This is page numbers 5979 - 6032 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 5th 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 community.

Tabled Document 144-16(5): Letter From Mayor Of Tuktoyaktuk In Support Of Joe Greenland Centre
Tabling of Documents

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. 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: Tabled Document 4-16(5), Executive Summary of the Report of the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project; Tabled Document 30-16(5), 2010 Review of Members’ Compensation and Benefits; Tabled Document 38-16(5), Supplementary Health Benefits – What We Heard; Tabled Document 62-16(5), Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy; Tabled Document 75-16(5), Response to the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project on the Federal and Territorial Governments’ Interim Response to “Foundation for a Sustainable Northern Future”; Tabled Document 103-16(5), GNWT Contracts Over $5,000 Report, Year Ending March 31, 2010; Tabled Document 133-16(5), NWT Main Estimates 2011-2012; Tabled Document 135-16(5), Response to the Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of the Child and Family Services Act; Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act; Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Evidence Act; Minister’s Statement 65-16(5), Devolution Agreement-in-Principle, Impact on Land Claims and Protection of Aboriginal Rights; Minister’s Statement 88-16(5), Sessional Statement, with Mr. Abernethy in the chair.

By the authority given me as Speaker by Motion 31-16(5), 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

February 20th, 2011

The Chair

The Chair Glen Abernethy

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. Before us today are tabled documents 4, 30, 38, 62, 75, 103, 133, 135; Bills 4, 14, 17 and 20; and Ministers’ statements 65 and 88. What is the wish of 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. Mr. Chair, the committee today would like to finish the NWT Housing Corporation, and before we leave this Chamber today, finish Municipal and Community Affairs.

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 Glen Abernethy

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 Glen Abernethy

Alright. With that, we’ll take a short break and come back with the NWT Housing Corporation and get through the Housing Corporation and MACA today.

---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 Glen Abernethy

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. Prior to going on break we agreed to proceed with the NWT Housing Corporation and the 2011-21 Main Estimates to conclusion and then MACA through to conclusion as well. Last week when we left we were on page 5-53 of the Housing Corporation. Is committee agreed we reconvene with 5-53?

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 Glen Abernethy

We’re on page 5-53, the NWT Housing Corporation, which is an information item. My bad. How about we ask the Minister if he has any witnesses he’d like to bring into the House. Mr. Minister.

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

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

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 Glen Abernethy

Is committee agreed that we allow the Minister’s witnesses into the Chamber?

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 Glen Abernethy

Mr. Sergeant-at-Arms, if you could please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

Minister McLeod, if I can please get you to introduce your witnesses for the record.

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

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have with me to my right, Mr. Jeff Polakoff, the CEO and president of the NWT Housing Corporation, and I have Mr. Jeff Anderson, vice-president of finance with the NWT Housing Corporation. 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 Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Minister. Welcome to the witnesses. We had agreed to move along with page 5-53. First on the list is Mr. Krutko.

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

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d like to ask the Minister some questions in regard to the area of compensation benefits. I notice there’s been an increase of about $500,000, but if you look at the area of grants and contributions, there’s been a decrease of about almost $6.5 million. I’m just wondering why there’s no real correlation between delivery of the programs and services and the decline in grants and contributions. I’d like to know what the declines are, and more importantly what is the increase in regard to compensation 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

The Chair

The Chair Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Anderson.

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

Anderson

Mr. Chairman, the increase in compensation of benefits relates to four positions that we received as part of the public housing rent subsidy transfer. The reduction in grants and contributions is primarily due to the sunsetting of the federal funds that we got under the Canada Economic Action Plan.

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

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Chairman, just on the funds in regards to the sunsetting of federal programs, are there any new federal programs that are rising that probably can replace those programs? In most cases there are new programs that do come forward every once in a while. I would just like to know, is there potential of new federal revenues by way of programs in the area of housing? 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 Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Minister McLeod.

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

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Chairman, at this time there is no new federal money. I continue to have discussions with the federal government as to their investment in housing in the Northwest Territories. At this time there is no new federal money on the horizon. Thank you.

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

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Chairman, in regards to the four PYs that you mentioned where the increase of $500,000 comes, could you tell me exactly where those four positions are?

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

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Chairman, I will get Mr. Anderson to respond to 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 Glen Abernethy

Mr. Anderson.

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

Anderson

Mr. Chairman, there is one position, a program development specialist in Yellowknife and the rest of the positions, there is 0.5 to top up existing positions in North Slave, South Slave, Deh Cho and Sahtu and one new position for a program advisor in the Beaufort-Delta. Thank you.