment And Retention Of Health Professionals At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Fiscal Legacy Of The 14th Legislative Assembly

Visit To K'alemi Dene School In Ndilo

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Update On Federal Health Funding

Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Improving Collection Of Mortgage Payments

Seniors' Home Heating Subsidy Program

Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Recognition Of Ndilo As A Separate Community

Gwich'in Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Written Question 4-14(6): Cost Of Wildlife Act And Species At Risk Act Consultations

Petition 4-14(6): Rental Rates And Affordable Housing In The Nwt

Tabled Document 47-14(6): List Of Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 - April 1, 2002 To January 31, 2003

Bill 15: An Act To Amend The Workers' Compensation Act

Bill 14: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Committee Report 9-14(6): "one Land, Many Voices": The Final Report Of The Special Committee On The Review Of The Official Languages Act

Committee Motion 13-14(6) To Accept Recommendation No. 1 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

Committee Motion 14-14(6) To Accept Recommendation No. 2 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 3 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 4 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 5 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 6 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 7 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 8 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 9 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 10 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 11 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 12 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 13 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 14 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 15 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 16 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 17 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 18 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 19 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 20 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 21 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 22 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 23 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 24 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 25 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 26 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 27 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 28 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 29 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 30 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 31 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 33 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 35 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 36 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 37 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 38 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 39 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 40 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 41 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 42 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 43 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 44 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 45 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 46 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation 47 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 48 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 49 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 50 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 51 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 52 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 53 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 54 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 55 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 56 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 57 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 58 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 59 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 60 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 61 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 62 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 63 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 64 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 65 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

Bill 4: An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection Act

Bill 9: Youth Justice Statutes Amendment Act

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003

To Delete $378,000 From Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2003, Under Maca, Operations Expenditures, Regional Operations

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 3: Appropriation Act, 2003-2004

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

The Chair Sandy Lee

It's under tab 11 and I would like to invite the Minister of Finance to make opening comments on the bill.

Minister's Opening Comments

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. Supplementary Appropriation No. 3, 2002-2003 requests authority for additional appropriations of $9,212,600 for operations expenditures and $1.492 million for capital investment expenditures. Major items included in this request for operations expenditures are as follows:

$1.7 million to recognize the additional pension expense in 2002-2003 for the Legislative Assembly Supplementary Retiring Allowance Act;
$4.2 million to clear the accumulated deficit in the petroleum product stabilization fund which is already accumulated in the government's accumulated surplus position;
$900,000 for the additional expenses to be incurred as the result of a negotiated settlement between the GNWT and the NWT Medical Association for general practitioners and fee-for-service positions.

There is no additional reserve for the requests in this supplementary appropriation. This will result in a projected 2002-2003 operating deficit of $116 million. The major request for capital investment expenditures include:

$500,000 for the Department of Health and Social Services for additional expenditures required for the Inuvik hospital;
$335,000 for the Department of Transportation for additional expenditures required for renovations at the Yellowknife airport for new pre-boarding and screening equipment.

These expenditures will be totally funded by the Canadian Air Transport Security Agency. Madam Chair, I am prepared to review the details of the supplementary appropriation document. Thank you.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

The Chair Sandy Lee

Thank you, Minister Handley. At this time, I would like to ask if you would like to bring in witnesses.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

Joe Handley Weledeh

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

The Chair Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Does the committee agree that the Minister brings in witnesses?

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

The Chair Sandy Lee

Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please bring in the witnesses?

Minister Handley, could you introduce your witnesses, please?

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 734

Joe Handley Weledeh

With me is Lew Voytilla, secretary to the Financial Management Board. Thank you.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

The Chair Sandy Lee

Thank you. Welcome, Mr. Voytilla. Are there any general comments?

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

Some Hon. Members

Detail.

Detail

Legislative Assembly

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

The Chair Sandy Lee

Detail has been called. It's under tab 11, page 5, Legislative Assembly, operations expenditures.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

The Chair Sandy Lee

Office of the Clerk, not previously authorized, $351,000.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

The Chair Sandy Lee

Expenditures on behalf of Members, $1.669 million. We are on page 5. We under tab 11, page 5, Legislative Assembly operations expenditures, expenditures on behalf of Members, $1.669 million.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

The Chair Sandy Lee

Total department, $2.020 million.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Department Of Executive

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

The Chair Sandy Lee

Page 6, Executive, operations expenditures, Executive offices, Minister's offices, not previously authorized, $54,000.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

The Chair Sandy Lee

Page 7, Financial Management Board Secretariat, directorate, not previously authorized, negative $25,000.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

The Chair Sandy Lee

Government accounting, negative $23,000, not previously authorized.

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 735

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Debates of March 12th, 2003

Topics

Help us improve OpenNWT