Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
Debates of Oct. 15th, 2008
This is page numbers 1655 to 1688 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 2nd 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 summary.
Topics
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The master plan has been redeveloped with a focus on the seven critical areas. The department feels that we do have a workable plan worked out now. We will go through the new capital planning process, which has a committee made up of officials who will
review this and put it back into the capital planning process. It will progress along with all the other projects that will be put into it that are ready with a concrete plan. This project is at that stage.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
I don’t believe I heard an estimate of when this might come back to us — if it’s three months, three years or 30 years. I would appreciate if the Minister of Health would give me a bit better idea of when we might see this project back in the capital estimates.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Sandy Lee Range Lake
I’m not sure of that. It’s in the mix to be considered for next year’s planning projects.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you for that answer. I will presume that if it’s not ready, it’s not going to come forward, but I appreciate the estimate of next year.
I wanted to also ask a question relative to the Stanton hospital technical upgrades. Has there been any change in that particular project from the Capital Estimates that we saw last year to the estimates we are going through this year?
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Aumond
Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is really the last year of the technical upgrades. The change the Member is referring to, I believe, is that there were a couple more years of upgrades on the books in ’08–09. I don’t have the information with me, but the decision was made to continue with upgrades in ’09–10 for $800,000. Until we get the master development plan finished and we understand what the bigger picture around Stanton is, then that would be the time to fold in what would be remaining of the technical upgrades, if any, into the master development plan project for the renovation of the hospital.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
It’s difficult to ask questions under this new process, but I am given to understand there was a fairly large reduction in the amount of money that is earmarked for the upgrades in this particular capital budget year compared to last year. I guess I just would like clarification from the Minister or from the deputy minister that the reference was made to putting things back in, in terms of technical upgrades once the master development plan is done. I would like to know if what is going to go back in is a minimal amount of money or a fairly large amount of money; i.e., $500,000 versus several million.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Aumond
We have, I believe, taken the technical upgrades over the last several years at Stanton. Over $10 million of upgrades have gone into the hospital over the last number of years, to the point where I think everybody is generally satisfied as to the technical operations of the building. With respect to the upgrades it is where it needs to be.
In ’09–10 we’ll be finishing the last of the major overhauls to the elevators and the biomedical waste handling and temporary storage areas. What needs to happen in the future, under the master development plan and with respect to technical upgrades, at this point I am not sure. But a decision was made. Rather than continue to pick away at upgrades that don’t need to be done right now, we would wait until we have the master development plan completed and then fold it into the project and undertake them all at the same time.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
I thank you for the explanation. I look forward to seeing more expenditures for Stanton upgrades at some point in the future.
I just want to make a general comment. When we made general comments, there was a response from one of the witnesses relative to the fact that we prioritize projects, giving them a number 1, 2 or 3, I gather. I think it was referencing projects other than the ones we are actually discussing.
The fact that we evaluate projects in terms of need is, I think, excellent, and I commend the staff for the work they do there. One of the difficulties I experience as a Member looking at these projects is not knowing how to prioritize one project over another.
Just a suggestion that if it works, perhaps they consider prioritizing and putting a number on a project to indicate the priority, whether it’s a priority 1, 2, 3 or 4. It might assist us in understanding how decisions are made, whether projects come forward or not, or why one project is moved forward ahead of another one.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Clearly, this is a new arrangement process. We’ll be doing a review of how the process worked and how best to present the information. In the substantiation sheets provided to committee, that type of information was provided. If it’s not properly laid out, of course we will be happy to look and make whatever improvements the Members deem appropriate.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Just one last quick comment. I guess I missed it when I was looking at the substantiation sheet, but it would help me particularly if that kind of a priority number was put into the capital estimate document or such other kinds of consolidated material we receive.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
We are on page 5-4, Health and Social Services, Health Services Programs, Infrastructure Investment Summary,
Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $16.003 million.
Department of Health and Social Services,
Activity Summary, Health Services Programs, Infrastructure Investment Summary, Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $16.003 million, approved.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Moving on to page 5-7, Health and Social Services, Activity Summary, Community Health Programs, Infrastructure Investment Summary, Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $4.781 million.
Department of Health and Social Services,
Activity Summary, Community Health Programs, Infrastructure Investment Summary, Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $4.781 million, approved.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Moving on to page 5-10, Health and Social Services, Activity Summary, Program Delivery Support, Infrastructure Investment Summary, Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $3.690 million.
Department of Health and Social Services,
Activity Summary, Program Delivery Support, Infrastructure Investment Summary, Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $3.690 million, approved.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Going back to
Department Summary, page 5-2, Health and Social Services, Infrastructure Investment Summary, Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $24.474 million.
Department of Health and Social Services,
Department Summary, Infrastructure Investment Summary, Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $24.474 million, approved.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Moving on to the Department of Justice, page 6-2, Department Summary, moving forward to 6-4, Community Justice and Corrections, Activity Summary, Infrastructure Investment Summary, Total Infrastructure Investment Summary: $921,000. Before we go to Ms. Bisaro, we’ll just take a five-minute break.
The Committee of the Whole took a short
recess.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
I’ll call Committee of the Whole back to order. Before the short break we were at the Department of Justice, Community Justice and Corrections, and on the list I have Ms. Bisaro.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question with regard to the Inuvik young offender facility. It is indicated that there are foundation
issues with that building, which I believe we were made aware of last year. At the time that we considered the capital and the O&M budgets last year, there was a promise, I believe, to do an evaluation of that facility along with other Justice facilities.
I’m just wondering whether this Minister can advise as to the status of this particular facility, whether or not it can still be used as a secure facility, and if there’s a point in spending money on the foundation issues if it can’t be used as a correctional facility.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Aumond
We have, I guess, a first draft of the engineering report that indicates what the problems are with the foundation and how we can mitigate ongoing problems. We think we can fix the foundation. If we fix the foundation, that should take care of the issues that are impacting the facility today. I can only speak to a building perspective; I can’t speak to whether that facility would be useful for Justice or for the correctional program for the long term. Only Justice can answer that.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you for the answer. I wonder if the Finance Minister would commit to passing this kind of a question on to the Minister of Justice, who isn’t able to be here, and if we could get that information back from some Minister of this House.
Committee Motion 79-16(2) Deferral Of Consideration Of Asset Management Activity In Public Works And Services Capital Estimates (Td 93-16(2)) (Committee Motion Carried)
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Mr. Chairman, I’ll commit that we’ll get the committee members an update on the status of the evaluation of the work that is being done on the facility usage for correctional facilities.