Debates of March 24th, 2004

This is page numbers 237 - 292 of the Hansard for the 15th 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
2004 Federal Budget
World Tb Day
American Gem Society Laboratories Visit
Fort Good Hope Search And Rescue Volunteer Awards Night
Access Road Connecting Highway No. 3 And Kam Lake
Reflections On The 2004 Federal Budget
Observations On The Performance Of Premier And Cabinet
Response To The Federal Budget
Tlicho Self-government Agreement Information Session
Debt Repayment To The NWT Business Credit Corporation
Reflections On The 2004 Federal Budget
Early Childhood Development
Reviewing And Improving Legal Aid
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Highlights Of The Federal Budget
Access Road Between Highway No. 3 And Kam Lake
Taltson Hydroelectric Development
Self-government And Taxation
Surface Cleanup At Giant Mine Site
Formula Financing And Revenue Sharing
Benefits Of The Federal Budget
Business Credit Corporation Loans Arrears
Impacts Of Federal Budget On Small NWT Communities
Written Question 7-15(3): WCB Revenues And Expenses For 2002-03 And 2003-04
Written Question 8-15(3): Sex Offender Registry
Written Question 9-14(3): Reclamation Of Miramar Con Mine
Return To Written Question 1-15(3): Bill Of Intent To Seek Provincial Status
Tabled Document 3-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Invitation To Tender: 2004 Supply Of Mobile Homes
Tabled Document 4-15(3): Gwich'in And Inuvialuit Self-government Agreement-in-principle
Tabled Document 5-15(3): Legal Services Board Annual Report, 1996-97
Tabled Document 6-15(3): Legal Services Board Annual Report, 1997-98
Tabled Document 7-15(3): Legal Services Board Annual Report, 1998-99
Tabled Document 8-15(3): Legal Services Board Annual Report, 1999-2000
Tabled Document 9-15(3): Legal Services Board Annual Report, 2000-01
Tabled Document 10-15(3): Legal Services Board Annual Report, 2001-02
Tabled Document 11-15(3): Action Plan To Strengthen Tuberculosis Management And Control In The Nwt: Status Report, March 2004
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Continue To Provide Base Funding For The Early Childhood Development Program
To Undertake A Quantitative Evaluation On Grade Extensions To Gauge Student Success
Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 23: Orders Of The Day

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Minister.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is no money going to administration. It's all program. No additional staff at all.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Villeneuve.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would there be any change in the levels of funding for these programs?

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Minister.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

No, there is no change to the program. We are still going to have $1,750 maximum per semester for the tuition, for example. This is really related to a volume increase. We've had a significant increase in the number of students who are accessing student financial assistance and so that's really the biggest driver, the numbers of people taking it. The loan side would be driven by cost to cost increase.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I will now move back to page 9-11, advanced education and careers, operations expense, total operations expense, $72.428 million.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 9-13, advanced education and careers, grants and contributions, grants, total grants, $8.578 million.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Contributions, continued on page 9-14, total contributions, $29.903 million.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Total grants and contributions, $38.481 million.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 9-17, education and culture, operations expense, total operations expense, $134.837 million.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Ms. Lee.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. May I get a breakdown for the other expenses there, please?

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Minister.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The travel is $480,000; materials and supplies, $234,000; purchased services, $157,000; utilities, $227,000; contract services, $1.388 million; fees and payments, $563,000; other expenses, $21,000; computer hardware and software, $383,000.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Lee.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Earlier the Minister indicated that the enrolment figures are in and he's seen an increase. Could we get some more information on that, please? Thank you.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Minister.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. These numbers are not completely finalized and that is why I said we would likely be coming back for a supplementary request. In the 2003-04 school year, the contributions to schools was $110.375 million. What we are expecting that will be in the next year is $113.233 million. That's made up of UNW increases, cost for implementing curriculum, updating of average salaries for the enrolment change and to maintain the 15 percent inclusive schooling directive, basically.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Lee.