Debates of Feb. 22nd, 2011

This is page numbers 6033 - 6084 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 going.

Topics

Oral Questions
Prayer
Minister’s Statement 113-16(5): Northwest Territories Tourism Marketing Plans
Housing Issues In Nahendeh
Tourism 2015
Multi-Year Funding For The NWT Seniors’ Society
NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy
Hay River Alternative Education Program
Norman Wells Block Land Transfer
Elders Program And Services
NWT Public Housing Arrears
Importance Of Cultural Programs For Youth
Victim Impact Services Outreach Program In Nunakput
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Programs And Services For Elders
Public Housing Arrears
Multi-Year Funding For NGOs
Take A Kid Trapping Program
NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy
Norman Wells Block Land Transfer
Victims Services Outreach Program In Nunakput
Marketing The NWT To Alberta
Need For Seniors Home Repair Program
Norman Wells Block Land Transfer
Petition 11-16(5): Save The Joe Greenland Centre
Tabled Document 145-16(5): Tourism 2015: New Directions For A Spectacular Future, February 2011 Tabled Document 146-16(5): Northwest Territories Marketing Plan 2011-2012
Extended Adjournment Of The House To February 28, 2011
Seniors Home Repair Program
Joe Greenland Centre
Recorded Vote
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Report of Committee of the Whole
Orders of the Day

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. Chairman. I am not actually 100 percent sure this is the right area, but scanning through, I can’t seem to find the area that might be applicable. Given that this is policy and strategic planning, this I think is the right area.

Early in the life of this Assembly there was talk about a land use framework. I thought or understood that would be coming forward from the Department of ENR for the end of the life of this

Assembly, but in looking through this document, I don’t find any reference to it. I am wondering what is the status of that. Is that something that has completely disappeared or is that hidden in here somewhere where I can’t see it? 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 Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. 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 land use framework is a critical initiative of the Government of the Northwest Territories. It is critical as we look going forward with the agreement-in-principle. It is a frame within which would fit things like the Water Strategy and a lot of our individual land use plans and our approaches of government to doing that. That particular initiative is driven and managed out of the 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

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Mr. Chairman, I will make sure I ask the Executive then.

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 Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. 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 want to follow up on the question from Mr. Abernethy on the land use framework. It may be led by the Executive, but from the information in business plans, there was a fairly large investment by ENR in 2008-09, not so much in 2009-10, but then an $800,000 investment in this current year for develop and implement a land use framework. In the upcoming budget year, the information shows a reduction of $83,000. What are the actions of ENR relative to the land use framework in budget year 2011-12? 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 Bob Bromley

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, we have $153,000 dedicated to our part of the work of the land use framework. The deputy sits on the working group. Many of the elements of the Water Strategy and the principles are being reflected and are reflected in the land use framework. It is an initiative that is, we think, very close to conclusion, but I will ask the deputy if he will speak a bit to some of the 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 Bob Bromley

Thank you, Minister. I will ask deputy minister to fill in the details. Thank you.

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

Bohnet

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The main role of Environment and Natural Resources in regards to work on the land use framework is a thing called land use framework decision support tools. This is really around the geomatics and the mapping this year. One thing we have found is between the Government of the Northwest Territories, within the Government of the Northwest Territories, INAC, regulatory boards and a number

of other agencies use a lot of different tools and mechanisms, geomatic systems for mapping out these types of things. That has been the main area we have been focussing on, is ENR and ITI are shared work thing promoting that particular issue. 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 Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Bohnet. 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

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thanks to both the Minister and the DM for the information. I guess I just would like to know with this reduction in funding specific to the land use framework, does that simply mean that this department is not putting quite as much into the land use framework and the other departments are taking over, or is this going to mean... I thought I heard that we’re nearing the end of this project. So is that another reason why there is a reduction in funds? Thank you.

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

Bohnet

No, in fact it hasn’t fallen off the table at this particular time, or in the foreseeable future. I think we realize the importance of that particular work and it’s just some of the money for that particular project shows up in the Department of Executive’s budget rather than ENR’s. The land use framework, as we move forward, is led by one of the strategic initiatives committees, Managing This Land. There’s a lot of good work that has gone into it and still a lot of work and it’s still a work in progress. 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 Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Bohnet. Committee, we’re on page 13-13, Environment and Natural Resources, activity summary, corporate management, operations expenditures summary, $10.995 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 Bob Bromley

Thank you. Page 13-14. 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. In regard to traditional knowledge funding, like I stated, there’s been a major reduction. In this it’s down to $65,000 from $110,000. Just going back to the previous page in grants and contributions it was some $415,000, but most of that was... I’d just like to know exactly, you mentioned that there’s some $225,000, why does that not show up in that line item where you’re showing $65,000?

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 Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. 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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That’s just the grants and contribution portion. I’ll ask Ms. Magrum to give us where the rest of it is.

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 Bob Bromley

Ms. Magrum.

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

Magrum

Thank you, Mr. Chair. A portion of the funding is in compensation and benefits and in other O and M in addition to grants and contributions.

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 Bob Bromley

Thank you, Ms. Magrum. 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. Do you have that particular page or line item you’re talking about? 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 Bob Bromley

Thank you. I’ll call on Ms. Magrum for details.

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

Magrum

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That information is just part of the details of other expenses within the corporate management page.