This is page numbers 2821 - 2866 of the Hansard for the 16th 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 agreed.

Topics

The House met at 1:37 p.m.

---Prayer

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, on November 27th of last year, our government began an

expanded partnering approach with the Northwest Territories’ three diamond mines to identify ways to attract skilled workers and their families to the Northwest Territories and to advance training and travel initiatives to allow more Northwest Territories residents to be employed in our mines.

This approach was formalized in a Workforce Initiative Memorandum of Understanding that is now guiding our collective efforts to further the development and retention of a diamond mining workforce in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, our agreement with the diamond mines reflects our goals as the 16th Assembly to

provide all communities and regions with opportunities and choices.

Our work under the memorandum of understanding also supports our stated priority to maximize opportunities from resource development. This includes promoting the Northwest Territories as a place to live and work.

Convincing fly-in/fly-out workers to make our Territory their home is a key step that would service to enhance the sustainability of our Northwest Territories economy and grow the population of the Northwest Territories. We are currently defining and

prioritizing the steps that we will need to take to encourage mine employees to stay and live in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has come a long way since 1996, when our first diamond mine began construction.

Northwest Territories residents have realized 13,000 person years of employment, half of which has been aboriginal employment. Training programs, many in partnership with the mines, have grown to prepare the young and vibrant workforce that exists today.

Innovations like the Mobile Trades Training Lab and the new Underground Miner Training Program ensure that we keep up with the needs of our growing industry and Territory.

The Workforce Initiative Memorandum of Understanding was an important next step. It provides a framework for a strong and positive working relationship that will help government and the mines find more ways to develop the skills and capacities of our residents for industry and attract even more new residents to the Northwest Territories.

One of the key themes that has emerged in our ongoing discussions is the need to find affordable means to expand pick-up points in the Northwest Territories for mine employees. The mines are now looking at ways to remove transportation barriers that will enable expanded employment beyond core recruitment areas and especially from the Northwest Territories northern regions.

In addition, the GNWT and mines will be conducting a survey in late spring with mine employees. This will help identify some of the barriers the Northwest Territories currently faces in retaining these employees in the North. From there, we will be able to work towards addressing the barriers and perceptions that are impacting northern residency.

While our work continues, Mr. Speaker, it is, admittedly, challenged in the short term by the existing economic downturn that we are in. However, in recognizing the cyclical nature of this downturn, it is critical that we work to counter its impacts and, as much as we can, keep building

capacity in our people, business and communities and by doing so, our economy.

We cannot have a healthy and vibrant economy without people. People empower our businesses and provide the market for goods and services that will create more businesses.

This memorandum of understanding is a collaborative investment with our diamond mines to increase northern employment and to attract and retain people to our Territory. Our steering committee will be meeting again in March and I look forward to keeping the Members of this Assembly informed as we move forward with this important initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise Members that the last bags of uranium-contaminated soil from Tulita were received at a licensed waste disposal facility in the United States earlier this year.

---Applause

The uranium ore was mined at Port Radium from 1942 until 1960. It was transported in bags down the Great Bear River by barge, portaged by truck at the rapids and loaded onto another barge. Tulita was used as a transfer point for the ore because of its location at the confluence of the Mackenzie and Great Bear rivers. During transfer, ore leaked from the bags into the soil at Tulita.

Cleanup of the uranium-contaminated soil began in the 1980s. The soil was placed in a mound in a secure area near the Tulita Airport while the federal government determined a final disposal option. In 2006 the contaminated soil was packaged into water-resistant bulk storage bags for eventual transport to long-term storage or disposal.

Last October the bags were finally loaded onto barges and transported to Hay River for shipment south to Grande View, Idaho.

Mr. Speaker, I’m advised that Mr. Gordon Yakeleya, whose yard was remediated during the cleanup, loaded the last bag of uranium-contaminated soil onto the barge.

It’s taken 15 years to get the contaminated soil removed from the community.

I would like to commend MLA for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya, for his work in persuading the federal

government to expedite the removal and disposal of the uranium-contaminated soil.

---Applause

Tulita was not the only contaminated site along the northern transportation route used to ship uranium ore from Port Radium to Waterways, Alberta. Other sites can be found at Sawmill Bay, Great Bear River, Bell Rock, Fort Smith and Fort Fitzgerald.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials will continue to work with the federal government to expedite the continued cleanup of the remaining sites along the northern transportation route. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Import Substitution Policy
Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to discuss import substitution today; what it is, the opportunities it presents and the support for it that is available to people and businesses from this government. Import substitution is simply making or finding things we need from local and regional resources instead of shipping them here or importing them from far away. For example, instead of importing beef or pork from southern Canada or Australia, many people get their meat from the land, from moose or caribou, bison, ducks and grouse. Some people heat their homes with firewood they collect themselves or purchase from the local provider instead of importing extremely expensive heating oil from southern Canada. Most people drink local water rather than bottled water from far away.

Substituting imported stuff with locally derived and locally made stuff has many amazing and positive spinoffs. First, the money exchange happens within the community or the region. It’s well known that money spent locally circulates within the community, accelerating its value to the local economy six or seven times. This means, of course, that there are more jobs within the community and options for making a decent living. The resources that are being used, water, forest, wildlife, et cetera, are looked after better because they are being used regularly, monitored by the users and their value is known and recognized. The land and water is healthier and people are healthier. Further, the skills of people using local resources, either collecting them or using them to

make into value-added products increases, and with increased skills there comes an entrepreneurial spirit that further builds economic options for others.

Finally, making and deriving products from local materials draws on all the people of a community, their traditional and non-traditional knowledge and skills, and results in the strengthening of social ties and social health. The cooperative community is a strong one.

People and businesses can take advantage of the opportunities presented by the concept of import substitution by accessing funds to support their work or to start an import substitution business. A good example is the SEED program, or Support for Entrepreneurs in Economic Development, housed in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Are you interested marketing fish locally, growing and selling vegetables, cutting your heating and power costs by generating your own heat from firewood or solar panels?

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Import Substitution Policy
Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, are you interested in these opportunities to use local resources for your own business or your own home? The SEED program and incentives provided by the Arctic Energy Alliance, the Energy Conservation Program in Environment and Natural Resources and other programs exist to help people take advantage of these opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, let’s go further. Rather than shipping crude resources south, let’s start refining products here. Let’s manufacture goods and capture the jobs in our own communities.

Mr. Speaker, straight-on conventional subsidies often support things that are not good for us and that do not promote the multiple goals of this government and our people. Let’s become effective, do the full cost accounting and subsidize things like import substitution to the benefit of our people, our economy and our environment. Mahsi.

Import Substitution Policy
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Dehcho Process
Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Dehcho Process is very important to the future of the Dehcho and the future of the NWT. My constituents, as members of the Dehcho First Nations, are becoming increasingly concerned that

this government, by conferring with the federal government, is not helping the Dehcho begin a fair and reasonable negotiation of the Dehcho Process.

Canada has refused to continue talks because the Dehcho First Nations want to complete the land use plan for their territory before moving forward with land selection. Our government, the GNWT, seems satisfied with this delay in talks at the main table. Currently, there is growing pressure for the Mackenzie Gas Project to proceed for the benefit of Canada and, more importantly, for our North.

As you are aware, 40 percent of the pipeline passes through the traditional lands of the Dehcho First Nations. This means that our government must be more supportive in accommodating the Dehcho First Nations if there is a desire to see that pipeline a reality.

I find it shameful that the Government of the Northwest Territories claims to represent the people of the North and that our GNWT claims to care about the environment and waters of the North, yet they are doing everything within its means not to support the people of the Dehcho in their efforts to preserve some of their lands and waters for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is time this government started acting on behalf of the Dehcho. It is in the interest of all Northerners to move the Dehcho Process forward. The fastest way to do this is to ensure that the land use plan is taken seriously by the federal government and ours and completed as stated in the Interim Measures Agreement.

I ask my colleagues on the other side of this House to remember that they have an obligation to the people of the Dehcho. The time has come for this government to actively support the objectives of the Dehcho and to be proactive in accepting that the land use plan is important to the Dehcho Process and the system in conveying this to Ottawa.

Dehcho Process
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unless you live in a small, isolated community such as Sachs Harbour, most people will never know what it’s like to not have regular access to a doctor. In the Nunakput community of Sachs, residents have been without a doctor since October or November. That is five to six months ago. That is a shame on this government.

The Inuvik region has not been able to fill their doctor positions and the shortage has affected all areas and communities. I ask this government during shortages such as these, why it is always the small, remote communities that are left out and not getting their fair share. We all know how fast medical conditions can progress. Even after only one or two months, the situation could mean a matter of life or death. Our community health centre staff and nurses are working very hard in trying to ensure the best medical service that they can provide.

Elders especially have difficulty travelling to regional centres. Elders need to have regular checkups, even when things seem to be going well. Elders need our commitment to provide consistent, continuous, and adequate medical services.

This government needs to get serious about medical services provided all across the Territory and not just the regional centres. This government needs to ensure that the shortages of experience in the small and remote communities aren’t always bearing the brunt of it. This government needs to vote resources to ensure all the problems, such as administrative policies and procedures, are not hindering the medical administrative staff from providing the services that are desperately needed.

I will have more questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak today about the federal government’s announcement of a Northern Development Agency. It was supposed to consolidate existing northern development activities into one. The federal government has also stated this agency will have funding of $10 million per year with the possibility of millions more for other strategic investments in northern economic development. I would like to know exactly what our government is doing to get this office located in the Northwest Territories.

We have the advantage of being centrally located between our neighbours, Yukon and Nunavut. We are poised to be the economic engine of this country well into the next decade with the possible construction of the Mackenzie Gas Project and the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

I’m very thankful that the federal government is looking positively at northern Canada and is going to be making substantive investment in our three

northern territories. However, I believe that our government should be taking more action to address the other hundreds of jobs located in Ottawa and Gatineau, Quebec, that pertain to northern development. I take issue with the latest job postings looking for five senior policy advisors and five senior analyst positions all located in Gatineau, Quebec. Directly from one of the postings is, “the organization will lead the development and implementation of an integrated Northern Strategy that will focus on strengthening Canada’s sovereignty, protecting our environmental heritage, promoting economic and social development, and approving governance so that Northerners have greater control over their destinies.” These 10 positions are, again, located in Gatineau, Quebec. Not Iqaluit, not Whitehorse, and not Yellowknife.

This is just an example of jobs that should be located north of 60. Almost all of the northern oil and gas activity is located in the Northwest Territories. So why is it that 29 positions dealing with northern oil and gas are again located in Gatineau, Quebec? Why don’t we hear this government making some noise about any of these positions? Just with the 39 positions I’ve spoken about today, with an average family size of 2.5 and a transfer payment of $22,000 per person, that would mean an additional $22 million in transfer payments and an additional $4 million injected into the local economy.

It’s high time we sit down with the federal government and discuss the jobs pertaining to northern development that are located in Ottawa and Gatineau and get them where they belong.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While the Olympic Games are an international celebration of sport, sporting events such as these often attract people who traffic and exploit others for profit. I’ve received many letters from constituents and others who are concerned about this problem and who want to see action taken by Canadian governments that will prevent human traffickers from using the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver as an opportunity to exploit trafficking victims.

In 2007 The Future Group, a Canadian, non-government organization that works to combat human trafficking and exploitation, released a report entitled “Faster, Higher, Stronger: Preventing Human Trafficking at the 2010 Olympics”. The

report highlights how human trafficking increased both in Germany during the FIFA World Cup and in Athens at the 2004 Olympics. In Germany, extensive prevention campaigns, immigration controls, and law enforcement efforts prevented a significant increase in human trafficking. In Athens, where measures were not as extensive as those taken by Germany, there was a 95 percent increase in human trafficking victims identified by Greek authorities.

The report also makes the following recommendations for the Government of Canada and British Columbia to strengthen existing efforts to combat this modern form of human slavery: Deter traffickers and potential commercial sex users by implementing effective public awareness campaigns before, during, and after the 2010 Olympics; disrupt trafficking networks and prosecute traffickers through a coordinated and proactive law enforcement response at all levels of government; prevent human trafficking by identifying victims in transit through border controls and comprehensive training for border agents; and, protect trafficked persons by providing safe housing, counselling, legal aid, temporary residence status, translation, and medical assistance.

These measures are long overdue. Even without the 2010 Olympics, the RCMP Criminal Intelligence Directorate estimated, in a 2004 report, that 800 people are trafficked into Canada each year, 600 of which are destined for the sex trade. An additional 1,500 to 2,200 people are trafficked from Canada into the United States annually. The majority of these victims are women and children.

The Government of Canada has taken several steps toward combating human trafficking, such as making it a Criminal Code offence, adopting measures to provide protection to victims, and introducing legislation to prevent work visas from being used to traffic women.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

The B.C. government has recently created a special office to deal specifically with this problem. However, to date not a single person has been successfully prosecuted for the offence of trafficking in persons under the Criminal Code and only a handful of victims have received protection through Citizenship and Immigration.

The 2010 Olympics is an opportunity to show the world that Canadians are against human exploitation. I urge the Premier and Minister of

Justice to raise this issue with his federal and provincial counterparts and ask that they step up their efforts to protect victims of trafficking and prosecute those who seek to exploit others.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon I’d like to highlight the contributions the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre makes to Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. Since its incorporation in 1970, the Tree of Peace has worked to improve the quality of life for aboriginal peoples in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories by facilitating self-determined social, health, educational, recreational and cultural programs.

The Tree of Peace Friendship Centre is a non-profit charitable organization. Its 13 full-time employees are committed to developing and delivering programs in response to community needs. The community wellness programs focus on addictions, providing awareness and preventive functions, as well as assessments, counselling, referrals, and aftercare. Five community wellness workers conduct support groups, as well as home, hospital, and street visits on a daily basis. They provide an adult education program which gives adult learners the opportunity to complete academic upgrading and prepare for GED exams.

The Tree of Peace posts job opportunities in their office and the Outreach Employment Program assists clients with resume writing, career counselling and offers information on education and apprenticeship opportunities. Through its year-round Community Assistance Program, the Tree of Peace helps elders fill out application forms for fuel subsidies or pension plans and offers interpreting and letter writing services. Between February and April, clients can get assistance filing their personal income tax returns.

Mr. Speaker, the Tree of Peace makes a special effort to reach out to youth. Its urban multi-purpose Aboriginal Youth Committee offers addictions counselling and an elders-youth healing circle. This assists youths with employment and educational needs. Every year the Tree of Peace offers four to six youth the opportunity to attend the dream catchers conference in Edmonton, Alberta, and awards two $500 Linda Grey memorial scholarships to aboriginal students entering a post-secondary institution.

Mr. Speaker, the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre has been a meeting place in our community for nearly 40 years. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage Members of this Assembly and the public to applaud the Tree of Peace for their hard work and dedication. Their services make a difference and helps empower the next generation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After yesterday’s theme day in regards to income support and housing, I have received a lot of phone calls from my constituency in my riding on the comments they heard from the Minister of ECE in regards to results of a survey that his department received in regards to clients being happy with services that they provide.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents are not aware of such a survey that took place. More importantly, they are not satisfied with the service they are receiving in regards to income support and housing. With that survey that was conducted, they would like to suggest to the Minister of Housing and the Minister of ECE, if you really want a survey, come to our communities, have public meetings and hear what the real clients have to say about programs and services in ECE and Housing.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we do make such an effort to ensure that we hear firsthand from the residents of our communities and the real clients that are receiving these so-called services.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we do hear from those individuals. As we all know, one of the top issues we hear whenever we have a constituency meeting or have a Minister in our ridings is the area of housing and income support.

Mr. Speaker, again, more to resolve such an issue, I think public meetings probably will be needed in all communities of the Northwest Territories and get a real survey done by way of the public having an opportunity to say what are the services that they are receiving, and in some cases the services that they are not receiving.

I will use an illustration, Mr. Speaker. An individual who applied for unemployment insurance received it just this Christmas and was told, well, because you have such a big cheque from unemployment insurance, now we are going to charge you economic rent. Again, that is another area that this

government has to be aware of. We are taking money from the feds that we pay into and the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking it back by charging people market rents because they are on unemployment insurance. Again, Mr. Speaker, that is just one illustration of the problem with this system.

I would like to ask the Ministers of ECE and Housing to take up the challenge of the residents of my riding and have public meetings in my riding and hear what the real clients have to say. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have learned of yet another gap in the authority of the rental officer as laid out in our Residential Tenancies Act. The rental officer is empowered by this act to consider problems brought to his attention by either renters or landlords and to render decisions on these conflicts. He generally deals with matters such as unpaid rent or interpretations of the conditions of a rental agreement. Most people can appeal to the rental officer for an intervention and decision to solve their impasse. However, the Residential Tenancies Act does not provide for the rental officer to deal with anything encountered by renters and landlords of transitional housing. There is no definition in the act for the term “transitional housing” or “transition home,” so the rental officer has no authority over this kind of rental premise.

Transitional housing is intended as a stepping stone in the continuum of housing possibilities, a waypoint on the route from homelessness to homeownership. Yellowknife has a couple of transition homes, most notably Bailey House and the one run by the Centre for Northern Families. A recent disagreement between a renter and a landlord of a transition home has highlighted that there is no avenue of appeal for residents in this situation. The rental officer refuses to consider any conflict where transitional housing is involved, and rightly so. He cannot consider intervention under the Residential Tenancies Act because there is no provision identified. This just points out another area where the only avenue of appeal for residents is to go to court, a rather unlikely prospect for most people. It is another reason for the establishment of an ombudsman.

The other solution and probably much cheaper, Mr. Speaker, is to amend the definitions in the

Residential Tenancies Act to provide for a definition of transitional housing. I know that amendments to the act were completed just last spring and that the Minister will probably tell me that no one brought this matter up when the amendments were being reviewed and discussed. That may be so, but is it not incumbent on the department when amending any act to anticipate and consider all possible situations and ensure that the new act will cover any eventuality for many years to come? I say yes it is. That did not happen last year, Mr. Speaker. Transitional housing was missed and the Justice department needs to revisit the Residential Tenancies Act and make the changes necessary.

All NWT renters and landlords should be covered by this act, no matter what type of accommodation they are in. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to say on behalf of the people in Tulita and people in the Sahtu that we want to say how appreciative we are to Minister Miltenberger in terms of the removal of the contaminated site in Tulita. Mr. Speaker, when I became the MLA in the Sahtu, I was driving around with some people in the community and then, at one point in my travels, I worked with my uncle Gordon who looked at the contaminated soil in Tulita. When my uncle and I went to that site close to the airport, he looked at it and was talking about it. Tears were running down his eyes. I said, how come? What is going on? He said, this contaminated soil was in our yard from our grandfather who raised us as children. I remember playing in that yard when I was young, not knowing that this site was being contaminated with uranium. When my uncle was talking and he was crying, he said, every time I come by this site, it brings me hard times in terms of what this site reminds me of. My grandfather died of cancer. I’m not sure if it is related to the contaminated site. Also, my uncle’s, one of his youngest sons died of cancer. I’m not too sure if that is related to the contaminated site. My grandmother also had cancer. I wasn’t too sure if it was related to the contaminated site. My uncle fought hard to see if something would get done to remove the contaminated site. Through last year, witnessing and having him haul the last piece of the contaminated package onto the barge was a significant joy for him.

Mr. Speaker, there are other sites in the Sahtu that haven’t been looked at right now. There are other departments within the federal government that contaminated our land in the Sahtu that needs to be looked at. I am going to ask questions to the Minister in terms of how he is working with the government and the Government of Canada to clean up their mess in the Sahtu and also in the Northwest Territories that, for once, we know that government is listening to people. However, it takes a little time, but on behalf of the people of Tulita and Sahtu, I want to thank the Minister and from my family also for doing something right in terms of cleaning up the government’s mess. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Conflict Between Health Care And Dental Plans
Members’ Statements

March 4th, 2009

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about a situation of a Northerner who is caught between her dental care plan and the NWT Health Care Plan. It is a very unfortunate situation. She has a tumor in her mouth. Her dentist referred her to a dental surgeon. The dental surgeon had said she needs a biopsy and likely a removal of this growth. The reality of the situation is that care can only be provided in the South. The bad news is her dental plan won’t pay for that. They see it as a medical problem.

Mr. Speaker, so we are all assuming that she now needs to start again in the system while her family physician will have to look over this file and try to get access through the NWT Health Care Plan, but we don’t know for sure. Of course, the obvious fear is that the Health Care Plan will turn around and label it a dental problem.

Her appointment is scheduled by the specialist for April 2nd of this year, so time is short. Help and

support will be needed from the Department of Health and Minister Lee. Mr. Speaker, I can only hope that this problem doesn’t follow the usual pace, what I often describe as moving at the speed of government. Mr. Speaker, I assure you that is no compliment. I am hopeful that her family physician will respect the treatment recommendations of the dental surgeon and refer this patient to get the biopsy and, if necessary, the surgery to remove this tumor. But as we all know, paperwork is paperwork. The thing to consider is if this tumor was anywhere else on her body, it would be covered immediately and there would be no questions asked. Hopefully, the GNWT Health Care Plan and the Medical Travel Plan will accept this and, indeed, help her through this system of process. Hopefully, no one

will try to squabble with the patient’s insurer about treatment and the payment method while she sits idly by on the sidelines waiting for a clear decision of responsibility. I’m hopeful common sense will prevail.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I hope the Minister today can confirm that this dental care has become medical care and that she will help this person through the system to make sure that this specialist appointment won’t be missed, with one organization pointing fingers at another, that she so desperately needs. Mr. Speaker, assistance from the Department of Health is needed and all we need to hear is that she will look into it and help them through this problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today people from all over the Territories and Alberta will be gathering to participate in the 26th Annual K’amba Carnival on the Hay River

Reserve. They will be celebrating and enjoying some fun in the sun and the longer, brighter days.

This annual event is organized by many dedicated volunteers who donate their time and energy to showcase one of the bigger events of the year. Each year the K’amba Carnival Committee organizes the annual winter activities for the first weekend in March. This is when the reserve comes together to celebrate with people from all over northern and western Canada to participate and to compete in indoor and outdoor events. They have many activities that include games such as snowmobile races, dog sled races, dances, children’s events and talent shows for all to watch and join in.

Mr. Speaker, our winters are long and cold and our hardworking volunteers keep the traditions strong by organizing events for the people to shake off the winter blues. I invite people to come out and join the fun this weekend at the Hay River Reserve because it’s K’amba time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to acknowledge and thank the many volunteers and the sponsors and the participants, as well as the contestants in the search for a K’amba Queen: Ms. Lorna Fabian, Ms. Dawn Nessel, Miss Rayleen Lamalice, Ms. Miranda St. Jean. Also mahsi cho to the organizers: Diane Tourangeau, Victoria St. Jean, Jennifer Lafleur, the K’amba Carnival Committee, Chief Alex Sunrise and his council and all the people of the

K’atlodeeche First Nations. On behalf of the people of the Deh Cho, I would like to wish everyone a safe weekend and fun time at the carnival. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize one of my brothers, the mayor from Hay River, His Worship Jean-Marc Miltenberger.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Mr. Patrick Scott, a former resident of Nahendeh. Welcome to the gallery. Mahsi.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Menicoche. I’d like to welcome everyone in the gallery today. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings. Item 7, acknowledgements.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Colleagues, it gives me great pleasure today to acknowledge a long-time Northerner, a friend and a constituent, Mr. Ken Hunt, who is celebrating his 90th birthday today.

Ken moved to the North with the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1942 and settled in Clyde River. Ken’s last posting with the Hudson’s Bay Company was in Fort Vermillion in 1954. Ken married his late wife, Peggy, in 1947, and they moved to Hay River in 1955. Ken was employed as a fisheries officer for many years. Together, Ken and Peggy raised their four children in Hay River. Ken cherishes his 11 grandchildren and he is a great-grandfather to 12, with three of his great-grandchildren being born in Hay River.

Ken has been a proud member of the Hay River Fire Department since 1968. He is a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 250, and Ken was an avid curler for many years.

Ken’s family is hosting a birthday party for him this evening at the Hay River Fire Hall and I am sorry

that I am unable to attend and share a piece of cake with him. Colleagues, I ask you all to join me in wishing Ken all the best on his way to 100.

---Applause

Item 8, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my Member’s statement I spoke about the frustration of the Dehcho and the frustration of the leadership in negotiating their Dehcho Process with the federal government. Also, they share frustration for our government, too, because they’ve seemingly taken sides with the federal government.

I’d like to ask Mr. Premier, will this government commit to work and support the Dehcho as they desire to move forward with their Dehcho Process? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Dehcho Process has been underway for quite a number of years and the position has been put out there and discussed quite a number of times. The Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to helping where we can with trying to come to conclusion in this area. The self-government mandate is one that is established by the federal government when they structure the frameworks. We’re involved in a number of areas when it comes to program services and some land issues. We continue to work with the Dehcho First Nations in the areas that were at the negotiation table, but we also work with the communities involved in that process as they have their discussions as well with the federal government. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

In my Member’s statement I spoke about our government conferring with the federal government. I am aware that when the federal Minister of INAC seeks advice, that they often call our government. What I’d like to ask the Premier, Mr. Speaker, is when that happens, he’s going to have to acknowledge that the Dehcho are our people, our people of our Northwest Territories, as well, and that he has to show them support and not just listen to the federal side of the equation. With that, Mr. Speaker, will this government commit to this House and to the people of the Northwest

Territories that they will support the Dehcho First Nations in working for a balanced and fair Dehcho land use plan which places the highest priority on protecting watersheds and ecological sensitive areas? Mahsi.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

I’m not sure if the Member’s trying to have me speak to establishing new mandates with the Government of the Northwest Territories. The balance that we bring to the table is the fact that there is an existing land claims self-government discussions that have happened. There are quite a number of them going on. There are models that have been agreed to in the past and past mandates established that have not been changed. In fact, as time has evolved, that is one of the reasons why one of the departments I work with, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, is looking at reviewing those mandates and working with Members on those pieces. We have to come to the table looking at the, as the Member said, for the best interests of the people of the Northwest Territories and making sure we have a workable system for the people of the Northwest Territories after all the self-government tables have been discussed and concluded. At times that means we differ from different regions or communities on their initiatives. But for the interest of all the people, we try to come to the table with a balanced approach that would mean the agreements can be implemented and that the regions and communities have the capacity to fulfill what has been negotiated.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

I guess the perception of our government that is out there, and I would just like to quote really quickly, is that when one of the participants in our leadership meeting in Fort Simpson last week said, “I don’t like the federal government, and the territorial government is right there behind them.” That’s a frustration that they are seeing with the Dehcho Process negotiations. That’s how they see our government. I’d like to ask the Premier once again, will the government change their mindset about not only helping the federal government, but it’s time to start helping the Dehcho people and the Dehcho Process?

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

The area that we’ve been involved with in a number of cases, and yes, we’ve heard that in the past, and even at some of the meetings that are held from time to time, about our position. The simple fact is this government has taken a different approach. We’re looking at the big picture. We’re looking at what the possibilities in the North can mean when we have clarity, when it comes to self-government discussions and trying to help bring those to conclusion. That’s why we’ve established the regional leaders meeting tables and in fact, through those tables have begun the joint work on the Land Use Management Plan as well as the Water Strategy, through those tables. In fact,

that is again where we shared our information around the self-government financing issue. So we’re working with the aboriginal governments across the Northwest Territories to come with a common front from a northern perspective so that we can approach the federal government so that they can see how we want it to work in the Northwest Territories. So we are working with the First Nations and aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories to come up with a common approach when it comes to engaging the federal government.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That’s exactly the point I’m getting at. For this government to indicate that they’re sincere, they have to be working with the Dehcho leadership and believe in the Dehcho process as well. This government has to step up to the plate. We’re going to have to see this process begin on a fair and reasonable rate. So I’d like to ask, will this government commit to continue to increase their working relationship with the Dehcho and assist them beginning their Dehcho negotiations process?

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

We remain, the Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to the negotiation process coming to a conclusion with the Dehcho First Nations around the Dehcho process. That’s a set of negotiations that is ongoing. There are a number of other factors that have come to the table as well. For example, ADK has now opted out and want to do their own process. Once that happens we have to decide if we engage at that level as well. We know from past history that not all the time have the federal government negotiators had the best interest of Northerners at heart when it comes to this table, so we have to be at the tables that get established. As I stated, we are committed to the negotiations process and reaching an agreement with the Dehcho First Nations around that process. That is why there have been a number of departments involved in the Dehcho Land Use Plan and working through that avenue as well.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve received a number of calls from constituents regarding the levy on plastic bags announced earlier this session. While most agree that the levy on the bags isn’t a horrible idea, they do suggest that the 25 cent charge is a little excessive. Five

cents or 10 cents seems to be the going rate for plastic bags in other jurisdictions. Most believe the quarter is probably a little too high as a starting point. Could the Minister responsible for ENR please tell me how ENR came up with the 25 cent charge as opposed to using a rate similar to other jurisdictions like 5 cents or 10 cents?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We looked at the range of prices, the success rate, and the final decision on the 25 cents was mine as Minister.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Twenty-five cents seems a little excessive. It might be more appropriate when fewer people are using bags. Has the Minister ever considered using maybe a tiered implementation starting at a lower rate in the beginning and then maybe moving up to 25 cents as more people stop using the plastic bags and move more into permanent recyclable bags?

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

The purpose of the levy is to be a significant enough deterrent to make people keep in mind as they’re going to go shopping the need to look at alternatives, reusable bags and such. The concern is, in other jurisdictions with the low fee they found that after a relatively short spike people just consider the five cents incidental and it does little over the long term to deter the kind of use that we’re looking at trying to do. The Member sent me an e-mail just before coming into the House with the suggestion about a tiered approach, a phased-in approach, and I’ve already sent that to the department. As we look over the next number of months, we’ll consider that option as well.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

I get the intent and actually support the intent, but there are two ways to get into a room. One is to kick the door in, smash it, go running in screaming. The other is to knock on it softly, open the door, and go in so you don’t scare everybody in the room away. I think the way the Minister’s going is the first option and I think it’s going to scare a few people. I think if we were to approach this a little bit slower and go with a tiered approach we might have more buy-in in the long run and less resistance.

I’m asking the Minister if he would commit to actually reviewing the decision and implementing more of a tiered approach so that people have a greater opportunity to become familiar and make some choices rather than being smashed over the head.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

The Member for Great Slave clearly is in a violent frame of mind today. Kicking in the door, smashing people over the head. We’re talking about a 25 cent levy on a plastic bag that some Members have called the bane of our existence. At every community and everywhere I’ve been, people have been pushing us to get rid of them. Sometimes when you knock softly and you open the door a crack and see if it’s okay to come in, people might just tell you to get lost. So this is an issue whose time has come. This is a deterrent. This is a consumption levy. People don’t have to spend 25 cents. That’s a very simple personal choice. But I will commit to the Member, like I said, he sent me the e-mail just shortly before we came into this House, and we will seriously look at that as we roll out the next number of months to get ready for the implementation in the fall.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Justice. I spoke in my Member’s statement about the inability of someone in difficulties with their landlord if they live in transitional housing and their difficulty to have any avenue of appeal that the rental officer can’t handle that kind of complaint or concern. I’d like to know if the Minister is aware of this problem.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. When the Member asked me earlier if there were any issues pertaining to the appeals process, at that point in time I did speak that there wasn’t any application in that respect. I haven’t heard much in that area as we speak. I can certainly double check with my department again to date on where we are on the status.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure whether or not the department or the Minister’s staff are aware of it, but there’s a fairly recent example within the last three months of a renter in a transitional home who had difficulties with the landlord and was unable to get satisfaction from the rental officer. He refused to deal with the problem. I would like to ask the Minister, I realize that amendments to the act are a fairly lengthy process, but I’d like to ask the Minister if he can think of or know of any other possibility that could be instituted in the short term to solve this problem.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Yes, this process can be quite lengthy. At the same time, I’d like to hear the story behind what the Member is alluding to with this individual, what the status is on that particular case and dealing with the rental officer, because we have to go through the rental officer as well. The mediator. Certainly I would like to hear more from the Member on the status of this individual.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

I thank the Minister for wanting to look into this. I can advise him that he needs to talk to the rental officer, who should be well aware of the problem because he’s the one that refused to deal with it. I appreciate that he’s willing to sort of look and see whether or not there’s anything that needs to be done.

I guess in the long term my perspective is that amendments to the act are necessary and I’d like to know if the Minister will commit to looking into making amendments to the act.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

The legislation came into play just last June. We did make some changes with the Residential Tenancies Act. We will be going through another business planning process. I’d like to inform the Member that we are open to ideas and suggestions. If there are going to be amendments to the legislation, then it needs to come before this Assembly.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for being willing to look at it. Business plans are a long ways away. We’re looking at business plans perhaps in November and before they get accepted and passed through the House, we’re looking at least a year and a half from now. I’d like to suggest to the Minister that we certainly could make amendments to the act a lot quicker than that. So is there any possibility, in his mind, that we could get some sort of an investigation of this problem and a possible amendment in maybe six months from now?

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

It hasn’t been a year yet since we’ve initiated this legislation. We’re going through the implementation stages as of yet, and here we are talking about making another amendment to the legislation. We will certainly take that into consideration and review it. As I indicated to the Member, this will be part of the ongoing business planning process. If we need to make changes, we will come back to the Assembly.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Premier. It gets back to my Member’s statement where I was talking about the Northern Development Agency. Six months ago Prime Minister Harper announced during the election campaign that this would in fact happen. It was also mentioned in the Throne Speech in November and more recently in some discussions with federal Ministers. I’d like to ask the Premier where exactly the Government of the Northwest Territories is at when it comes to discussing the location of this Northern Development Agency office with the federal government.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for that question because it does go towards our whole discussion about devolution of authority to the Northwest Territories. In the Member’s statement he highlighted quite a number of things. It further emphasized the fact why we need to get devolution to the North for northern governments to be making decisions about what happens in our front yard, not in Canada’s backyard. So we continue to work with the aboriginal governments and groups along with the federal government on quite a number of issues, trying to see if we can move together on that initiative.

Specifically on the area of the Northern Economic Development Agency there has been quite a number of discussions. Number one, our first role was to ensure that there was a role for the Government of the Northwest Territories. We know this Northern Development Agency is to be focused on Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon. So we want to ensure that we had a voice at the table and had some input. The other area that’s probably more important to the next steps is where is the location. We have had a number of meetings ourselves with the federal Ministers and I’m hoping to have a discussion with Minister Strahl in the upcoming days. We’ve already started making the business case that because of our location central to the North and the economic opportunities in the Northwest Territories, that it makes absolute sense that that agency be based in the Northwest Territories.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

I thank the Premier for that. I’m happy to hear that we are having these type of discussions. It’s interesting for me how we get to the front of the line and how we make the case that the Northwest Territories should be the location for this office. I’d like to ask the Premier when the

federal government is expected to make a decision on the location of the Northern Development Agency office.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

With these set of discussions that are happening I’ve been in contact with Minister Aglukkaq, who has the northern file. I’ve been in discussion with her, trying to get more information and we’ll do the same with the call I’ll be having with Minister Strahl about the timing of this and making sure that our business case is being looked at.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

I thank the Premier again for that. In some dialogue with federal Ministers in press clippings and whatnot they talk about the development of this Northern Development Agency and bringing in other aspects to northern development under one roof and all in one. In my Member’s statement I talked about this is quite specific, but 29 positions in Gatineau, Quebec, related to oil and gas in northern Canada. Those positions are located in Quebec and I’m wondering what type of discussions our government is having with the federal government to address other jobs as they relate to northern Canada. These bureaucrats in Gatineau have never set foot in northern Canada. They belong here. I’d like to ask the Premier that question.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

When it comes to the federal government and the work they do on behalf of Northerners, whether it’s Nunavut, Northwest Territories or Yukon, that is something that we have pursued quite a number of times and that is, again, one of those areas that falls within devolution. We went through an exercise, or the Government of the Northwest Territories went through an exercise in previous governments to identify all the positions that are in Ottawa or Gatineau to look at their involvement and the decision-making they had within the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut. We identified quite a number of positions and made the pitch to have those positions moved north. Unfortunately, there weren’t a lot of those that moved north. In fact, we’ve only seen minor incremental increases within the DIAND headquarters or office set up in the Territories. It’s stuff like that that keeps us making the pitch to build our business case and further involve our partners in the North, aboriginal governments to come up with a united front when it comes to the approach of the federal government. I would say in fact that recent calls I’ve had with people like Charlie Furlong, who has talked about the need to work together and come up with a common approach when it comes to engagement with the federal government, and I couldn’t agree more.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

I couldn’t agree with the Premier more. Even though we don’t have devolution, these positions, and I spoke of 10 other positions -- a senior advisor, senior analyst positions -- that were posted recently for Gatineau, Quebec, again, these people are making decisions on behalf of Northerners in Gatineau and Ottawa. Even if we don’t have devolution, I think those positions, there’s no reason why they couldn’t be located in one of the three northern territories. So I’d like to ask the Premier if he will sit down again with the federal government and his colleagues in Nunavut and Yukon to come up with a plan to address which jobs are located in Ottawa and Gatineau and get those jobs into one of the three northern territories or spread them out or do something. They do not belong in Gatineau, Quebec.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

The more this session goes on the more we’re in agreement with where we need to go in our approach with the three territories, ourselves, and the First Nations within the Territories. We will continue and I will commit to working with the Premiers. I will commit to working with the regional aboriginal leadership within the Northwest Territories to coming up with an approach that makes sense and builds our business case on a common front of what we see moving to the North and engaging the federal government on that.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of ENR. We had a briefing today from the Pembina Institute for appropriate development on the tar sands entitled, “The Waters That Bind Us: Transboundary Implications of Oil Sands Development”. We learned that the NWT has only one transboundary agreement right now and that’s with Yukon. Major developments are proposed in the headwaters of the Peel River watershed with big implications for downstream communities of Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson, and so on. Yet the agreement with Yukon has no teeth, even though we have it. Northerners are obviously very concerned about this. Will the Minister commit to renegotiating that agreement and establishing some real teeth, some binding agreements in the Yukon transboundary agreement with specific targets on water quality and quantity to protect NWT watersheds and people?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Agreement was signed in 1997. We’re one of six signatories: the federal government, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. As well, there’s aboriginal representation. It was signed almost 12 years ago now in a different time and different place. The sensitivity about water has gone up by orders of magnitude. We have been pushing for a full meeting on the Mackenzie River Basin Board to talk about the transboundary agreement, to talk about the bilaterals, to talk about how do we move forward with integrated watershed management. We’ve been raising the issue at the FPT table for a National Water Strategy. We have it on our list of things to do. It’s not something we can do unilaterally. It’s going to take cooperation and it’s going to take the commitment and buy-in by a lot of players, especially for us and the federal government.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I appreciate the comments from the Minister. As I mentioned and as he is well aware, this is a very strong and emotional and meaningful issue to the people of the North. Are we also fighting for a seat at the management table for the tar sands development given that we are most vulnerable and, of course, immediately downstream from these developments? Are we fighting for a seat, a major voice in the participation of the management of the tar sands development?

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Our first and major focus of attention has been to move forward and get this Northern Voices, Northern Water Strategy developed with buy-in for the aboriginal governments that will lay out in considerable detail the principles and all the key areas and issues of where we want to focus our attention, how we intend to move forward, and what will be our policy base as we look at negotiating the bilaterals, looking at other areas we want to be involved in on a transboundary nature, as well as to be able to better guide our thinking as we look at all the resource development in the Territory. That has been our focus. We haven’t asked for a seat at any particular management table in Alberta.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I’d also like to, well, perhaps I could, Mr. Speaker, for clarification, do I only have a couple questions left here? Perhaps I could request that the Minister commit to working to establish ourselves at that management table given that these transboundary agreements will undoubtedly take many years. They’ve already taken decades. I’m sure with this Minister at the helm it’s going to take a lot shorter time than that now. But, nevertheless, we can expect it to be years. Would the Minister go for a role at the management table so that we can actually protect ourselves? These water bodies, these toxic ponds

measured from the satellites are perched right on the shore of the Athabasca and can crumble at any time.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I would like to submit that we have through the Premier accessed at the highest level and, as myself as Minister of Environment, I also have the ability to deal directly with my counterpart in Alberta. I know the intent of the Member would be to have us sitting on a working basis at the table. For us to do that we have to do the first fundamental foundational work, which is to get that strategy in place, get the policy accepted, and then map out how we’re going to deal with transboundary issues, both through the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Agreement as well as a more one-on-one relationship with the Province of Alberta.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for those comments from the Minister. I appreciate that the Premier is at the table, but I have to make the observation that here we are in this situation. If the Premier was at the table, how did this happen? I really do think we need to try to do something fairly quickly to address this. I’d like to ask the Minister, they’ve just started a review of the tar sands development at the federal level. I’m sure they’re looking for input. Will this Minister aggressively participate in that review and offer the perspectives of Northerners on what they’re feeling with the vulnerability to this development?

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I became aware of this committee that the House of Parliament is setting up. I’ve asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to give us a briefing note that I can take to Cabinet for consideration about looking for possible standing at the committee hearings to be able to make the case for concerns about integrated watershed management, the need for the National Water Strategy, downstream concerns, and all those very fundamental and pressing issues.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue I raised today in my Member’s statement is quite a pointillist problem. I’m not trying to distemper the system, but the fact is often the problem is created in the process. Certainly the Department of Health isn’t the issue here, but I

want to make sure the Department of Health doesn’t become the issue in the sense that it becomes timely and the process overtakes the problem. The issue right now is my constituent’s trying to get an appointment with her doctor. That doctor will need time to review the file. That will require time for consideration. That will require more time for arranging specialists. We all know here, quite clearly, that when you try to navigate the system by getting a hold of a specialist in certain time, that’s a very valuable thing when you get an appointment from the specialist.

Clearly saying that the Department of Health isn’t the issue, I just want to make sure that if my constituent hits the wall when they try to get this appointment and support from their doctor to get a referral to the specialist, will the Minister of Health and Social Services be willing to keep a watchful eye on this file to make sure that she gets the support she needs and the treatment of this tumour?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure if there has been...We do not know right now what she could be eligible for or not. Right now I think it’s important for the Member to advise the constituent to contact Inuvik office. Specifically the insured services specialist. There is a process and the staff there who can help her determine what she’s eligible for.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

That’s a hopeful answer. I’m wondering if this file can go through the Minister’s office. The fear of losing a specialists appointment in just a few weeks is a reality out there. Again, it’s not the fault...The process needs to go through its normal steps and checks and balances, but again specialist appointments are very difficult to get. Would the Minister allow the paperwork be flowed through her office on this issue?

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

As soon as we are out of the House here, because I was advised of this at noon today, I will provide the Member with all the documentation and I would encourage him to advise the constituent to contact Inuvik office. There are people there who can help them. There is a process in place and I’m sure the staff will be happy to help the constituent.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of ECE. It’s in regard to my Member’s statement and the process that was used to do a survey that he mentioned yesterday in regards to the theme day on housing. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are asking me to request from the Ministers of Housing and ECE to go to my constituents and have public meetings and hear what the clients are saying in our communities because they weren’t aware such a survey took place.

Is the Minister willing to consider having public meetings in my constituency to basically hear directly from my constituents on the whole area of income reform and housing?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We did commit in this House yesterday that the Minister of the Housing Corporation and I will be dealing with this review issue within our own departments. We will continue to work with the standing committee and also with the communities. If there is an invitation to go visit the community, then we will be more than happy to go to those communities. We have to keep in mind that we can’t visit all 33 communities to deal with this particular issue, but certainly we are dealing with the regional areas. Certainly we would like to hear more from the respective Beaufort-Delta region if that is the case. Mahsi.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, in regards to the survey that the Minister mentioned, I think that is the outcry that people are hearing. His comments were that people are happy with the services that they are receiving. In order to determine how happy they are, I would just like to know what survey was done and exactly what was the method of the survey. Was it a follow-up letter? Was it a mail out survey? Was it done by the phone? Was it done by fax? Exactly how did you determine the survey and how did you come to the conclusion that people are happy with that survey?

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mr. Speaker, the survey that was referred to yesterday was income assistance client satisfaction survey. That was conducted by the Stats Bureau on behalf of our department. They did a mail out survey to 780 clients out there. Also, they did it by telephone, Mr. Speaker, as well as face to face in communities such as Aklavik, Behchoko, Deline, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Paulatuk

and Tulita. Those are the communities and regions that the Bureau of Statistics conducted those interviews.

Also, Mr. Speaker, what it covers is productive choices activity, funding levels, frequency of contacts, access to other services, programs and areas for improvement. Those are the survey questions that were thrown at these clientele that we have within our departments.

I have to put on the record that I didn’t say they were happy, but there was 76.7 percent who were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied. So we are not saying that everybody is happy. There is satisfaction with our program delivery. Mahsi.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, is it possible I can get a copy of that survey to see for myself exactly how it was concluded? In regards to meetings that the Minister is going to in the communities, I know the Minister was in my riding along with Ms. Lee and also with the Beaufort leaders. This issue is top and centre every time we have these meetings. Is any of that taken into consideration when you consider the satisfaction of communities when you hear the outcry, when you go to communities, in the area of income support and housing?

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about public housing rental subsidy, that is taken into consideration. But when I am referring to the survey, it is just the Bureau of Statistics did a survey on behalf of our department specifically pertained to those questions I raised earlier and highlighted and also teleconference and face-to-face meeting and also mail out questionnaires. What the Member is referring to is also within our department discussion to deal with those issues. The Minister of the Housing Corporation and I will certainly take those into consideration as well. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to request from the Minister here now to commit himself to going to my constituency, having a public meeting and dragging along the Minister of Housing so we can have a public meeting to see exactly what the clients in my riding are saying about the income support reform and housing.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mr. Speaker, if we are invited by the Member, I am not going to drag my colleague along, but if he is invited, I am sure he will come along with us.

---Laughter

At the same time, Mr. Speaker, I did commit in this House I will be visiting all 33 communities during

my time here as Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and Justice. Certainly I will commit to this House that I will continue to visit those communities. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson,

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement...the shortage of doctors in my riding, the visits...Is the department addressing the shortage of doctors all over the Northwest Territories, not just the Beaufort-Delta? What solutions are being implemented? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Minister of Health and Social Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the entire Territories, the department and the government have been working to come to an agreement with the Medical Association. The Department of Human Resources and Health and Social Services were able to arrive at a package that would give extra incentive or remuneration for rural doctors so that our recruiters will have better tools and better packages to recruit and retain more physicians into our communities. Thank you.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

How many positions in the Northwest Territories related to medical services in small, remote communities are vacant? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Minister of Health and Social Services

I don’t have that information handy. I am aware that, following up on some of the questions that were brought up in Committee of the Whole and committees, we have just provided a number of stats and figures to the Members. Hopefully that will get to the Members as soon as possible. Thank you.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

What policies are there when dealing with the medical conditions and regular checkups to the vulnerable and to my valuable elders and youth? Because of cases such as doctors and other staff shortages, why are we not flying them out once a month or drive them out to provide the service? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Minister of Health and Social Services

Mr. Speaker, our health system does do various things to provide access to medical services to our residents. For Beaufort-Delta, for example, they have a five week rotation where the complement of doctors in Inuvik do travel to communities. For Tuktoyaktuk, there were at

least 10 visits last year. There is supposed to be a visit at least every four to six weeks or one or two months even in the most remote communities. I understand, for Sachs Harbour, over Christmas, because of the shortage of doctors, they didn’t see one for a while. I am following up on that. We have to continue to do more to have more doctor visits. For residents who need medical service, they are medevaced out where it is necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Final supplementary, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to let the Minister know I serve more than just Tuktoyaktuk. I have three other communities that need service. The health of my constituents is a priority to me, especially my elders and the people that are not getting the service. This department has to start providing services. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you. I didn’t hear a question there, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Environment Minister, Mr. Miltenberger, in terms of the hazards and contaminated sites in the Northwest Territories. Has the Minister had an overall assessment of all the contaminated hazardous sites in the Northwest Territories?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a list that exists that has been documented in conjunction with the federal government, the very many sites that there are across the Northwest Territories, which I would be happy to share with the Member. I don’t have it with me here today, but such information is available.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the offer for the sites. Can the Minister advise the House in terms of the assessments of the sites in terms of the amount of dollars it will require either ourselves or probably mostly the federal government in terms of cleaning up these sites in the Northwest Territories?

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

There were estimates done. Suffice it to say it would be in the many hundreds of millions of dollars if you consider just the most immediate example closest to this facility here, which would be the Giant Mine site

which is about a $300 million price tag at this point, which is going to be much higher in the final analysis. That is just one single site. It would be in the many hundreds of millions of dollars. Thank you.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I would challenge the Minister in terms of I think it would probably be in the billions in terms of cleaning up the sites in the Northwest Territories, let alone the CANOL Heritage Trail. Just the rough estimate is in the hundreds of millions just to clean up that trail. That is my understanding. I don’t have the final numbers, but I guess I want to ask the Minister in terms of the Sahtu region in terms of the contaminated sites that were left by the federal government. Does the Minister have a more specific assessment of the sites that are in the Sahtu region that were done by the federal government in the early years?

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I identified some of those additional sites in my Minister’s statement. There has been work done. The most pressing one, of course, was the community of Tulita and the most outstanding one given the proximity of the community. But, yes, there has been work done on the other sites along the northern transportation route. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are various federal government agencies that have some operations around the Sahtu region. I take two issues in terms of the uranium sites along the Bear River, along the Mackenzie River, one Bennett field that had some storage of materials there and also the CANOL Heritage Trail, which has some very significant cleanup work to be done there. In terms of the Minister working with other departments within this government to identify some of the sites in the Sahtu that could be listed as hazardous contaminated sites that need to be cleaned up, would the Minister commit to the House to work with the other departments to look at the sites that need to be cleaned up? Would he provide that to me within a time frame of a month or two?

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Dealing with that particular issue across the North as well as in the Sahtu in particular are one of the mandates of Environment and Natural Resources, working with other departments in the government as well as the federal government. I will commit that we will continue to apply ourselves with all diligence and vigilance. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about probably something that is a very little known fact here in the Northwest Territories because we live a long ways we think from the kind of organized crime and crime rings that would be involved in human trafficking. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice, in his communications with his counterparts in the federal and provincial governments, has the issue of taking a collaborative approach to addressing the problem of human trafficking ever come up in the discussions? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This particular issue has been brought up during the FPT. It does reflect in all jurisdictions even though we are a small jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories. It does have an impact on us. Certainly it has been addressed. It is not only us but other departments as well, whether it be the Justice Department or the Status of Women. We are conducting a jurisdictional survey and some protocols here in the Northwest Territories and other jurisdictions as well on the responses and issues. We need to be, of course, prepared for, as the Member alluded to, the Olympics are coming up and other activities and functions that are happening. This has been addressed as part of the FPT on a going-forward basis. Thank you.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, before the influx of some major industrial activities here in the Northwest Territories associated with construction during the diamond mines construction phase, there was a lot of speculation in the Northwest Territories about the possibility of that being accompanied by things like more organized crime, drug trafficking and actual activities associated with the sex trade. Is that something that the Minister would be briefed on from time to time by the law enforcement in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mr. Speaker, yes, through the RCMP “G” Division, the commanding officer and also the commission of RCMP, I do have frequent meetings with them on an annual basis, quarterly. So they do brief us on activities that are happening in other jurisdictions which may have a potential impact on the Northwest Territories and also on our jurisdiction as well. If it is pertaining to those kinds of particular issues, then certainly that is addressed through that avenue. We do have a protocol in place with RCMP “G” Division on a going-forward basis informing each other. If there

are issues that we need to be aware of, right away they will let us know. Mahsi.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, this issue of human trafficking came as a surprise to me. I was not aware of the magnitude of this problem, the existence of this problem, especially associated with industrial activities and with things like sporting organizations and activities. I was quite surprised to hear of it. Quite often, when we hear of missing persons, we don’t associate it with anything like as heinous as human trafficking, but there are outstanding missing persons for a long time in the Northwest Territories. Quite often, too, in southern Canada, we hear of serial killers and things being uncovered eventually, we find out that, in fact, a lot of the young women affected by this are First Nations young women. We have those outstanding cases from the Minister’s riding still. I guess people just need to be aware of it. I would like to ask the Minister, what kind of activity does the RCMP undertake to ensure that, when there are cases of missing persons in the Northwest Territories, it is not associated with something as heinous as human trafficking? Thank you.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mr. Speaker, RCMP “G” Division, even at the headquarters, they have their own communication dialogue to reach out to the general public in various jurisdictions, but our own jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories will continue to work with them on how we can better communicate with the general public on those key areas that the Member is alluding to. I think it is important to highlight the importance of it and just to be aware. I think that is what it comes down to and we’ll continue to make every effort to do that through the general public, working closely with the RCMP G Division within our Justice Department and also Status of Women and other departments that we need to work closely with this particular area, because it does impact most of our departments here in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn’t go see the movie myself, but I know my daughter went to see that movie called “Taken” and she was quite shaken by it. What takes place, on the part of our government, that would warn young people of some of the dangers that may be out there of associating with people that may be involved in these types of criminal activity? What kind of awareness and education program is out there, perhaps even through our high schools? Thank you.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mr. Speaker, we have produced some educational materials some of

which is missing persons. I did see that movie myself, as well, and it is frightening. I think we need to do more in that area, especially with the youth. The spring break travelling down south, that’s a prime example. Anything could happen to these young individuals and I think we need to have a clear message to them that the outside world is a different atmosphere. Certainly I appreciate the Member giving us some ideas on how we can move forward on this. We’ll certainly do that from our Justice Department and working with other departments, as well, to have this clear message out there. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to continue to follow up on my questions on the Dehcho Process and direct it to the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, who happens to be Mr. Premier.

Also similar in nature to the concerns of the Dehcho are the Nahanni National Park expansion boundaries as well as the Edehzhie wildlife reserve that’s being discussed right now. I’d like to just ask the Premier, what is the current position of the GNWT with respect to the Edehzhie Protected Area Strategy? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The whole area of the selection process, the amount of lands that are either under protected areas or set aside in the parks, are all part of the negotiation process right now, so I would be uncomfortable in putting out an actual position. Although there’s been much work done between the departments that are involved, the Dehcho First Nations and the federal government, on coming up with positions. There was much talk about, for example, on the Nahanni Park extension and expansion and, in fact, as we looked at it and discussed with the people at the table, we have more in common than we have uncommon in the sense of where we’re looking at trying to set up areas for protection. That work is ongoing and we will continue to be at those tables to try and secure a balanced approach. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

I just wanted to reiterate my point that I’ve been raising all day, is that our government should continue to work with the Dehcho First Nations and if there’s a briefing note out there or else if the Department of Aboriginal

Affairs wanted to go one specific direction, our government ought to be responsible and check with the Dehcho First Nations to see what is their point of view on the specific direction that’s being directed to the department and to the Premier’s office.

Mr. Speaker, will the Premier assure the people of the Deh Cho and the people of the NWT that this government will give full support for the Dehcho First Nations in their effort to secure preservation of the Edehzhie protected area on the Horn Plateau? Thank you.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, we are at the table and we agree that there is a need for protection in certain specific areas. The area of size and the matter, these ongoing discussions that are occurring. We’ve been a party to a number of discussions that are ongoing and we continue to remain at the table in support of the only areas as looking at actual square kilometres that the final area would take up. We continue to be at the table and we agree there needs to be protection and some specific sites within the area. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

The same goes with the discussions around the Nahanni National Park Reserve expansion. I am aware that our government took a completely different position from the Dehcho First Nations and my concern is that they acted on their own, with their own briefing notes, again conferring with the federal government. I urge this government, if there’s a decision to be made, to contact the Dehcho First Nations and ask them what is there opinion on the action that they’re about to take.

Once again, will the Premier assure the people of the Northwest Territories and the Dehcho First Nations that this government will give full support for the Dehcho First Nations in their efforts to complete the expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve? Mahsi.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of processes the Member has talked about, for example, the Protected Areas Strategy. There’s an eight-step process that’s been clearly identified that all parties are familiar with and work with to get through that process and come up with a final decision and position.

On the Nahanni, in fact, when you look at it, when we sit down and have the discussion, we’re about 90 percent in agreement with the groups. We support the fact that there needs to be a Protected Areas Strategy, there needs to be some parks set aside. Our concern is if it ends up totally in the hands of the federal government to manage for time immemorial, what does that mean, in fact, when we talk about self-government when it is the

federal government who will always have the authority in those areas? Then we have to look at, for example, Mr. Speaker, when all is said and done and the land transferred and authorities transferred over, that there needs to be the ability, whether it is programming on the GNWT’s part that remains within the GNWT and the affordability of running those programs or if it’s the programs that the Dehcho First Nations draw down and they need revenues to do that, we need to make sure that there’s a balanced approach so that lands remain available to either Dehcho First Nations or the public government-of-the-day to be able to run those programs that each group is responsible. That’s the balance that we all try to come with and come forward with, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

I’m glad to hear those words from Mr. Premier. I still didn’t really get a commitment, however. I believe that the key message that I’m delivering here today is that our government is conferring with the federal government and I believe that our government should be conferring with the Dehcho First Nations as well. Can the Premier and can the Minister give that commitment? Thank you.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, the records would show we are, whether it’s through the negotiation tables themselves or through the regional leadership meetings and structures we’ve set up, we’re definitely in consultation and conferring around quite a number of issues that impact us as we go forward and we do see the need of coming together with a common position that would see it being the best interest of Northerners across the Territory. Our role as a public government for the whole of the Northwest Territories is to come up with a balance that works for everyone. When it’s all settled and things are put in their place, we need to ensure that each government that’s set up has the capacity, has the revenue sources and has a protection regime in place that would mean longevity in all those organizations across the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The time for question period has expired. Item 9, written questions. Item 10, returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to opening address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund Annual Report 2007-2008. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2008-2009, be read for the first time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2008-2009, has had first reading.

---Carried

Item 19, second reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2008-2009, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2008-2009, has had second reading.

---Carried

Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 7-16(3), Ministerial Benefits Policy; Tabled Document 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010; Committee Report 2-16(3), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Matters Referred to the Committee; Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act; Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act; Bill 4, Public Library Act; Bill 5, Professional Corporations Act; and Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. By the authority given me as Speaker by Motion 10-16(3), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment to consider the business before the House, with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 7-16(3), Tabled Document 11-16(3), Committee Report 2-16(3), Bills 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7. What’s the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today we would like to deal with the Legislative Assembly, the Department of Finance and then, time permitting, the Executive offices.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Is committee agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, we will take a short break and begin with the Legislative Assembly.

---SHORT RECESS

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. Prior to the break, we agreed that we’ll begin with regard to the Legislative Assembly. At this time, I would like to call on the Speaker and see if he has any opening remarks for the main estimates for the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Yes, I do. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2009-10 main estimates for the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Chairman, this year marks the second year of the Assembly’s expenditure reduction exercise. The Board of Management has approved an operating budget of $15.65 million for the Assembly this year.

This represents an expenditure increase of 1.8 percent over last year’s budget.

Mr. Chairman, in addition to fully implementing the Board of Management’s two-year target expenditure reductions, the 2009-10 main estimates includes a number of important new initiatives. These include funding for the work of the independent commission to review compensation and benefits which must be established in the upcoming fiscal year.

Funding is also included to host the Canadian Regional Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar in October. This seminar will be attended by Legislatures from across Canada who will have a rare opportunity to visit the North and learn how our unique system of consensus government works.

Mr. Chairman, the main estimates before you include $14 million to support the work of the Assembly’s various statutory officers. Of note is the additional funding required to implement amendments to the Human Rights Act approved by this Assembly. These amendments will see a clearer distinction drawn between the activities of the various agencies established under the act. Mr. Chair, as was the case last year, all our statutory officers were given the opportunity to appear before the Board of Management to substantiate and defend their operating budget requirements. Their valued input is reflected in the Assembly’s estimates.

While not included in the current operating budget, I wish to advise Members that planning is well underway to repair the Legislative Assembly roadway system and increase its parking capacity.

---Applause

A budget request will be put before the Assembly this fall, with work being scheduled for completion during the 2010 construction season.

Mr. Chair, the global economic slowdown and its resulting impact on capital markets have had serious implications for private and public sector pension plans throughout the world. As Members know, the Board of Management manages over $38 million in assets held in the Legislative Assembly’s two pension plans. While these investments have not been immune to capital market downturns, I am pleased to report that both plans continue to hold healthy surplus positions and will not require the infusion of any public funds for the foreseeable future. I want to thank my colleagues on the Board of Management in both this and the last Assembly for the prudence and foresight they have demonstrated in protecting the interests of past, current and future plan beneficiaries.

Mr. Chair, I want to take a few moments to advise the House and the public of a number of initiatives my office is undertaking to show leadership in environmental and personal responsibilities. First, I am pleased to advise the House that the Board of Management has approved the installation of a wood pellet boiler at the Legislative Assembly during the upcoming fiscal year.

---Applause

This system will reduce the Assembly’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 90 percent and reduce its annual heating costs by 18 percent. The system will work in tandem with the building’s existing boiler, which will still operate to handle peak loads and provide emergency redundancy.

It should come as no surprise to any of you when I say that this institution is addicted to paper. If we were to take all the paper that we use in this building in a year and stack it in piles, it would reach the top of this Chamber more than six times. Placed end to end, this paper would stretch from Yellowknife to Fort Providence. Maybe it’s one way we could use to fill all the holes between here and Enterprise.

The Assembly’s recent decision to allow the use of laptop computers in Committee of the Whole and standing committees provides a key opportunity to change our processes and reduce this waste. While information technology will unquestionably provide convenience and efficiency to the activities of Members while in the Chamber and committees, the greatest benefit will be in using this opportunity to change the way we do business, to reduce our dependency on paper and help the environment.

I have set an ambitious target of reducing our paper consumption by 80 percent in the next year and I look forward to the cooperation of all Members in assisting with this transition.

More than one Member has expressed an interest to me in finding ways to make their activities carbon neutral. I am pleased to advise Members that I will introduce regulatory amendments early in the new fiscal year to allow Members to use their constituency budgets to purchase carbon offsets from institutions meeting the Gold Standard. This will enable any Member to use their budgets to promote a carbon neutral approach to representing their constituents.

Finally, the Legislative Assembly has in recent years lead by example with respect to social and personal responsibility. In these halls we need to both talk the talk and walk the walk in this spirit. I want to advise Members that the Legislative Assembly is going to Drop the Pop and ditch the disposable water bottles effective June 1st of this

year. I have directed the Assembly’s catering contractor to discontinue the sale or distribution of soft drinks and bottled water in the Legislative Assembly, including at private meetings and functions.

The Legislative Assembly is the most important public institution in the Northwest Territories. As lawmakers, role models and politicians, we must each practice the habits that we want people to emulate. I know you will all cooperate as we make these important changes.

Before I conclude, I want to take advantage of this rare opportunity at the mike to recognize some outstanding work at the Legislative Assembly this year. For the past year the Government Operations committee has been conducting an exhaustive review of the implementations of the NWT Official Languages Act. The committee, under the leadership of MLA Kevin Menicoche, has travelled extensively throughout the NWT, hearing and documenting the concerns of our language speakers and communities. The report of this committee will be tabled in the House during this session. I have seen some early drafts of this report and I want to state how impressed I am with the work that has been done on this important file. This is the bread and butter work of legislators. Our committee has done work here that we can all take great pride in. I hope all Members and the public pay close attention to this report when it is made public in the days ahead. I want to make special mention of the work of the committee staff who assisted with this review; particularly the research and drafting that Regina Pfeifer has done in support of this committee’s work, which rivals that of the highest paid consultants we too often rely upon for advice and expertise.

---Applause

Advice and expertise that is usually available to us in house. Congratulations to all the committee members and staff on this excellent piece of work.

This concludes my opening comments. I would be pleased to answer any questions Members may have.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time I would ask if you will be bringing in any witnesses.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Yes, I would, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Is the committee agreed to allow the Speaker to bring in his witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses in?

Mr. Speaker, for the record, could you introduce your witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Mr. Chairman, to my left I have Olin Lovely, director of corporate services, and to my right I have Tim Mercer, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome, witnesses. At this time I will call for general comments. Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to say, as I’ve been doing, 1.8 percent increase over last year’s budget I think that’s quite reasonable. I’ve been mentioning this with a number of departments and that seems to be below the inflation rate and I think that’s what we’re targeting.

My comments are generally quite positive. I was very excited to hear some of the things today. The installation of a wood pellet boiler...As one who’s declared himself to be a carbon neutral MLA, this is going to help me and help all of us now who choose to be carbon neutral because, of course, we don’t now need to worry about much in the way of heating costs, which is the major cost other than travel.

I’m excited to see the initiatives on paper. I’ve seen quite a change since I’ve started this less than two years ago...the practices of committee and so on. I’m now watching even more how much I print on old paper and make sure I use both sides and so on. So the practices that have been established in the Assembly here have been impressive and I think already working towards the Speaker’s goal of 80 percent reduction in paper. I know it’s going to be challenging to get there, but I’m going to be working hard on that too.

Some of these initiatives are not going to necessarily be easy, but I think the highlight that we need in this hall to be walking the walk and talking the talk and vice versa, I think I’m willing to work hard towards that end. Some things are easier for some people than other things. I’m not a pop drinker, so it’s quite easy for me to support Drop the Pop. I know for others it’s not easy. I’m very appreciative of the commitment that’s been shown by the Board of Management in this work.

I’m going to leave it at that. It’s just a number of exciting announcements that I wasn’t aware of here. Very good to see this work happening.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Next on the list I have Mr. Menicoche and Mr. Yakeleya.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I’m pretty pleased, I’m very pleased with the opening remarks of Mr. Speaker and the initiatives of the Legislative Assembly. I’m glad that they are talking the talk and walking the walk in terms of dropping the pop. Some of the carbon neutral initiatives I will be very happy and proud once they’re installed to display that to other Assemblies, I’m sure. It sounds like there’s a huge regional parliamentary event this coming fall and maybe it will be in place by then to be a shining example of our parliamentary consensus style to show others about how quickly Assemblies can act and move forward with the initiatives that are now driving the global agenda.

It is a local agenda as well, Mr. Chair. So I am very supportive of those efforts. At the same time, I’d like to commend Mr. Speaker for mentioning my chairmanship for Standing Committee on Government Operations, but I would be remiss without mentioning my fellow colleagues that share the duties with me that did do the hard work on the languages report: Mr. Robert Hawkins, deputy chair, committee member Mr. Glen Abernethy, Mr. Jackie Jacobson, as well as you, Mr. Chair, Mr. David Krutko. Thank you very much. That concludes my statements. Mahsi.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you. General comments. Mr. Yakeleya.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Chair, the comments I have are just saying to the staff and Mr. Speaker, I think by your presentation, Mr. Speaker, I think we may be one of the leading Assemblies in terms of what we are doing here with the initiatives under your leadership and how we operate within our Assembly. I think that says a lot for the staff who are making unique changes to our system.

I am very happy to know that you will be hosting the Regional Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar in October and have Members here to have a good look at our consensus style of government. I think that’s something we can boast about the uniqueness of being in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Chair, the other comment I want to offer to the Speaker is regarding the amount of paper we use and our addiction to paper. It is a very well put scenario. The paper that we use, if you were to stretch it from Fort Providence to Yellowknife, that’s a lot of paper. I hope by this we make something very simple and look at other alternatives in terms of how we do things. The paper that we use, maybe one day we can use that to build the Mackenzie Valley Highway. I just didn’t realize the amount of paper that our Assembly uses. It’s an eye-opener when you put things into perspective. Kudos to you and your staff and the Members to look at different alternatives to not use paper.

With the introduction of the wood boiler system that we are going to use, that’s something that will be a leading example to other parliamentary associations that could use this type of system. Hopefully we are in a groundbreaking area to support our environment.

These are the comments that I have, Mr. Chair, in terms of the presentation. I am glad that we are looking at Dropping the Pop and looking at the bottled water system in terms of us going ahead. I want to say that these types of initiatives are leading other Assemblies into how we take care of ourselves and our environment. I wish to thank the Speaker and the staff well in implementing these initiatives. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. For general comments, I have Mrs. Groenewegen.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d like to thank the Speaker for his opening comments. I believe that the operations of the Legislative Assembly are probably second to none in terms of professionalism and the support that Members get in the work that we do on behalf of our constituents. So I would like to thank not just the Speaker, but the Legislative Assembly staff for all of their help and assistance in the day-to-day operations that we are involved in here.

We have a wonderful opportunity to do things that are trend-setting and that are leading by example. I think that the initiatives that were announced in the Speaker’s opening comments today were certainly in that category. People out there may not know it, but we work long hours here. Sometimes in the winter we come to work in the morning, it’s dark outside and we go home late at night and it’s dark outside. The work is in a strange way, it’s very taxing. One of the occupational hazards I think of being in politics is that we look forward to those breaks and some of those choices and beverages and so on that maybe aren’t all that healthy. I know it seems like a small thing to Drop the Pop, but I think it will help Members in a way, a strange kind of a way, to help us make healthier choices. Because there is an inclination and certainly an ability when you get here working those kinds of hours, being confined in the building, I think sometimes we just consume too many things. We consume too many soft drinks, too much coffee and sometimes too much food.

Mr. Chairman, the environmentally sensitive initiatives that are also being spoken of here today in the opening comments are also very, very welcome. I hope that we will be the first Legislative Assembly on some of these initiatives that we will undertake in the country and it will be noted throughout the land, the efforts that we are making

to respect our environment and be good stewards of our environment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. General comments.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Detail.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does committee agree we have concluded general comments?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, I will allow the speaker to respond to general comments before we get into detail.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I certainly do appreciate the kind comments that Members have made and the comments on different issues that we are preparing to take on.

With the paper issue, I know it’s been mentioned that it seems like a pretty high target of 80 percent. We are certainly not in a position where we want to try to eliminate all paper in the building or short change the amount of paper that Members need to do their jobs. However, we have already taken some steps and there are some areas where we can increase that number or get closer to that percentage target that we want by doing some very simple things here. There are areas where we use a tremendous amount of paper and we think we can eliminate a lot of that without affecting how Members do their jobs and their ability to do their job. So we will be working forward. Any of the initiatives that I have announced in the budget, of course, will only be attainable with the cooperation of all Members, and I sense that there is a willingness of all Members to head down these avenues that we are looking at and I really appreciate that.

I know it was mentioned that we are having the fall seminar for the CPA conference this year. I think that that is one of the paybacks. Sometimes we hear questions about what we get out of these parliamentary seminars and that kind of thing. I think they are very informative and important for us to attend. When we get an opportunity to host one of those meetings and bring outside politicians to the North and see how we operate and how our system of government operates, I think that is a very valuable vote for us and for the rest of the country, for that matter.

So, again, we are looking forward to being able to implement a lot of the things that I mentioned. Certainly I know that some of the Members here won’t be as easy to drop the pop as other Members. I don’t think it’s going to be a situation where we are going to have somebody at the door stopping people from bringing pop in the building,

but more or less that we aren’t going to be the ones supplying it for them.

I think with the cooperation of Members, I think we can go a long way towards achieving this goal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We can move to page 1-6, 1-7, from there we’ll defer that. Moving on to page 1-8, information item. Page 1-9, revenue summary, infrastructure investment summary, information item. Page 1-9, revenue summary, information item. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-10, active position summary, information item.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-12. Office of the Clerk.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-13, activity summary, Office of the Clerk, operations expenditure summary, $7.640 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 1-14, information item, Office of the Clerk, activity positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 1-16, Office of the Speaker.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-17, activity summary, Office of the Speaker, operations expenditure summary, $353,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 1-18, information item, Office of the Speaker, activity positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 1-20, expenditures on behalf of Members.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-21, activity summary, expenditures on behalf of Members, operations expenditure summary, $5.998 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 1-22, activity summary, office of the Chief Electoral Officer.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-23, activity summary, office of the Chief Electoral Officer, operations expenditure summary, $360,000. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I understand it right, the cost for the office of the Chief Electoral Officer is for three staff: the Chief Electoral Officer, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer and administrative support. We have just been reviewing the report of the Chief Electoral Officer. This is kind of fresh in our minds. The Rules committee has been meeting and going over that report. For such a small jurisdiction, this seems like a fairly well staffed place. I am just curious, and for the public’s interest as well, we only have an election once every four years. Is the office of the Chief Electoral Officer involved in supervising or being involved in any other types of elections at a municipal or band council or any other level or is it just the territorial elections that they are involved with? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Speaker.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As far as elections are concerned, the Chief Electoral Officer is only responsible for territorial elections, and municipalities control their own elections. As far as I know, band councils control their own elections as well. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Is the office of the Chief Electoral Officer considered a full-time position?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the Chief Electoral Officer position is considered full time. It does have some degree, though, of…In the year leading up to an election and the election year and the year following for a two-year period, the Chief Electoral Officer is paid a full salary and is considered basically full time. In the two years in between elections, the Chief Electoral Officer position is reduced somewhat and the pay level is reduced considerably because of the reduced workload that is involved in the office. But the position is considered a full-time position.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Well, this may be just my observation, but to have three people essentially full time in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer for an election that only takes place once every four years for 19 candidates in a population of 42,000, this seems like a big expenditure. In the past, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and I don’t know for how many years, basically was the Chief

Electoral Officer as well as the Clerk and then would get support from someone on the GNWT payroll, I guess, that would hold the position of Deputy Chief Electoral Officer. For how long has the practice been in place of having essentially three full-time people associated with this activity? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

In actual fact, there is only one full-time position at the Chief Electoral Office. There is a part-time position that also provides support to the Human Rights Commission or Human Rights Adjudication Panel. The only one full-time position that is associated with the Chief Electoral Officer is the DCO’s position. As far as the Chief Electoral Officer, at one time the duties were provided by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and ended back in the 13th or 14th Assembly. It was

at the recommendation of the then-Clerk of the Assembly, David Hamilton. It seemed very much as if the elections are running to have the Clerk do the elections and be responsible for elections. In a lot of cases they are returning Members. Because of the relationship between the Clerk and Members of the Legislative Assembly, the perception of being biased or whatever is quite strong. As well, lots of elections, there may be some complaints filed. If the Clerk was to find himself in a position where he is dealing with a complaint on a sitting Member, it could be a very…It was recommended by David Hamilton that those operations be separated. That is the way they are in every jurisdiction in Canada. Thank you, Mr. Chairman

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Again, I find it, not knowing exactly what activities that office is involved in, a bit hard to imagine they could keep themselves busy five days a week 52 weeks a year in an office that deals with an election that only takes place once every four years.

Could the Speaker provide us with any kind of idea or clue as to what these folks find to keep themselves busy? I am sure there are things like keeping and preparing voters lists and filing the annual report after a territorial election. During the election, at the last territorial election, we did not seem to have the resources or the wherewithal to even make sure that there was a returning officer in every community and that there was an office open for voting opportunities in the office of the returning officer. We had communities…I will name one of the communities, Lutselk’e, where literally there was no resources I assume available to allow for the folks of that community to have that same access to voting opportunities as most people in larger centres across the Northwest Territories had. I guess to devote the kind of resources we do to keep people employed year round for an election that happens every four years and then not be able to resource equal access to voting for Members on territorial Election Day is a bit disappointing to me.

What kinds of things are these folks involved in that could possibly keep them busy in between elections? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

There is a fair list of items that the Chief Electoral Officer deals with during the two-year period between elections. The Chief Electoral Officer always has to be ready and have things ready in case of a by-election. For example, in the 15th Assembly there were two by-elections

that the Chief Electoral Officer had to run. They also have a registrar of territorial electors that they maintain on a continual basis. They maintain voters’ lists. There is a legislative review response from the standing committee on the Chief Electoral Officer’s report that they have to work on. Training and form revisions in between elections to do corrections on. They also assist other jurisdictions with election issues. There is general training of elections officers as well that go on, on almost a continual basis. There are some strategic initiatives and Electoral Boundaries Commission and mapping. There is a fair bit of work that they do in between.

Some of the things that the Member has brought up, it would probably be better dealt with when meeting with the Chief Electoral Officer, whoever that may be, when they file their annual report in standing committee. If it is how they operate and that sort of thing and complaints on operations would probably be better dealt directly with the CEO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

I certainly don’t have any complaints. I am just concerned about the appropriate expenditure of government funds here. Under compensation and benefits here at $152,000, would that represent a full year of the staff that would be considered government staff? Would that represent the full year? How many people would be involved in that under compensation and benefits? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

That amount involves two people.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

That is my understanding, that that position was actually vacant for some time during the last fiscal year. I just want to know. With that $152,000 that is budgeted, that would be the estimated amount for an entire fiscal year as opposed to the actuals which would be…Well, I can’t figure that out because the actuals are even way more than that. Maybe the Speaker could just explain to me the estimate for those two positions versus the actuals for 2007-08. Thank you. I guess those would include the returning officers and so on. Anyway, I will let him explain that. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

That is for a full fiscal year. The position that was vacant was actually a

funded position as well, so when the position was filled there was no money transfer whatsoever because the position was already funded. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

The $152,000 -- and I just want to be clear -- is for one full-time person and one part-time person which are both staffed at this time. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

That is for one full-time position and one part-time position. Thank you, Mr. Chairman

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are on page 1-23, activity summary, office of Chief Electoral Officer, operations expenditure summary, $360,000. Mr. Hawkins.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am just following Mrs. Groenewegen’s question. Could we get the breakdown of that detail forwarded to us, unless, of course, Mr. Speaker has it here today? As well as on the number of years I have brought up the issue of the Chief Electoral Office being a little more challenged by being involved with municipal elections and perhaps offering services elsewhere whether communities want them or not in the context if they want them. It is not whether they want them or not. The issue is keeping that office busy as well as they go to a lot of work to develop certain expertise, skills. They ask for equipment that basically sits dormant for almost four years. I just would like to see that this office can offer those types of expertise throughout other elections that happen. Those services are going to waste if they are not being put to use. I am just wondering how much work. Has this issue come up through the Speaker’s office as instruction to look into that avenue and what work has been done as well as, of course, the breakdown Mrs. Groenewegen was asking for? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Speaker.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

I will commit to getting the information to Members on salaries. It would probably be better to get the information to the Members on that.

On the municipal election front, the CEO is very keen on doing some stuff for municipal elections. She has raised the issue a number of times with the Association of Communities, but there is some pushback in that area where they are reluctant to turn that over to the Chief Electoral Officer. They are still reviewing their options. For the time being, they want to continue to maintain their own elections. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

I appreciate that. I will take that information. I certainly support moving in that direction because the expertise offered there, if we

are vamping up an office for skills and abilities, it would be in the right direction.

Mr. Chairman, just on the area of the office staffing, what exact positions are staffed at this very moment? How long have they all been staffed? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

The staff positions are the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer position, the administrative assistant position. As far as how long they have been staffed, maybe ask Tim if he has that.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Mercer.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Mercer

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The

Deputy Chief Electoral Officer position was staffed on a one-year transfer assignment in December of 2008. The administrative officer’s position has been staffed fairly continuously since the 2007 general election. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are on page 1-23, activity summary, office of Chief Electoral Officer, operations expenditure summary, $360,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 1-24, information item, office of Chief Electoral Officer, activity positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-26, activity summary statutory officers.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-27, activity summary, statutory officers, operations expenditure summary, $1.299 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 1-28, activity summary, statutory officers, grants and contributions, contributions, $200,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

1-29, information item, statutory officers, activity positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are going back to page 1-7, Legislative Assembly, department summary, operations expenditure summary, $15.650 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does the committee agree that we have concluded the main estimates for the Legislative Assembly?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, I would like to thank the Speaker and witnesses. With that, Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out?

As we agreed, the next department that we will consider is the Department of Finance. At this time I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if he has any opening remarks. Mr. Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present the Department of Finance’s main estimates or the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

The main estimates reflect the consolidation of the current Department of Finance and the Financial Management Board Secretariat into a new Department of Finance, effective April 1, 2009. The objectives of the merger are to enhance the GNWT’s financial planning and administration and to ensure that resources are used in the most efficient way. By combining resources, the new department will be able to provide fiscal leadership to the GNWT and promote the principles of sound financial management.

This consolidation will bring together all of the GNWT’s key fiscal and financial functions, including expenditure and revenue management, intergovernmental fiscal arrangements, tax policy and collection, banking and cash management, financial reporting and systems, internal audit, collections, information management and risk management and insurance. The NWT Liquor Commission and liquor licensing and enforcement will also be a part of the new Department of Finance.

The relatively small size of the existing two departments, each with complementary functions that have extensive interaction, makes the proposed consolidation both logical and relatively straightforward. Almost all other provincial and territorial jurisdictions have a single Department of Finance responsible for financial, fiscal and economic policy and stewardship over public funds. The proposed reorganization is consistent with other provincial and territorial departments of Finance.

The department’s 2009-10 main estimates propose O and M expenditure levels of $74.875 million. This represents a reduction of $8.610 million or 10 percent from the 2008-09 main estimates.

The department’s proposed budget includes an increase of $1.2 million to reflect higher projected costs of the current Territorial Power Subsidy Program or TPSP. The TPSP subsidizes the cost of electricity up to a maximum of 700 kilowatt hours per month or consumers up to 1,000 kilowatt hours per month for eligible businesses in communities where cost of power is greater than that in Yellowknife. This additional funding will bring the budget for the current program to more than $11 million in 2009-10. In addition, as part of the government’s Energy Investment Initiatives, a further $3 million has been budgeted in 2009-10 to enhance the commercial subsidy provided through the TPSP. A key objective of the GNWT is to lower commercial power costs in order to foster economic development and reduce the cost of living, including the cost of food. Specific proposals for the use of this funding will follow the completion of the government’s review of electricity regulation rates and subsidy programs.

Each of the core business activities of the department provides a foundation for all other activities of government, through raising revenues, managing expenditures, protecting assets, providing critical fiscal, financial and economic information and promoting accountability.

However, there are specific departmental activities that directly support the government’s priority of refocusing government through the strengthening of service delivery and managing the costs of government. The department will be taking action to stabilize support to non-government organizations through the development of a funding policy; will be ensuring that the Duty Travel Policy directives are clear, well understood and useable in order to properly control; monitor and report on GNWT travel; and, will be updating and renewing the government’s Knowledge Management Strategy. The department’s proposed 2009-10 budget includes $300,000 to fund work on this strategy.

In 2009-10 the Department of Finance will be continuing the GNWT’s longer-term, broad-based initiative to modernize government management in order to better respond to changing expectations and priorities. Key activities being advanced include the update of the Financial Administration Act, updating the Knowledge Management Strategy and the implementation of a new Financial Information System for the government. This replacement of the government’s 25-year-old Financial Information System is a major undertaking both for the department and the government. The new system for accounting and management, or SAM, will go into effect this summer. The department’s 2009-10 proposed budget reflects a net increase to $522,000 to allow for the ongoing operation of the system, as well as $1.3 million in amortization

expense to reflect this major capital investment being brought into service.

The department’s 2009-10 budget also reflects a reduction of $14.692 million attributable to the lower contribution funding provided to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. The reduction reflects the sunsetting of federal funding from the Northern Housing Trust. The Department of Finance has no direct authority over this funding other than providing the corporation with its operating cash flow.

As the government’s lead revenue department, the Department of Finance revenues are projected to total $1.177 billion, which is approximately 90 percent of the total GNWT revenues currently being forecast for 2009-10. The department will be undertaking a number of revenue related initiatives in 2009-10, including:

• completing a review of all GNWT fees and making changes to our financial policies to ensure these revenues keep pace with inflation;

• following on last year’s revenue review, taking a closer look at how we raise revenues in the NWT, to see if there are changes to our tax system that might advance our economic, social and environmental objectives without increasing the amount of taxes we collect;

• continuing to participate in discussions on

devolution and resource revenue sharing; and

• exploring the concept of a heritage fund for the NWT.

The Department of Finance’s 2009-10 main estimates include a total staffing complement of 107 positions, 98 in headquarters and nine in the regions. This is an increase over the previous budget of six positions for the Department of Finance. However, after taking into account transfers in responsibility between the departments of Finance and Executive, the adjustments represent a net increase to the GNWT of one position. That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Minister. At this time I would like to ask the Minister if he will be bringing any witnesses.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does the committee agree that the Minister brings his witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses in.

Mr. Minister, for the record, could you introduce your witnesses.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Margaret Melhorn, the deputy minister of Finance; and Rob Taggart, the director of policy and planning. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Welcome, witnesses. With that, general comments on Finance. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Mr. Chairman, I don’t have so much general comments with the content of the Minister’s opening remarks but the way with which they were delivered, looking down, speed reading, didn’t look up to us once, like are we just sitting here, I suppose, maybe just as a bit of an annoyance to the process. What are we, just a...I hope that when the Minister represents us when he goes to Finance Ministers meetings or he’s trying to put a pitch out there for the Northwest Territories on our behalf out there, as the Finance Minister and Deputy Premier of this government that he shows a little more enthusiasm for his job than what I just witnessed. I know we want to get out of here and get this done but, you know, that was disrespectful. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Those are all my comments.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

General comments, Department of Finance. Mr. Yakeleya.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The federal government just passed their budget in terms of the funding that’s going to be given to the Northwest Territories. Now, in terms of going forward and forecasting our projects that we want to do in our communities, because the budget has just been passed by the federal government and it still has to go through another process to approval, in terms of the forecasting, would we see some delays in some our projects that we want to do in the Northwest Territories? Are we going to do this on borrowed time or do we have some confidence that projects that we have indicated through the different departments...Are we going to see some delay or are we going to do the projects as we said they we’re going to get done? Because some of the infrastructure needs to be built in the communities because of the seasons. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Hawkins.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just my general comment would be I’d kind of like to hear maybe a little more detail on how the Financial Administration Act, how it’s coming forward and what adjustments will be done. One of the issues that I’ve raised, in the last term significantly, is about trying to adjust and help NGOs on their reporting period and how often they have to report

on their reporting period. Even the Auditor General knows that you don’t always have to audit every federal agency every single year, recognizing that some agencies are better than others and they have to prove their auditing statements sort of different and whatnot. Now that may not be a perfect or accurate description of the scenario, but what the issue really comes down to is NGOs are quite pressed to produce financial statements and whatnot at one of the most expensive times when it is to get them filed, written and in good form for the government, and one of the critical asks that’s always come forward from them is how is the government going to address that and reorganize that problem with it.

I’m wondering if the territorial government could start taking an analysis as to identifying which NGOs spend their money properly, fairly and respectfully, that’s intended to the process of why we lend them the money and maybe come up with a different way of having them file their audited statements. By no means, I’ve never heard from any NGO that they did not want to have their program audited and I’ve never once heard that they didn’t want to file statements in any way, but the issue really came down to things like timing. Because quite often what we’ll see is people who provide programs, whether it’s the Centre for Northern Families...I mean, the question that really comes up in my mind is do I want them to do paperwork and file audited statements or do I want them helping people. I would certainly hope that the answer from the Minister would be we’d like to see them doing the good services that they do, which is helping people.

Mr. Chairman, quite often what I find, in my experience so far, is some of these NGOs do services that the government could not do for that type of dollar. We could not provide the sympathy or empathy that’s required in that service and what we have is longstanding agencies come forward to provide services in both Yellowknife and throughout the North. This would be one way to recognize and appreciate the good work that they do and signify that, yes, our government has financial requirements. And by no means I’m not suggesting in any way that we don’t keep a close eye on that, but I think, especially with these types of things being discussed such as our Financial Administration Act, are there ways to help those agencies, again, focus their time and energies on providing services as opposed to providing paperwork. I think that’s ultimately the crux of my issue on that, is helping them. Because, you know, we don’t have auditors helping people at a homeless shelter, we don’t have auditors helping people at a Salvation Army program meeting. I mean, we have real people helping real people with real problems, and I would rather see their focus on

the area that they’re providing a much needed service.

Mr. Chairman, I don’t really have anything else to add at this time, but that continues to be an issue since I remember I was first raising it about probably four years ago. I certainly would like to see this opportunity get captured under any update and any adjustments be added to it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have to start by saying I somehow suspect and I wouldn’t expect that everybody completely appreciates my style, but I do hope that people listen to the words that I speak rather than look at the style that I present them in.

I want to say that I recognize that it’s a large piece of work here to consolidate these departments and I appreciate that. I think we were generally supportive of this and undoubtedly there are some kerfuffles that will be ironed out as we go here. I think it’s going to end up with some good efficiencies and the phrase that leaps out at me is stewardship over public funds. That’s what this department is really all about.

I see a net reduction of 10 percent and that’s probably not totally real given the $14 million loss in federal funding. So I don’t know exactly where this department really comes in. Next year we can start getting a good sense of that in a relative sense from year to year.

I see there are a lot of increases in different things. The Territorial Power Subsidy Program, of course, has been a concern to me and to many as it increases quite rapidly. I think, as a government, we’re wrestling on many different levels to deal with that situation. I’m looking forward to making some progress on that.

One thing that particularly caught my attention in the Minister’s opening remarks was ensuring that the Duty Travel Policy directives are clear, well understood and usable in order to properly control, monitor and report on GNWT travel. I have this brought up repeatedly from constituents as a concern and it’s a very difficult one. I appreciate that and I’d like to hear more about what the thinking is, how we can, indeed, finally get a handle on this and begin to actually control and manage it. Yes, if we can get a clear, transparent annual report out to the public, that will go a long ways in terms of our credibility with our public.

Leaping ahead through the comments to the reference to changes to our tax system that might advance our economic, social and environmental objectives. I think that’s something we need to do.

It, again, is a thorny undertaking but needs to be done. We have some short-term initiatives in place and undoubtedly we’ll be coming up with more. But I hope there’s also a longer-term strategy that’s got some critical analysis and thinking in it and it gets laid out and adopted, as well, during the life of this Assembly. Perhaps the Minister could comment on that potential.

Of course, devolution and resource revenue sharing is something we need to always be thinking about. I think most of us are on record with solid support for a heritage fund for the Northwest Territories. That’s all the general comments I have. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Are there any other general comments? Does committee agree that we’ve concluded our general comments?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, before we move on to the department’s estimates, I’ll ask the Minister to respond. Mr. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. First, let me indicate, for the record, that I work very hard in my job as the Minister and I have a deep and abiding respect for the institution in which I serve. While I’ve heard the Member’s for Hay River South concerns, I don’t necessarily appreciate them, but I will give them the consideration they deserve.

In regard to the projections for capital and projects, at a recent deputy ministers meeting of Finance across the country the federal government indicated that they hoped to have the money ready to roll and flow by June. What the actual criteria are going to be for the different funds has yet to be finalized. We are also going to have to deal with the issue of capacity in the North, because we have one of the largest capital plans ever prepared to roll out this coming year.

This weekend we are going to be having a meeting with NGOs to talk about volunteerism plus NGOs. There’s a special meeting to deal with some of the funding and financial policies. It will be an opportunity to look at some of the issues raised by Mr. Hawkins.

In terms of the increase to the department taking away the money from Housing, that it’s sunsetted, it’s about a $6.4 million increase over last year.

We look forward to being able to provide, as we do work with the Program Review Committee, good information as we can possibly pull together on travel. Last year it was about 12 to 13 million dollars spent on travel and about 80 percent of that travel

took place in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Minister. With that, if you can turn to page 5-7, operations expenditure summary, department summary. We’ll defer that and move forward. Moving on to page 5-8, information item, infrastructure investment summary. Any questions there?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-9, information item, revenue summary.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-10, information item, activity position summary. Mr. Abernethy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just to be consistent, I was wondering if we could get a breakdown on these positions with the P1, P2, P3, disabled and for all the activity position summaries throughout the department. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have the package here with sufficient copies for all the Members. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Minister. If you can give that to the Clerk and we can get it circulated. Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wonder if we could have permission to go back to page 5-9.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does committee agree we go back to page 5-9?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Go ahead, Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just one quick question. I’m wondering where the tax from, or is it the fee from the plastic bags is reflected here or is that reflected elsewhere in the budget? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That levy is not reflected in this. The money that would be generated would flow into the Waste Recovery Fund that ENR has and it would be accounted for through that fund. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Okay. Page 5-10.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 5-12, activity summary, deputy minister’s office. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question. I’ve raised it in Member’s statements but I wanted to raise it here since it falls under the deputy minister’s office in terms of our review of the business plans. The Public/Private Partnerships Policy, we were advised in November that it was going to be ready around February of ’09, which was a little while ago. I wonder if the Minister can advise when that policy will be ready for standing committee review. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Taggart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Taggart

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The policy is essentially drafted. It still needs to be reviewed at the deputy minister’s level and, as was committed during business plan reviews, we are planning to table it with the committees at the end of March.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

That’s great. Thank you for that answer. That is all I have, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-12, activity summary.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-13, activity summary, deputy minister’s office, operations expenditure summary, $42.266 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 5-14, activity summary, deputy minister’s office, grants and contributions, contributions, $37.820 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-15, information item, activity positions, deputy minister’s office.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 5-16, activity summary, fiscal policy. Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know in some of the tax policy discussions and revenue discussions the questions of carbon tax came up as something that the committee was interested in and needed a lot more exploration and education learning. I am wondering if some work has been done on that and/or is planned with this division and if that might be coming forward as well. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, we have started a process with the last roundtable on revenue suggestions and options to commit to that process. I have also indicated in the budget address and in my opening comments that the possible restructure of our tax system to look at making it more effective without necessarily raising taxes, specifically on the carbon tax piece. There has been some initial work done. We have also looked at the documents submitted by the Member for Weledeh. As well, we are waiting to see what is going to come out of the United States as they move forward with their environmental policy and if they are going to be looking at a carbon tax structure or not or what kind if they are going to move with that. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Mr. Chairman, I am wondering if there is a plan to share that or time frame for sharing that. How long will we sort of be waiting for U.S. policies to be developed? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

We are not waiting but it is going to…What America has decided is going to have an impact on what is going to happen in Canada, initially we were looking at intensity targets. Now they are looking at a cap and trade kind of much different approach. If they agree and they are going to move to some type of continental or North American system, then that will give us a much clearer framework to work within. At the same time we are looking at our own tax system. We have to look at the offsets, the impact on cost of living and, as we move forward by fall, as we look at where we are with our targets, where we are with our revenues and such, we will be able to, I think, be looking at all that type of work, especially as we move forward with the business planning process for 2010-11. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Of course, if a major project such as the Mackenzie Gas Project, and I think we have a few years there, but that sort of policy will be key to whether we can actually realize some benefits. Right now I know we don’t have fuel tax, for example, on the use of natural gas for power generation, which is where most of their power will be produced from. So we would be totally left high and dry on that. There is a bit of a time element from the industrial side as well. I appreciate those comments from the Minister and anything further he would care to share on timing and so on. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, the issue of what is called a carbon tax is a very hotly debated one. I know the Member has strong opinions about it. We know that the environmental landscape is changing, especially now with the Americans. We are looking within our own

budgeting process at ways to have a more efficient and effective tax system. We also, and the Member would I think, acknowledge this, that as we move forward with looking at options and suggestions, it will be a source of considerable debate that we’ll have to have to try to reach hopefully what will be a consensus opinion on how we structure around that particular element that the Member is referring to. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Next on the list I have Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a question here. When we discussed the department at business plans, there was some discussion about revenue forecasts and measuring them and so on. I believe the Minister talked a bit about a Revenue Stabilization Policy. I was just wondering whether or not there has been any movement on that or if that is a goal of this department in this next fiscal year. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, I will let Ms. Melhorn speak to some of the specifics. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Ms. Melhorn.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Melhorn

The department has done some work on the concept of a Revenue Stabilization Fund, one that would look at perhaps using a certain number for, say, corporate income tax that would try to address the volatility of our corporate income taxes. It would have to recognize that, in some years, where corporate income taxes were higher than that figure, that those taxes would be set aside to put into the fund and then to be used when tax revenues were lower than that amount. Now, I guess the issue would be what amount you would budget for with corporate taxes. It is very difficult to determine what is sort of an average level of taxes that you could budget for.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Ms. Melhorn. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you for the explanation. I guess the next question would be whether or not it is going to be part of this next budget or this 2009-10 that we are talking about now. I am guessing not, but I realize it is difficult to determine the actual dollar figure that we are going to set but we have to start somewhere. I am wondering when we would start. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, we recognize, starting with the budget address, that

our revenues are going to be probably facing some significant downward pressure and that we are going to have to be looking at our planning assumptions almost on a monthly basis. This is a territory that even the bankers and economists with their vaunted ability to make sense of things can’t predict how fast things are moving and how steeply the drop has been. We recognize, and I have mentioned this in this House before, that by fall time when we gather again we are going to be looking and I think having to do some significant readjusting in terms of all our planning assumptions, especially in terms of our revenues and what other potential costs may be out there. For example, if we have another significantly hot and dry summer, in terms of fire seasons, but in terms of revenue stabilization at this point, we are trying to and we are going to make that collective decision, how do we try and level out both expenditures and revenues, protecting programs, avoiding, not raising taxes through internal efficiencies, as well as the amount of debt we are prepared and can afford to carry. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are on page 5-16, activity summary, fiscal policy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 5-17, activity summary, fiscal policy, operations expenditure summary, $1.205 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Sorry. I did have another question relative to funding for non-government organizations. I am not sure if it falls in this section or not, but it is sort of policy I think, maybe, perhaps. Again, there has been a lot of discussion about the need for NGOs to have more than single-year funding and there has been talk about them moving them towards multi-year funding. I would like to know if there is any news or positive news on that front or if there is anything that is in the works.

The other part of that is there a document out which apparently is going to be discussed with NGOs at some time? I understand it has gone to managers of programs who deal with NGOs, but I wonder if the Minister could advise when it is going to be reviewed with the non-government organizations themselves and when they will have some input into this particular guiding document. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

That document referred to by Ms. Bisaro will be reviewed this weekend as the NGOs gather and to have their session on fiscal policies governing NGOs. The multi-year funding issue is there. It is available in

some cases. I think we are looking at trying to get general applicability so that it is consistent for all NGOs to provide some comfort and surety. Everything, of course, is being contingent upon the final decision of this House on a year-by-year basis in terms of the final budget. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you for the information. I was hoping that it was going to be discussed this weekend, the document anyway, so that is good. With regards to sort of the guidelines and the policies on multi-year funding, is that something that will also be sort of a result of this document? I think it is great that you are trying to set things in place. I know there are some NGOs who are now funded for more than one year, but if there can be sort of general guidelines that apply to all NGOs, if that is where the Minister is going, when do we think that might be in place? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, the hope would be that we’ll go through this process with the NGOs and it is a long outstanding issue. The intent would be to try to move forward to put that policy change into the upcoming business planning process.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are on page 5-17, activity summary, fiscal policy, operations expenditure summary, $1.205 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 5-18, information item, fiscal policy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 5-20, activity summary, budget, treasury and debt management.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-21, activity summary, budget, treasury and debt management, operations expenditure summary, $9.620 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have another policy question. I am sort of not sure where it lies but it has to do with budget development so I presumed it came in this section. We were given to understand that the department, I think in conjunction with other departments, is looking at developing a mechanism to approve multi-year infrastructure with large capital or infrastructure projects. I wonder if I can get an update on where that is at. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

That work is underway. We want to get the pieces in place for

the upcoming capital planning process for this fall. I will ask Ms. Melhorn to speak with a little more detail. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Ms. Melhorn.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Melhorn

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The department has been working on a major rewrite of the Financial Administration Act. But the change to allow for multi-year appropriations for capital, we would like to advance that work, so we have been focussing on that. We hope to have a legislative proposal complete very shortly that would be submitted and, if possible, to bring legislation to the May-June session. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

That is great good news. I’m really glad that the Minister mentioned the capital budget coming up in the fall. I wonder if he could advise Members when we might have an opportunity to -- I think I called this a wish list the other day -- provide input to put items on the capital wish list prior to it being developed by whichever department and departments are doing it. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, the capital, of course, is projects are based on need, in which there is an extensive list, many of it multi-year. We have the capital planning process we would be more than happy to share. It lays out some of the criteria. What the plan is that hopefully we are working right now as we speak pulling together the work on the capital plan for 2010 and on, and that as soon as we have had an opportunity as a Cabinet and FMB to look at that -- which we are anticipating will be some time in June -- we would be looking to share that with committee so that they would have ample time to look at it prior to gathering again in the fall. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Minister. If we can get the information to the Clerk and get it circulated to Members, it would be great. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that there is a lot of work that has to be done. I appreciate that the capital plan is developed based on infrastructure needs in various and sundry places and communities, but I am sure the Minister can appreciate that different Members have a different identification or a different definition of what need is in their community. I am a little concerned that there is no opportunity before sort of the list is finalized for Members to provide input to the developers of this particular list of particular items which they feel are needed in their riding or their community. I guess I would like to ask the Minister if there is an opportunity for Members to

provide input on a particular project which they, as Members, or their riding or community feels is absolutely necessary, that it could be thrown into the mix and considered at the same time that the capital plan is considered based on the guidelines that are there.

I want to say that I believe in those guidelines that are there. I think they are good. I think the process is good, but I think there also needs to be an opportunity for Members to put forward pet projects or wish list projects which very often don’t ever get to the list. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

If a Member has a specific project that is not on the existing information that we all have, then the process would be that the suggestion would be that the Member would in fact submit something in writing to the respective Minister, be it Health, Transportation or Housing. That would be added to the mix and considered against the same criteria as the other projects, keeping in mind, of course, the limited pot, but that would be the way to get something on paper and into the process. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

That is good to hear. Just to recap I guess, the information that we all have, that is the 20-year capital plan. If the Minister could confirm that and if he would also confirm that he would get that information to committee, we look at that information and if we have anything which we feel is not there that should be there, it is in writing to the Minister of the appropriate department. I would suggest we also copy the Finance Minister. If I can get clarification, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

There is a 20-year needs assessment but we also have, and the committee has seen it, the documentation of the projected four-year capital plan that will get us for a five-year capital plan which is going to be updated as projects are completed and other ones are added. Yes, if you write to the appropriate Minister and copy the Finance Minister, then that particular document will be added to the list for consideration. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We’re on page 5-21, activity summary, budget, treasury and debt management, operations expenditure summary, $9.620 million. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 5-22, activity summary, budget, treasury and debt management, grants and contributions, contributions, $48,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-23, information item, budget, treasury and debt management, activity positions. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 5-24, activity summary, office of the comptroller general. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-25, activity summary, office of the comptroller general, operations expenditure summary, $20.475 million. Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have to highlight this rather scary Power Subsidy Program. The cost of power is a huge concern across the North. All of us that pay bills will have noticed the changes. A large change from $9.9 million to $14.1 million in the Power Subsidy Program, that’s almost a 50 percent leap this year. It includes the $3.2 million for the commercial power subsidy. My concern here is I think this reflects a slavish commitment to a fossil fuel future, if you will, by the Power Corporation, and expense that comes with that, instead of investing in things like small hydro that result in a decreasing power cost and power bills over time.

So, again, I want to ask this Minister if he’s going to ensure that the administration of this commercial power subsidy will in fact be directed to the production of renewable or alternative energy sources that will provide long-term benefits to the commercial entities, rather than simply a deep holdethat we throw the $3.2 million in every year as fossil fuel costs go up and the benefits go down from that budget. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister of Finance.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This campaign for alternative energy and to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels is a campaign that has a number of fronts, and there are some short-term objectives and there are mid and long-term objectives. We’ve put $60 million into this particular initiative.

The intent of the commercial subsidy is a short-term support to allow us to try to bring down the cost of living in the small communities as we invest the other $57 million, or $51 million, into mini-hydro, extending some transmission lines, biomass, wind, sorting out geothermal in the communities where it’s applicable, recognizing that those take time. But the need to help positively impact the cost of living is now.

Yes, subsidies are not a long-term solution. We recognize that. But it’s an issue, especially if you live outside of Yellowknife where the costs are the highest. We all recognize that that’s an enormous pressure and we’re trying to address a number of issues, short-term, long-term. The long-term goal is to definitely reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, our greenhouse gasses, lower the cost of living, but we also have to be prepared to help today. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I appreciate the Minister’s remarks. Of course, if I was to put a woodstove in my building or a pellet boiler, I would have immediately reduced energy bills; immediately. If I was to have solar panels mounted so that I could be heating water with the use of solar, my electricity bills for heating water -- one of the biggest sources of electricity -- or running the freezer would be reduced by 50 percent per year from then on. These pieces of equipment have long lives. We don’t even know how long solar panels, photovoltaic cells last because they last so long. So again I would ask the Minister, will he look for ways, other than just throwing money into a big, deep, dark hole, that bring long-term benefits to our commercial entities out there? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, the Member and I both want to get to the same point in this whole exercise. I would point out that we have many programs, as well, that currently exist to assist both private individuals and businesses with conversion to the new technologies: biomass, wood pellet, whatever it may be. But there are also significant and expensive costs, in stores for example, to run freezers and coolers which cost a lot. So we’re trying to meet multiple needs here. I appreciate the Member’s concern. We do have that opportunity for those businesses and residents that will give you incentives, will give up to I think it’s $15,000 or so for bigger units. At the same time, we have to recognize that we’ve budgeted money for the short term to try to bring down some of the other operating costs that can’t be offset right away in terms of running the freezers and coolers and those type of things, especially in stores where the price of food in small communities is such a big issue. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I think we, indeed, are on the same track. But again the opportunities are huge out there. Every community has a grocery outlet of some kind or another and they all have large freezers and walk-in freezers and places where they store dairy and so on that’s accessible to the customers. There are systems now that use outside air, which we know in the North is often cold and obvious efficiencies to be gained with some direction to the dollars. So I’ll just leave it there as a further comment on the opportunities that are there, and also to say we cannot do business as usual

any longer. As much as it’s tiring to keep talking about climate change and so on, the fact is there. We know how much we need to cut back and we cannot afford to miss opportunities to achieve those gains. So, thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We’re on page 5-25, activity summary, office of the comptroller general, operations expenditure summary, $20.475 million. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 5-26, activity summary, office of the comptroller general, grants and contributions, contributions, $14.085 million. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Information item, page 5-27, office of the comptroller general, active positions. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 5-28, activity summary, office of the chief information officer, activity description.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-29, activity summary, office of the chief information officer, operations expenditure summary, $1.309 million. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Information item, page 5-30, office of the chief information officer, active positions. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-31, information item, lease commitments - infrastructure. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to 5-32, information item, Liquor Revolving Fund. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-33, information item, Liquor Revolving Fund, active positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 5-34, information item, work performed on behalf of others. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Okay. We can move back to page 5-7, department summary, operations expenditure summary, $74.875 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does the committee agree that we’ve concluded the main estimates for the Department of Finance?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, I’d like to thank the Minister and thank the witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses out.

Is committee agreed the next department we’ll be considering at this time is the Department of Executive?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, I’ll ask the Minister responsible for the Department of Executive if he has some opening remarks. Mr. Roland.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present the 2009-10 main estimates for the Department of Executive. The goals for the Department of Executive are centred around our role in ensuring effective coordination of government activities, supporting informed decision-making related to policies and programming, and coordinating implementation of strategic initiatives that advance the priorities of the 16th Legislative Assembly.

The overall proposed budget for the department is $11.891 million for 2009-10, which is a decline of 6.1 percent from the 2008-09 main estimates. The overall decline is largely due to the impacts of the reductions initiated in 2008-09 being fully implemented. The department will have 59 active positions in 2009-10, which is unchanged from 2008-09.

The 2009-10 main estimates reflect a number of key activities where the department will play a critical role in leading or coordinating the development and implementation of strategic actions that advance the Assembly’s priorities.

The executive operations branch includes the strategic planning unit, program review office, Bureau of Statistics, office of devolution, and the regional operations offices for the Department of Executive. In addition to the core business activities, there are a number of priority areas that will be advanced during 2009-10. The branch helps coordinate activities of the Strategic Initiative committees. It will also play a coordinating role related to further activities to improve service

delivery in rural and remote communities in cooperation with the Committee on Rural and Remote Communities. The department is also working with Finance and a number of impacted departments on the work to provide further support to non-government organizations that deliver critical services on behalf of the GNWT. They are also providing overall coordination for the GNWT participation at the 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

The program review office was established in June 2008 and is getting fully staffed and has begun work on a number of reviews. The office of devolution continues to lead our efforts on devolution negotiations and has helped coordinate the GNWT review of the Northern Regulatory Improvement Initiative. The Bureau of Statistics continues their efforts to enhance evidence-based information available for decision-making, with an early focus in the new year to complete the 2009 community survey.

The regional offices of the Executive have completed the transformation to two regional directors and are functioning well with active regional management committees in all five regions. These committees work on inter-departmental regional issues and bring a regional perspective to the development of strategic actions for government.

The Cabinet support branch of the Department of Executive is responsible for ensuring systems are in place to support informed decision-making and successful implementation of Cabinet direction. The branch includes the Cabinet Secretariat, legislation and house planning, corporate communications and protocol, the Women’s Advisory Office, and supports the Commissioner’s Office.

In addition to the core activities of the branch, a key focus for 2009-10 will be improving GNWT communications planning and delivery. While departments are and will continue to be responsible for their departmental communications, we will be taking steps to provide a more coordinated and strategic approach to communications on a government-wide level.

These main estimates also increase our support for the Status of Women’s Council for the NWT and the Native Women’s Association to help ensure they are able to continue to deliver important services on behalf of the GNWT.

Other key activities for the department that are reflected in these main estimates include the Ministers’ offices which include the Premier’s office and support to Ministers. Also reflected is the departmental directorate which includes the office of the secretary to Cabinet who is responsible for

providing overall leadership for the public service, supporting Executive Council decision-making and coordinating the development and implementation of overall government-wide direction. Finally, the department also provides administrative support to the Public Utilities Board, which is the independent regulatory agency responsible for energy regulation within the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Chairman, that concludes my introductory remarks and I would be pleased to answer any questions that committee members may have. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Premier, with that we’ll take a short break and we’ll begin again shortly.

---SHORT RECESS

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. At this time, I’d like to ask the Premier if he’d like to bring in witnesses. Mr. Premier.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does committee agree the Premier brings in his witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Agreed. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Mr. Premier, please introduce your witnesses.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is secretary to Cabinet, Mr. David Ramsden, and to my right is Mr. David Stewart with the Department of Executive. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Welcome, witnesses. General comments on the Department of Executive. Detail?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Detail.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Okay. We’ll refer to page 2-7 and from there, we will defer that and move on to page 2-8, infrastructure investment summary, information item. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 2-9, information item, revenue summary. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 2-10, information item, active positions. Mr. Abernethy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you. Just to be consistent, can we get a breakdown of positions in this department by P1, P2, P3 and any women and disabled as well? Not women who are disabled, just women and disabled.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Premier.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We will provide that information as a handout.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you. Is that it?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 2-10, information item.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to 2-12, directorate.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 2-13, activity summary, directorate, operations expenditure summary, $1.347 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-14, activity summary, directorate, grants and contributions, grants, $150,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Contributions, $18,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Total grants and contributions, $168,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-15, information item, directorate, information item, active positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-16 and 2-17, Ministers’ offices, activity summary, operations expenditure summary, $3.017 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-18, information item, Ministers’ offices, active positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We’re on page 2-20, 2-21, activity summary, executive operations. Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Did you say 2-20?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

2-21. That’s where we’re at, yes. Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Lightning speed here. Could we go back to 2-20?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Go ahead.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wondered...Early on I believe that our strategic planning discussions, like very early on, we talked about the statistics that are collected and the usefulness of them and so on, and I think quite a number of Members make use of the Bureau of Statistics’ products and so on. There was discussion at the time, and I believe from our staff, that there was increasing environmental monitoring and statistics or there was recognition of the need for that. I’m wondering what progress has been made in increasing and what environmental statistics do we now include in the bureau and perhaps which ones are under consideration. I think it would be very useful to have some additional information. Thanks.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Premier Roland.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the Bureau of Statistics quite a number of things and information is gathered and used, as the Member has stated, going out there and the need to expand on that work. I’ll have Mr. Stewart give some detail as to how that work is progressing.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Stewart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

David Stewart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Bureau of Statistics is working with Statistics Canada who is developing a broad-based set of indicators around the environment. There are a lot of challenges with measuring some of the elements around the environment, but there is that work that is going on. There’s also work that’s going on with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources around environmental indicators and a more common reporting mechanism there as well.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that and it would be good to know more about this and maybe have the opportunity to discuss it and see if there might be some things we could, if there was interest in certain things to be monitored, we could put that up for consideration too if the Premier

would be up for a briefing on that at some point. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Premier Roland.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

We’d be happy to work with Members and set some time up so we can go over the process that’s established when we work with the federal government and some of our own work as well. We’d be happy to set some time up and provide that briefing. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 2-20.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Page 2-21, activity summary, executive operations, operations expenditure summary, $4.161 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-22, activity summary, executive operations, grants and contributions, contributions, $80,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-23, information item, executive operations, activity positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-24, 2-25, Public Utilities Board, activity summary. Mr. Menicoche.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. The Public Utilities Board functions are integral to the review of the power rates, Mr. Chair. Just wondering if there are any discussions by the Minister’s office to include any, I don’t want to say review of the Public Utilities Board, but can it be included in the discussions, the electrical rates review, et cetera? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Premier Roland.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, the Honourable Bob McLeod is the lead on that initiative and has been pulling that work together that is about to get underway, and as he has reported, will report back in June. PUB is part of the whole equation, but maybe we can go to Minister Bob McLeod and he can give us further detail.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Bob McLeod.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As part of the electricity review, as the Premier has stated, we will be looking at how the PUB works and the function of the PUB and whether there is

some other form of oversight that could be looked at. I think it’s important to recognize that whether the PUB is there or not, there would be some cost involved in monitoring the rates that are set. It will be looked at as part of the electricity review. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Hawkins.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m not sure how it would fit in conjunction with the PUB, but I was reading, I guess in the province of New Brunswick they were suggesting from the appropriate Minister that they do a regular annual review through the PUB on New Brunswick power utility. What they want to do is...I get the sense that they want to keep current so that way if prices certainly go down, that they are certainly reflected of the actuals. It would be certain that if there is no application for increases, you know, in the context if everything keeps dropping. But yet, on the other hand, there’s nothing that guarantees the rates will drop down next year because there’s no review to trigger that scenario. One person may say, well, if you do a review every year that gives justification to increase, but at least the argument on the other side is when prices adjust or calm down to some degree that they’re more reflective of the actual times. I suspect with the way the oil has dropped to a third of what it was last year and that was...It was at its peak, as we all remember quite distinctly, when the application was made to the PUB to increase the rates. Is there any type of philosophy to consider that type of approach that they go through, re-justify their cost every year? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Premier.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Chairman, the process of the review rate structures and regulations and the subsidy program will take into account and respond back with a report back to this Assembly through the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee. There are things like that that are being contemplated is the legislation that would be needed if we were to change the process where we would have more flexibility in doing that. Right now, for example, there’s a general rate application that is done once every three years but there are rate riders put into place and once they’ve achieved the revenue that they were supposed to achieve, those rate riders drop off. There is a process in place. This review will undertake looking at what we will have to do if we want to make those changes and then it will be up to this Assembly if changes were to be requested and made. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Chairman, it’s funny, because I think we were talking this morning about how each Minister has their own little key saying or phrase

and when they want to answer a question they answer it a certain way. Although we’re not here to pick on every other Minister, I know that Minister Roland, when he reaches the end of his question, instead of saying yes, we’ll look into it or I’ll take that under consideration, he says “ah, but if the Assembly wants to do that,” and it’s almost like pushing it back on us. Although he smiles now, he hasn’t fooled anyone to think that that’s his way of dealing with many issues that whether it’s good or not, it’s if the Assembly chooses that’s the way to go, then we’ll consider it at that time.

Mr. Chairman, I’m asking, would the Minister consider that approach, not the Assembly, to take that under consideration and certainly under advisement to inform those people doing this work right now to take a look at that approach? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Chairman, in the spirit on consensus, working together, the fact that legislative changes requires this Assembly to make that decision. Right now the legislation is fairly straightforward and to the point where the flexibility isn’t there. If we were to decide that we wanted that, we would have to come forward with legislative changes. We’re open to all sorts of opportunities or situations or positions to be taken coming forward and is committed, once that report comes back through the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, working with Members we would jointly decide on what initiatives we want to undertake. That’s why I say if the Assembly wants to do it, we are one group and if there was support to move that initiative forward, we would undertake that action. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate you knowing that I was going to respond to that without having to wait for a signal from me. Mr. Chairman, I have to challenge the Minister on the appreciative step of context saying the spirit of consensus will, you know, in the sense the Assembly get the final word. I guess I’m looking for the sense and the direction from the Minister to include that in part of the work that’s going on. That issue could be laid quite simply before the reviews, the multi-tasks that are going on to consider what future power looks like. Well, this should be some of the element that should be given by direction through the Minister as a consideration. It doesn’t need House approval or the will of the House to force it through and no one wants...I don’t think this issue needs to be forced.

When the Minister ends his comments, you know, we’re open...I mean, I don’t want to hear we’re open. I want to hear the Minister’s taking charge of the issue. I would certainly hope that the Minister would be agreeable today to say that was something that he’d be putting forward in this

review process for them to consider rather than waiting until it’s after the fact and it’s done and then it’s almost like it’s too late.

Mr. Chairman, just to be direct, would the Minister advise the review folks to consider this issue while they do their overall review as an element of making sure that power rates are reflective and responsible for the times? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. From being Captain Consensus to a dictator to reaching out with extended arms to work together, then a Member telling me go get it done. In the spirit of consensus, we are going to work together. That option is there as we go through this review and we believe it’s open to that possibility and we are ready to take that if, in fact, that’s what the Members would like to see happen. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

That was the other catch phrase this Minister likes to use, “if that’s an option that’s there.” There are about three more. He hasn’t quite used them all up today. The issue is, would the Minister forward this as a consideration to these review panels? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Chairman, the group on the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee had sent out that discussion paper and initially had, I believe, their first meeting yesterday and are starting their work. It is open to all avenues when we talk about rates regulation structure, the subsidy, so it is there. We expect that when that report comes back we’ll be able to do a full review and decide at that point what changes we’d like to make. As we’re listening here, concerns about that and looking at that flexibility, that’s definitely going to be one of those issues we’ll have on the table. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Premier. We’re on page 2-25, activity summary, Public Utilities Board, operations expenditure summary, $423,000. Mr. Hawkins.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m glad to hear that they’ve just started their work and, therefore, it’s not too late. I just want to make sure that that’s the issue. I just clearly want to make sure that that’s going to be one of the...And I’m not asking for semantics or fancy footwork on rhetoric here. I just want to make sure that that is a question laid before the discussion. If the Minister commits today that that will be one of the questions on the table when the review presents its findings and comparisons...Should it be included in the mix of the review? I just want to make it clear that it’s part of the question that’s being analyzed to the bigger picture. That’s all I’m asking. You don’t need to be Captain Consensus to include that. I think it’s a simple wish. I’m asking, would they make this a

simple consideration of their review? No one’s telling them they have to do this. It’s only I want to make sure that they have the full understanding of options before them and I think this is possibly a simple option that could be useful. It might not be the right option, and I would accept that. If analysis said it wasn’t the right option, I’d accept that. I just want to make sure that it doesn’t get lost in the mix, because there’s so much information coming forward and I just want it to be officially laid out as that. Would the Minister agree today and I’d be happy to agree the page is concluded.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Premier Roland.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think we’ve been talking the same language, maybe just different words. That is one of the options that is on the table. We’re trying to create flexibility looking at it. So maybe a little clearer: Yes! Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Activity summary, Public Utilities Board, operations expenditure summary, $423,000.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on. Information item, Public Utilities Board, activity positions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-28, Cabinet support. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a couple questions here. The Premier, in his opening remarks, referenced improving communications planning and delivery and I’m very glad to hear that. I think it’s one of the things that probably Members have mentioned quite a few times in the last year. I wondered if there was any kind of details that you could provide to indicate to us how you are going to effect this improved communications planning and delivery. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Premier Roland.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Chairman, there are quite a number of areas. Some of them will be considered to be fairly straightforward, I guess, and minor changes, but some will reach a little more into the day-to-day operations of government overall. For example, each department has a communications section and when they do announcements, press releases, messaging for Ministers at different meetings, conferences, speaking notes, print material, they tend to do the work from a departmental perspective. At one point in the history of the Government of the Northwest Territories there used to be a media...I guess the proper term slips my mind right now, but there was

a section with the Executive that actually coordinated media across departments. That was, I believe, the last time that was in place was the 12th Assembly. We’re looking at something like that to bring a better coordination between all departments. We’re going to make it mandatory that all departments’ communications meet with the office here, whether on a weekly basis, to go over materials, the messaging being sent, to ensure that our messaging is consistent. That’s one level. As well as our communication with committees and other governments outside is going to be consistent in that.

There are a number of activities there. There is going to be some...Well, there were some initial minor changes within our operation and that change is still ongoing. With the approval of this budget it will give us a bit more on the revenue side so we can continue on with that change. I can ask Mr. Ramsden to give a little more detail on the functional process that we will be undergoing. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Ramsden

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Dave Ramsden

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, as the Premier has indicated, we have taken a more proactive role in pulling from departments all of their upcoming activities so that we can both achieve some balance, eliminate the overlap and make sure that we can maintain a fairly steady rate of communication. We have started a fairly extensive communication process, really, just to start to help people across the Northwest Territories understand all of the ways in which government spending affects and serves them today, and so taking a much more proactive stance to show really where the full cost of government goes in terms of improving the lives of people.

We have started to do some focus groups as well just to get a read from people in a variety of communities about what they want to know and what they think about the way in which we are communicating today. So we can take that critical advice back in and distribute it to departments. That gives you at least an initial sense of what is going on there. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you for the explanations. That is great. I did hear Mr. Ramsden talk about showing how the government is spending its money. It leads into my next question which relates to something I mentioned before. That has to do with advertising and whether or not there are guidelines for advertising. I have noticed over the last month to two months that we have had some full page ads in certainly the Yellowknife papers and News/North basically promoting the

government. I am not absolutely sure of the message. If I’m not sure, I guess other people probably aren’t sure either. I guess I would like to know whether or not this is something that is going to be considered sort of in line with the communications change in the way that we are doing things and/or, and this might relate to the program review office, but are there guidelines for advertising from a government-wide perspective? There probably are within each department, but do we look at how much money we spend on advertising and determine whether or not we get value for it? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That type of work as well will be looked at once we do bring our staff back up to level here within Cabinet to process and look at how we communicate, how departments communicate and that connection. The print media that has gone out right now, for example, is one where those focus groups are giving us input as to: Is it making sense? Are they getting enough information? Is the detail the right kind of detail? That is part of what we will be evaluating as we go forward. I think there will be a need to step it up in certain areas, whether it is maybe more detail and some of our initial feedback. Is there some surprise? That we are involved in as many areas as we are, then once they get that information, there are some of the questions, okay, give us some more detail on how it actually works and what programming dollars are available in certain areas. We will be doing an evaluation of that and looking to see how we can enhance it with the type of material that goes out there and the type of advertising we do as well. There are some standards out there to the type and style of advertising. For example, our government logos and so on, those are sort of the standards in place when you see the contract pieces go out or a request for tenders and so on. There is a variety of ones out there. This could also undertake that work to see if we can standardize another step in that area. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

I do recognize that there are times when we have to advertise tenders, jobs and that sort of thing. I have no problem with that. It is the advertising, particularly newspaper advertising that we do advertising particular days or just advertising sort of this is the government, aren’t we wonderful. I really wonder whether or not there is value there. I am glad to hear that it is being evaluated. I guess I would sort of push again for the establishment of some sort of guidelines that could be communicated to every department that these are the sorts of things that you should be spending money on advertising for and these things really don’t bother doing it because we are wasting our money.

I have one last question regarding we received a document from the Premier quite some time ago which had to do with communications and basically communications from the Premier’s office and from Cabinet. At the time, I believe the Premier indicated that it was going to be fleshed out somewhat. It can be made a little bit more detailed. I haven’t seen anything in that regard. So if I can get an update, that would be helpful. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Chairman, on the first, the advertising piece, yes, as we do the evaluation on the information we are getting out there, some of the things we have to do is reach out to some of the other regions and communities that don’t get quite as much coverage or as good coverage as the larger centres. We know the information here in the capital, because it is so available and we are right in the city, the information gets out fairly fast and quickly. Some of our measurement needs to be out there in the communities as well. The work that we are undergoing on the communications piece and out of my office and Cabinet itself, that work is ongoing. I hope I can present something to committee before spring comes -- I guess our northern spring, not the calendar day spring -- that we will be able to present something to Members for your input and feedback. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

That is good to hear. I look forward to seeing that. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are on page 2-29, activity summary, Cabinet support, operations expenditure summary, $2.943 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 2-30, activity summary, Cabinet support. Mr. Bromley.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to check with the Premier on this. I know in his introductory comments he noted these main estimates also increase our support for the Status of Women Council for the NWT and the Native Women’s Association. It is indicated on this page that there is, in fact, an $8,000 increase to the Status of Women’s Council for the NWT and $6,000 increase for Native Women’s Association. These organizations we know do good work. Those are fairly modest increases there. I just want to see if there were other things that were meant by the… Did those amounts warrant this mention in the Premier’s opening remarks or was there additional support that is not noted here? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Premier Roland.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Chairman, the way our structure works right now, at least until we get

this conference that we’re working on right now as well as volunteers and NGOs and the funding arrangements reviewed and looked at, if there are changes from there, these groups fall under the same category as departments in the sense of forced growth. So the additional support falls into the forced growth range at this time. Aside from, for example, last summer, we supported or held the NAWS-2 conference here and we had to find additional funds from within to help in an area like that. We haven’t bumped up an annual besides forced growth as it qualifies right now. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

So, in fact, the reference in the opening remarks of increased support for the Status of Women’s Council and the Native Women’s Association is not really accurate. They just got a cost of living adjustment. Is that correct? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Chairman, forced growth increased support. We are giving them more dollars to help with the high cost of living, but additional over and above that, there hasn’t been additional funding at this time. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Right. Thank you for that clarification. I will take that as a yes. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Premier Roland, is that a yes?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A play on words, we can do all day. The fact is we have lived within the guidelines right now in dealing with forced growth but there hasn’t been additional dollars put to that. So I would say that there is support in the forced growth area, but for new initiatives, there hasn’t been additional support put there. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Okay. We’re on page 2-30, activity summary, Cabinet support, grants and contributions, grants, $219,000. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Contributions, $586,000. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Total grants and contributions, $805,000. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Moving on to page 2-31, information item, Cabinet support, active positions. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We’re on page 2-32, information items, lease commitments - infrastructure. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Okay. Move back to program summary, Executive, operations expenditure summary, $11.891 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does the committee agree consideration of the Department of Executive is completed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, I’d like to thank the Premier and the witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out.

Can I get Members to go to page 5 of the information summary. Summary of operations for fiscal year for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, revenues, $1,300,803. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Operations expense, total operations expense to be voted: $1,201,592. Agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does the committee agree that consideration of Tabled Document 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010, is concluded?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Abernethy.

Committee Motion 12-16(3): Concurrence Of Td 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010 Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 11-16(3), Northwest Territories Main Estimates 2009-2010, be now concluded, and that Tabled Document 11-16(3) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.

Committee Motion 12-16(3): Concurrence Of Td 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010 Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The motion is being distributed. To the motion.

Committee Motion 12-16(3): Concurrence Of Td 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010 Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Committee Motion 12-16(3): Concurrence Of Td 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010 Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Question is being called.

---Carried

---Applause

What is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Committee Motion 12-16(3): Concurrence Of Td 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010 Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Committee Motion 12-16(3): Concurrence Of Td 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010 Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I will rise and report progress.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Can I have the report of Committee of the Whole, please, Mr. Krutko.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010, and would like to report progress, with one motion being adopted, and that consideration of Tabled Document 11-16(3) be concluded that that the House concur that those estimates and that appropriation bill to be based thereon and introduced without delay. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Motion is on the floor. Do we have a seconder? The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

---Carried

Item 22, third reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2008-2009, be read for the third time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Motion is on the floor. To the motion.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 8 has had third reading.

---Carried

Before I go to orders of the day, colleagues, I’d like to thank our Pages that have been working for us,

especially today here. We have two Pages from Tsiigehtchic and Pages from St. Pat’s School in Yellowknife here.

---Applause

Mr. Clerk, item 23, orders of the day.

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Orders of the day for Friday, March 6, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.:

1. Prayer

2. Ministers’

Statements

3. Members’

Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

6. Acknowledgements

7. Oral

Questions

8. Written

Questions

9. Returns to Written Questions

10. Replies to Opening Address

11. Petitions

12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

14. Tabling of Documents

15. Notices of Motion

16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

17. Motions

18. First Reading of Bills

- Bill 9, Northern Employees Benefits

Services Pension Plan Protection Act

19. Second Reading of Bills

20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of

Bills and Other Matters - Tabled Document 7-16(3), Ministerial

Benefits Policy

- Committee Report 2-16(3), Standing

Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Matters Referred to the Committee

- Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical

Resources Act

- Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft

Equipment Act

- Bill 4, Public Library Act

- Bill 5, Professional Corporations Act

- Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial

Assistance Act

21. Report of Committee of the Whole

22. Third Reading of Bills

23. Orders of the Day

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Friday, March 6, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 6:37 p.m.