This is page numbers 4463 - 4502 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was health.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Bill 11: An Act To Amend The Workers’ Compensation Act
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure has reviewed Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act. The committee wishes to report that Bill 11 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 11: An Act To Amend The Workers’ Compensation Act
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bill 3: Medical Profession Act
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 3, Medical Profession Act, and committee wishes to report that Bill 3 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 3: Medical Profession Act
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Item 14, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled 2009 NWT Survey of Mining Employees Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mr. Speaker, further to my return to Written Question 17-16(4), I wish to table the following document entitled Lutselk’e Income Assistance and Public Housing Rental Subsidy Program Caseload Statistics 2007-2010. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, February 26, 2010, I will move that Bill 12, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 4, 2009-2010, be read for the first time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 2, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2009-

2010; Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act; Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Commissioner’s Land Act; Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Summary Conviction Procedures Act; Tabled Document 62-16(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011; Tabled Document 78-16(4), Supplementary Appropriation (Operations Expenditures) No. 3, 2009-2010; Tabled Document 84-16(4), Supplementary Appropriation (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 4, 2010-2011; Minister’s Statement 47-16(4), Transfer of the Public Housing Rental Subsidy; Committee Report 5-16(4), Report on the Review of the 2008-2009 Human Rights Commission Annual Report, with Mr. Krutko in the chair. By the authority given me as Speaker by Motion 12-16(4), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment to consider the business before the House.

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. We have several items to deal with: Bills 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, Tabled Document 62-16(4), Tabled Document 78-16(4), Tabled Document 84-16(4), Minister’s Statement 47-16(4), Committee Report 5-16(4). What is the wish of committee? Mr. 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. The committee, I believe, would like to deal with the last department in the budget, the Department of Human Resources, and then move on to Supplementary Appropriation No. 3, Supplementary Appropriation No. 1 and then Bill 2, time permitting, Forgiveness of Debts Act. 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

Committee agree?

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. With that, well take a short break and begin with the Department of HR.

---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 the Committee of the Whole back to order. As we agreed prior the break, we will continue on with the Department of Human Resources. At this time I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for Human Resources if he has any opening comments. 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

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to present the Department of Human Resources main estimates for the fiscal year 2010-2011. The mandate of the department is to provide leadership and direction to the Government of the Northwest Territories, its boards and agencies, in all areas of human resource management.

The Department of Human Resources is the face of the Government of the Northwest Territories as an employer. As the human resource service agency of the Government of the Northwest Territories, we are responsible for the development and implementation of government-wide human resource management, recruitment and compensation practices. Our advice on these practices supports departmental and agency decision-making.

The department is proposing a budget of $40.073 million in operational expenses for the coming fiscal year. This represents an increase of $4.994 million or an increase of 14.24 percent over the last main estimates. This includes $2.017 million for the NWT Public Service Strategy Plan 20/20: A Brilliant North and Service Stabilization Initiative, forced growth funding of $3.120 million for core operations resulting from the compensation increase negotiated during a successfully completed collective bargaining session. The forced growth also includes increased costs for the public service medical travel and dental benefits. Finally, Mr. Chair, the increase includes a corporate initiative of $136,000 for the printing of the Collective Agreement and implementation costs, and a sunset amount of $279,000 for arbitration hearings and for the Yellowknife consolidated clinic.

Mr. Chair, improving human resource management in the Government of the Northwest Territories is one of the priorities of the 16th Legislative Assembly

and one of the key components of the Refocusing Government committee mandate.

Mr. Chair, I would like to outline for you the key themes of 20/20: A Brilliant North, and the programs and initiatives under development for 2010-11.

Under the theme of “proving a healthy, safe work environment for employees:”

The department will create a health, wellness and safety framework for the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The Aboriginal Cross-Cultural Awareness and Diversity Awareness training programs are under development, to be available to all departments by April 1, 2011. This will include e-training a component in the orientation and on-the-land cultural opportunities. The e-training will be available on-line to all existing and prospective employees.

There is a GNWT Green Team and a number of departments have started their own green teams.

Mr. Chair, under the theme of “create a diverse and inclusive workplace representative of the Northwest Territories population:”

The department is organizing regional advisory committees to provide a regional perspective and support the Aboriginal Employee Advisory Committee. These committees will help advise on issues related to the Affirmative Action Policy and methods of increasing the fair representation of aboriginal employees within the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The GNWT Advisory Committee on

Employability will be operational by March 2010. This committee will advise the Human Resources Deputy Minister’s Committee on methods of promote, support and increase the representation of persons with disabilities within the Government of the Northwest Territories workforce.

A sensitivity training project will be piloted in March 2010. The training, focused at directors, managers, officers, administration staff and persons with disabilities, will give attendees a greater understanding of the workforce that is represented by people with disabilities.

The Human Resources employer of choice

unit, in addition to providing program support to the GNWT Advisory Committee on Employability, will develop a strategy and vision for increasing representation of all priority groups.

The Department of Human Resources will be increasing our ability to track and report on all employees with disabilities who require an accommodation in our continuing attempt to increase the number of disabled employees, attract and retain them within the public service.

Mr. Chair, under the theme “demonstrate a commitment to learning and development of employees:”

The Department of Human Resources will

create a structure for the design, delivery, administration and evaluation of targeted programs for the advancement of aboriginal persons within the public sector. These programs will provide the foundation for an Aboriginal Learning and Leadership Initiative.

The department will make draft Government of the Northwest Territories-wide Learning Guidelines available by April 2010. The guidelines will help to provide much needed investment in learning and development within the public service.

Finally, Mr. Chair, under the theme “deliver effective workforce planning practices, from attraction to retirement:”

Human resource plans, which align with

business plans, are being piloted in three

departments: Environment and Natural Resources, Finance and Transportation.

A review and update of Government of the Northwest Territories recruitment and marketing initiatives is underway and includes a review of current departmental practices for hard to recruit positions. This information will be critical in the development of a Government of the Northwest Territories-wide recruitment strategy.

A Department of Human Resources Transition Team has been created to review and streamline existing processes. Work is underway to improve efficiencies, help resolve outstanding pay and benefits issues and look at improvements in other areas of human resource core service delivery.

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the Members of this House, specifically the Government Operations committee, for their support on these initiatives and of the NWT Public Service Strategic Plan 20/20: A Brilliant North. I will be pleased to answer any questions that Members have regarding the budget.

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’d like to ask if you’ll 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

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Yes, I will be, 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

Does 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.

For the record, Mr. Minister, can 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

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my left, I have Mr. Tom Williams, deputy minister, Human Resources. On my right, I have Michelle Beard, director of strategy and policy for the Department of Human Resources.

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. Any general comments in regard to the Department of Human Resources? What is the wish of the committee?