Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 62-16(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, be now concluded, and that Tabled Document 62-16(4) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
In the Legislative Assembly on February 24th, 2010. See this topic in context.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
I believe the next item we agreed to move to is Supplementary Appropriation No. 3, Tabled Document 78-16(4), Supplementary Appropriation No. 3, 2009-2010. Agreed?
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Mr. Minister, do you have any comments in regard to the supp? Minister Miltenberger.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Yes, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present Supplementary Appropriation No. 3, 2009-2010 (Operations Expenditures). This document outlines an increase of $13.326 million in operations expenditures for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The major items in this supplementary request include:
1. A total of $8.3 million for the Department of
Health and Social Services for increased costs primarily associated with the adults and children receiving care outside the Northwest Territories, the provision of supplementary health benefits, the vaccination program implemented by the department in response to the H1N1 pandemic, the purchase of blood products from Canadian Blood Services and the provision of services to non-NWT residents. The costs being incurred for non-NWT residents will be recovered from the home province or territory of the patient.
2. $1.6 million for the Department of Education,
Culture and Employment for the increased costs associated with the higher utilization of income support programs.
3. $1.4 million for the Department of Human
Resources for increased costs being incurred for medical travel assistance provided to
GNWT employees and increased dental premiums.
Also included in this supplementary request is funding for a $50,000 donation from the GNWT to the Canadian Red Cross to contribute to the aid relief efforts in Haiti.
I am prepared to review the details of the supplementary appropriation document, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Agreed. Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witness in.
For the record, Mr. Minister, can you introduce your witnesses?
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Mr. Chairman, Margaret Melhorn, deputy minister of Finance; Charles Tolley, the director of the Management Board Secretariat.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Welcome, witnesses. If we can turn to page 3, Executive, operations expenditures, Minister’s office, not previously authorized, $50,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Page 4, Human Resources, operations expenditures, employee services, not previously authorized, $1.394 million. Ms. Bisaro.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thanks, Mr. Chair. A question here. I guess I’m just a little bit surprised that we didn’t anticipate these increased costs. We’re almost $1.4 million in increased costs for benefit payments basically on behalf of our employees. Could I get an explanation from the Minister as to why we couldn’t foresee these increased costs? Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the Member will recognize, we have an aging workforce. We have a growing number of employees and the other one that we don’t have a control over is the growing number of referrals that are requiring medical travel. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Certainly those explanations make sense, but I guess if we know those things, why are we not budgeting for increased costs at the time
that we put the original budget on the floor? Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
The two that are related, most directly related, are the aging workforce and the growing number of referrals. While we know we have an aging workforce, it’s hard to anticipate the amount of referrals. We tend to base our budget numbers on the previous year’s expenditures and the other thing as we go from budget year to budget year the number of employees we try to budget are based on actuals and not projections. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
The Minister just leads me into sort of my next thought, my next question. I mean, why do we budget on last year’s numbers if we know that we’re going to have demographics that are going to likely cause us to have an increase? So it’s kind of a rhetorical question, I’ve said this before; I have great difficulty in the fact that we establish our original budgets based on numbers which we expect to change and then come back three or four times during the year and say, oh, gee whiz, we need more money. So more of a comment than anything, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
February 23rd, 2010
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Okay, we’re on page 4, Human Resources, operations expenditures, employee services, not previously authorized, $1.394 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Page 5, Municipal and Community Affairs, operations expenditures, regional operations, not previously authorized, $392,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Moving on, Health and Social Services, operations expenditures, program delivery support, not previously authorized, $1.136 million. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
I think maybe my question is on something else, it’s not that number I’m questioning.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Okay. Health and Social Services, operations expenditures, program
delivery support, not previously authorized, $1.136 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Health services programs, not previously authorized, $4.269 million. Agreed? Mr. Bromley.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Mr. Chair, the payments for contribution funding of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority for increased costs associated with the pension plan and so on, it’s been raised before, I think we’ve dealt with this before. Has the department done an analysis of whether it would be indeed economic to bring these employees into the fold and enjoy some reasonable payback and reduced costs over the longer term? Some of the figures I’ve heard, which were unconfirmed figures, suggested that, yeah, this might be a six or eight-year payback, after which costs would be reduced. So I guess I’m looking or have we done that analysis? Goodness knows we keep dealing with this every year it seems to come up on a supp. I’m not sure about that either, but again, where are we at on that? Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Melhorn
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The cost estimates that we have now, and they are estimates only and they are ranges, because there are a number of unknowns involved. It would be about $2.5 million to $4.5 million we estimate, associated with winding up the existing pension plan, and between $1 million and $10 million associated with transferring employees to the Government of the Northwest Territories. The very wide range is due to the fact that employees have a number of options they could select with respect to their pension arrangement. They can choose the option that is most beneficial to them, but unless you know which option is chosen, you can’t specifically cost it.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
I would presume with that information that there are details to it and there must be opportunities over time narrowing down those options, putting a strategy together to do that on the lower end of the cost range. Are we looking at that, Mr. Chairman, putting that together? Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Given the knowledge of the figures, the last serious effort to this was back in 2003-2004. Back then, the costs even then were considered excessive, given the money that was available, and have only increased since then. So we haven’t pursued this as an active initiative as of late. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
I wonder if the Minister could tell me how this situation developed and is it likely to continue to grow, and any chance that it would spread elsewhere as a virus. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
In regards to bargaining units, this is the one bargaining unit outside the UNW bargaining unit that is currently there for the remainder of employees, plus the NWTTA. Outside of that are the LHOs, which are a separate issue, but the Hay River Health Centre bargaining unit is the only one that is in existence. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
I guess I don’t have enough information to suggest a strategy to the Minister, other than I hope he will look at it and see if there is a long-term plan to resolve it. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Okay we are on page 6. We are dealing with health services programs, not previously authorized, $4.269 million.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to echo the comments of my colleague Mr. Bromley. We have talked about the issue with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority and their employees for quite some time now and my comment is simply just bite the bullet and do it and get it done. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. More of a comment. Mr. Minister, do you want to respond?
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the sentiment. The issue is going to be as we look at this supplementary for all the other costs for health, is going to be identifying the funds to make the initial transfer. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Any other questions? Health services programs, not previously authorized, $4.269 million.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Community health programs, not previously authorized, $2.283 million. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Something that has always been of concern to me is the amount of money that we
spend on facilities in the South. There are two items here, one is for increased costs associated with children in residential care outside the Northwest Territories and the other one is the increased costs with adults in residential care outside the Northwest Territories. I know that we went some distance toward our ambition to repatriate some adults with the assisted living facility in Hay River and they have the capacity for 10 full-time residents or clients in that facility, but it seems like the demand for these southern services continues to grow and I would like to know what the government’s response is to that and what opportunities for further consideration of offering care, opportunities, options for these folks in the Northwest Territories so they are not going south, which, if they require specialized treatment and care, I am still of the belief that we have the ability to recruit and retain and attract workers here with the kind of skills that they would need.
I see it as advantageous to keep residents in the North, as well, for reasons of closeness to family and reduced travel costs, and just the fees that are charged for these kinds of placements seem very, very high. So I would like to ask the Minister what kind of discussions or thoughts are had in response to these kinds of increased costs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. These particular circumstances with children in southern placements and adults are constantly being assessed. There is a changing variety of presenting problems, multiple needs, many in high need categories, and the challenge is that you may only have one or two clients that have very specific high needs that can only be met in a specialized facility. If you have a number of those clients across a number of very expensive facilities, it limits our ability to meet all those different needs under one program area.
We did take a look at this, as the Member pointed out, with the adult assisted living campus in Hay River. We did manage to repatriate. The other challenge is, of course, that as we repatriate, we do have needs in clients, both children and adults, that require services that aren’t available. As we have done over the years, we have slowly built up our program base. We have assessed these and we have built facilities, we have repatriated and we are struggling with the complexities of some of the problems as well as the demand that has yet to level off. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Does the Minister have numbers available as to how many adults and how many children are currently... This is just an appropriation for additional funds. Does the Minister have a number of people that are in care, adults and children, and what the total cost is? Because I
don’t think we are seeing the full picture here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Tolley
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the children in care, projected for 2009-2010, we have, I guess there is a minimum and a maximum number that we are depending on at any one time, but the average is about 35 children in care. The total number of months is about 501 months. Total expenditures projected for 2009-2010 would be a little over $4.6 million. On the adults side, projected for 2009-2010, we have 46 adults in care, 2009-2010 projected expenditures of just over $7 million. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
So these are fairly large numbers. I don’t know how they compare to previous years, however, the Minister has indicated that the demand for southern referrals and placements is increasing and I don’t know what is contributing to that. He said there are emerging issues, but certainly in terms of the sustainability of the support that this requires, it would be good if we knew what those emerging issues are so that we could perhaps do something to kind of put prevention or stem the increase in some way, because I’m not sure if this number in this group of people who are in need of these specialized services, I’m not sure this is sustainable over a long period of time if this continues to grow. So what were those emerging issues that the Minister referred to? Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the children, the numbers have stayed quite stable since 2004-05. The average number of children in care back then was 39, the next year it was 39, and the year after, 36. We are projecting for 2009-10, 35. So those numbers have stayed the same. The number of adult placements has increased over the last number of years, but it was 27 in 2004-05, then 29 the year after, 35 in 2006-07, the year after, and then 48 in 2007-08, 51 in 2008-09, and 46 is projected.
Mr. Chairman, the people that are placed in these facilities are usually from either severe disability and who require care that we cannot provide in the North, or mental health disorders and other behavioural issues. I can assure the Member that we don’t know exactly why the numbers are increasing, but much of the cost has to do with not so much the number but the cost of care, because lots of these institutional settings have increased their rates. Also, we do review every file and, in fact, when we opened the Hay River assisted living facility we reviewed every file that was down south
to see if we could repatriate them. We have repatriated some of them and since then we have been able to avoid placing adults down south because we were able to direct them to Hay River.
This is something that is under close scrutiny in the department to make sure that we don’t use out-of-NWT placements unless we absolutely have to. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
I didn’t really hear any answer. I guess the Minister said she doesn’t know why the number of placements required, what’s kind of contributing to that need for specialized services in southern Canada. I’m glad to hear that the department is keeping a close eye on that, not that we want to deny or deprive anybody of specialized services if that’s what they need, but when you look at the cost of care and these costs can be anywhere from $250,000 to $450,000 per client per year, and you look at that over the course of a person’s lifetime as an adult, if there’s no change in their conditions, I guess I just, again, say that we need to, as a government, look at some of the contributing factors to people’s condition that they require this care. Because this is a lot of resources that are absorbed by this and, like I said, not that we want to deny or deprive anyone of specialized care, but I’m looking at it from how is this sustainable in view of all the other demands on our financial resources. That’s just more of a comment. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Once again, I appreciate the Member’s comments. Her observations, I think, are accurate, as well, in terms of the ongoing health care costs, and the issue of sustainability is a huge challenge for every jurisdiction. Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
We’re under community health programs, not previously authorized, $2.283 million.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Moving on to Department of Justice, operations expenditure, legal aid services, not previously authorized, $100,000.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Department of Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, education and culture, not previously authorized, $100,000.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Transportation, operations expenditures, airports, not previously authorized, $253,000.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question that applies to all of these increases. The briefing note explains that there was no increase for fuel in this current year’s budget for all of these departments. My question to the Minister, I guess, is that it sounds as though we have adjusted our amounts going forward, future years, sounds as though we are planning to budget enough dollars to cover what we expect to incur in fuel costs. I guess my question would be: is that correct? Are we now stabilized going forward with this additional funding for fuel? Have we added enough money in our 2010-11 budget so that we’re not going to run into this problem in future years? I’ve raised this issue a number of times in regard to fuel increases. It seems that we are woefully inadequate in projecting and budgeting our costs for fuel. The bottom line is are we stabilizing as we go forward? Thank you.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Melhorn
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member is correct; we have included increased funding in 2010-11 to account for expected fuel
costs. The estimates are based on assumption of about $70 per barrel oil, and if fuel costs remain in that range, then that would be sufficient. If fuel costs differ from that significantly, if prices increase significantly, then that may change.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Department of Transportation, operations expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $993,000.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair David Krutko
Does the committee agree that we’ve concluded Tabled Document 78-16(4), Supplementary Appropriation (Operations Expenditures) No. 3, 2009-2010?
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 32-16(4): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 62-16(4): NWT Main Estimates, 2010-2011, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters