Debates of March 4th, 2013

This is page numbers 2283 – 2332 of the Hansard for the 17th 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 college.

Topics

Oral Questions
Prayer
Changes To Home Ownership Programs
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Visit
Aboriginal Languages Month
Nutrition Month
Premier Absent From The House
Budget Priorities In Consensus Government
Defining Inclusive Schooling
Hay River Homecoming, June 28 – July 1, 2013
Celebrating The 98th Birthday Of Aklavik Elder Mary Kendi
Additional Costs Associated With Deh Cho Bridge
Aboriginal Languages Month
Mine Training In Small Communities
Mandatory And Coerced Mental Health Treatment
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Psychiatric Services In The NWT
Inclusive Schooling Funding Formula
Mine Training Opportunities In Small Communities
Budget Priorities And Reallocation Process
RCMP Incident Report Concerning Recent Highway No. 3 Accident
Cost Of Deh Cho Bridge Construction
Psychiatrists And Psychologists In Correctional Facilities
Written Question 19-17(4): NWT Mental Health Act
Written Question 20-17(4): NWT Mental Health Act Treatment Data
Written Question 21-17(4): Re-Profiled Funding For Early Childhood Development Initiatives 2012-2013
Return To Written Question 4-17(4): NWT Health Care Cards
Return To Written Question 5-17(4): Alcohol-Related Health Conditions
Return To Written Question 6-17(4): Mackenzie Valley Winter Roads
Tabled Document 36-17(4): Government Of The Northwest Territories Response To Motion 19-17(3): Child Tax Benefit Clawback
Tabled Document 37-17(4): Mackenzie Valley Winter Road – Further To Return To Written Question 6-17(4)
Bill 3: Wildlife Act
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding
Report of Committee of the Whole
Orders of the Day

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a question under the seniors home heating subsidy. I’d like to ask the Minister if the department has been doing any plans to actually increase the amount elders could make. I’m getting a number of concerns from the communities I represent. As you know, the cost of living is almost double up in the Mackenzie Delta riding, and for five gallons of gas

it’s between $40 and $50. We have elders that like to go out on the land and also to buy groceries. It’s double what we pay here in Yellowknife. I’d like to ask the department, are they planning to increase the amount elders make and still be eligible for the seniors home heating subsidy. Thank you.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Blake. For that we’ll go to Minister Lafferty.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. This is an area that we’ve been tackling for quite some time now. When it comes to subsidizing the seniors fuel subsidy, that’s one area that I’d like to see some changes. The Members have raised that issue in the House already, that their kids or grandchildren are living with them and how we’re still penalizing the seniors. So I instructed my department to look at options and I believe we’re at the final stages of looking at those options, and I want to move forward to present to standing committee and that will make some changes to how we subsidize the seniors fuel subsidy, which will benefit the seniors, obviously. That’s my goal. It will be before standing committee soon enough.

With the high cost of living that’s an area that, again, we’ve been exploring. With the fuel, it’s based on the litres or a cord of wood and so forth. So what the Member is referring to, of course, is the small communities and the high cost of living. So it does reflect on that, as well, but any increases we monitor and make changes along the way like we did in 2007, and if there are changes coming, then it will be reflected on our budget. I will be before standing committee. Mahsi.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. I’d just like to ask the Minister, will we see those changes this year. Thank you.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

I, like the Member, so direct. I knew that was coming. Currently, we are going through the ‘13-14 budget. As I stated, the options are coming. They should be on my way to my office soon enough. Unfortunately, one of our senior staff is on personal leave right now and I’ve instructed him to do a bit more in-depth work in this area.

Within a few weeks I’d like to see those options and I want to make those changes as part of the next business planning cycle. So because it’s not before me yet, I can’t really make a commitment within this budget, but I’d like to make those changes in the next few months. Mahsi.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Minister Lafferty. Committee, 10-27. Mr. Bromley.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
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 understand the Auditor General report may be out soon, in the next week or so. What will be the lag time for when we see it or do we all see it at the same time? Thank you.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister Lafferty.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. It gets tabled, I believe, this coming Thursday in this House. So Members will have the opportunity.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Again, committee, 10-27, Education, Culture and Employment, activity summary, income security, operations expenditure summary, $41.591 million. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Page 10-28, Education, Culture and Employment, activity summary, income security, grants and contributions, grants, $11.136 million.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Page 10-29, Education, Culture and Employment, information item, income security, active positions.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Page10-30, Education, Culture and Employment, information item, Student Loan Revolving Fund. Any questions?

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Okay, 10-33, Mr. Bromley.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I could get an update here, I note that Yellowknife District Education Authority No. 1includes funding for K’alemi Dene School in Ndilo and I know the Minister is well aware that they’re looking for their own educational authority. Actually, they have their own, but it’s sort of been on hold and they agreed for some period of time to be under the umbrella of the Yellowknife District No. 1 and now they’re striving to be on their own. Will that be happening this fiscal year? Thank you.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister Lafferty.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. This is an area we’ve been exploring for quite some time now with the Ndilo K’alemi Dene School, the DEA and so forth. So the Member is asking if it’s going to be part of this year’s budget. My staff is telling me yes.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

That was my basic question. I appreciate that straightforward answer, that’s good to hear. Will it be as straightforward for carving out the budget from YK1 for this DEA or are we anticipating that to be a challenge and what are the issues? Thank you.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. For that we’ll go to Mr. Devitt.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Paul Devitt

Mr. Chair, the budget for Ndilo is already separated. They’re contracting with school district 1. So I don’t believe that will be an issue. Thank you.

Committee Motion 17-17(4): Department Of Education, Culture And Employment – Inclusive Schooling Funding, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Devitt. Moving on with questions on 10-33 we have Ms. Bisaro.