This is page numbers 69 - 100 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 4th 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

Further Return To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this government decided a couple of months ago we should throw $1.2 million in the pot to study some of the effects of a pipeline just like that. So I mean we've been talking about this project for a couple of years as the Minister admitted. When are we going to get off the pot and go forward and make a decision? We could make this decision today. We could take it to Cabinet and have it done before this Assembly, and if we needed to sit here a couple extra days, we could. I think there's a willingness out there. This organization is willing to carry this mortgage, they want to see community development by community organizations, which I have to emphasize is the responsibility of government, but they are going to take control of this and they are going to address the need. So will I get a commitment from this Minister that we will expedite this process because they are waiting for this planning money to move forward? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'll let the Member expedite, we'll move in...(inaudible)...and we'll try to expedite the process.

---Laughter

I'm not sure what pot he's talking about, but the pot I have has some resources in it, both of which are fully subscribed to. We've committed to this process. We've agreed with YACCS on a way to proceed and we're going to do just that. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 82

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Minster Miltenberger. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my questions today are for the Premier. Given the proposal to move the Territorial Treatment Centre out of Yellowknife to Hay River, it's important to a great number of citizens here in the city of Yellowknife. Clients, employees, specialized service folks, are interested to know how a decision like this is arrived at. I would like to ask the Premier what exactly is the government policy on decentralization? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The government has a policy on government organization. That policy does outline how major organizational changes are made. In the case of moving a facility like TTC from Yellowknife, that would fit into the category of major organizational change. That's a decision that's made by Cabinet. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Premier Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Premier and some of his Cabinet colleagues are also Yellowknife MLAs. Does it bother the Premier or bother the other Cabinet Ministers that the information that myself and colleagues of mine have asked for from the Minister about where the research is, what type of studies were conducted into moving the TTC from Yellowknife to Hay River, we just haven't got it? I know the Minister has responded that he's going to get it to us by the end of session, but, Madam Speaker, that causes me a great deal of concern that that information isn't readily available to Members of this side of the House, and I'd like to hear from the Premier if indeed it causes him concern that we can't get the information to make an informed decision. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Ramsay, we may be treading close to a line here. I don't think you can ask the Premier a question in his role as Premier and have him answer it within the context of his role as a Yellowknife MLA. We will go to the latter part of the question and try to ignore the first part. Thank you. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Cabinet has looked at a number of factors in considering this change. The Minister responsible has assured me that he will have that information by the end of the day tomorrow. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 83

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My apologies for crossing the line. It is a pretty invisible line, but I may have crossed it. Thank you. I am wondering if the Premier can let us know, in the government's organizational policy, does that policy speak to strictly moving jobs and programs around or does it speak to clients' needs and program needs?

It is one thing to move civil service jobs out of Yellowknife; that is something, given the chance, I would support, if it made sense. When you look at a program, the clients it is going to impact, the services those clients are going to need, does the organizational policy of this government have that in mind? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

Supplementary To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 83

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, the policy looks at a number of factors, including the government's organizational design, its flexibility to deliver programs, best use of personnel, best use of fiscal infrastructure, delivery of the program closest to the people who are being served, equitable distribution of social and economic and employment benefits around the Northwest Territories.

Madam Speaker, there are a number of issues that we have to take a look at. No one of those would trump all of the others, it would be a matter of looking at everything and saying where can we best deliver the program of the services given all the factors. We must look at them being fair to everybody around the Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 83

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 83

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Given the fact that we haven't had any information, I would like to ask the Premier what information was available to Cabinet Ministers when they made the decision. We haven't seen any information. I would like to ask the Premier what did they see? Where was the research if they had any research prior to making that decision? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 83

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 83

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just listed a number of criteria that is normally considered in making this kind of decision. There is certainly good discussion in Cabinet about all the factors that we would have to consider in relocating TTC and, as I have assured you, Madam Speaker, the Minister responsible will share the information with the Member before the end of the day tomorrow. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Question 45-15(4): Policies For Facility And Program Relocation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 83

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This question is for the Minister responsible for Youth. Knowing that the government must commit to additional investment with respect to youth initiatives for healthy and prosperous communities, why has the government reduced funding for this fiscal year to the point that funds have been exhausted in the first month of this fiscal year? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Minister responsible for Youth, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 46-15(4): Youth Contribution Program Funding For Nahendeh
Question 46-15(4): Youth Contribution Program Funding For Nahendeh
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 83

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, we have many youth programs that we have developed over the years and many new programs. I am not sure exactly where the Member is going when he says that we have reduced funding. We have a budget for youth in a lot of different areas. We have a budget for youth core funding which is dedicated towards providing assistance to larger-scale programs in the different communities and organizations and individuals. We also have the Youth Contributions Program that has money allocated for travel and different organizations. We also have our Volunteer Development Program, our Pan-Territorial Sports Program and the sports and recreation contributions to the communities.

I would have to ask the Member to clarify which program he is indicating, because I do not believe that there has been any reduction. Our programs have maintained their level of funding. We have actually added more programs this year with the introduction of the NWT Games; we also have the Community Initiatives Program that is in place.

The Member may be referring to funding that is allocated to the different regions now that we have changed the process of how applications are handled. Historically, the applications came directly to us in headquarters. We no longer do that. The money is now allocated, for the most part, to the different regions. Of course, the programs are well utilized and well subscribed to. The money does run out early in the year and in this case I believe the Member is referring to a youth contribution application that was made and was able to be funded. That is all I can say on that. Thank you.