Debates of March 12th, 2013

This is page numbers 2545 – 2580 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 expenditures.

Topics

Oral Questions
Prayer
Management Actions For Barren Ground Caribou Herds
Devolution Agreement Implementation
Change Orders Paid To Southern Contractors
911 Emergency Call Centre
Status Of Aboriginal Languages
Devolution Agreement Public Engagement And Consultation Process
Delivery Of Income Security Programs
Devolution Agreement Ratifications
Reflections On The Spring Budget Session
Devolution Agreement Next Steps
Electoral Boundaries Commission Interim Report Participation
Recognition Of Special Olympian Cynthia Simmons
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Sister Celeste – Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
Efforts To Attain Provincehood
Alcohol And Drug-Related Health Centre Visits
Decentralization Of Federal Positions Under Devolution
911 Emergency Call Centre
Delivery Of Income Support Programs
Status Of Aboriginal Languages
Devolution Agreement Public Engagement And Consultation
Protection Of Aboriginal Rights Under The Devolution Agreement
Highway Emergency Response Protocols
Income Support Program Applications And Payments
Return To Written Question 11-17(4): Flaring At Petroleum Exploration And Production Sites
Return To Written Question 13-17(4): Impacts Of Hydraulic Fracturing On Water Use And Water Quality
Mr. Bromley’s Reply
Tabled Document 51-17(4): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2013-2014
Tabled Document 52-17(4): Tuktoyaktuk Highway Project (Ith) Risk Matrix Reviewed As At 11 March 2013 Tabled Document 53-17(4): GNWT Response To Inuvik To Tuktoyaktuk Highway (Ith) Project Review Panel Report
Tabled Document 54-17(4): 2012 Annual Report Of The Public Utilities Board Of The Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 55-17(4): Report Of Conflict Of Interest Commissioner Dated March 5, 2013, Respecting A Complaint By Robert Hawkins Alleging A Breach Of The Act By The Honourable David Ramsay
Tabled Document 56-17(4): Correspondence From The Minister Of Finance Regarding Potential Breach Of Fam – Aircraft Chartering
Extended Adjournment Of The House To May 29, 2013
Ground Ambulance And Highway Rescue Services
Plebiscite On Ratification Of Devolution Final Agreement
Secondary Diamond Industry
Recorded Vote
Bill 5: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2012-2013
Bill 6: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2013-2014
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012
Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012
Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2012-2013
Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2013-2014
Report of Committee of the Whole
Bill 7: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012
Bill 8: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012
Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2012-2013
Bill 10: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2013-2014
Orders of the Day

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Like I said, I certainly send my prayers to the people who have to deal with this issue. So far the Minister said there are two individuals. That’s half a million dollars for each individual to seek this type of specialized treatment. Certainly, no individual in the Northwest Territories can cover the cost for this type of treatment program. Certainly, we do the best we can in light of the other pressing issues that we have in the North in regard to how we prioritize our costs with treatment and medical needed by people in our communities or in the North. I just want to make note of that.

It’s a point where, even for us sometimes, we have to talk about the uncomfortable issue of treatment and who do we cover, because we went through that discussion already in past governments as to medical services in the Northwest Territories. Again, I’m hoping the people who need this for themselves would get better. I’m not too sure. That’s more of a comment, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. We will treat it as a comment, then. Committee, we are on page 7, Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2012-2013. Health and Social Services, operations expenditures, program delivery support, not previously authorized, $1.402 million. Health services programs, not previously authorized, $5.561 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I wanted to ask a question here under the health services programs. The funding for projected increased costs for the provision of health care services to non-NWT residents, I just want to totally understand this. This is a lot of money; it’s $4.7 million. This cost is for the provision of health care services to people who don’t live in the NWT. I gather that it is recoverable from the jurisdiction where these people live. I’m struggling to understand how we could underestimate such a large number. Maybe I can get an explanation from the department. Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. For that we’ll go to Minister Miltenberger.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is another service that is demand driven and fluctuates. The target adjustment of $4 million has already been approved in principle for 2014-15. We are looking at trying to… This is one of the areas where we want to make a base adjustment. Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister. It’s good to hear that we’re making a base adjustment. I’m just wondering, when we give approval for appropriation of funds, basically after the fact the way we are doing here from what it sounds like, is there a financial impact on us? Are we spending this money and getting reimbursed at a later date? Are we paying interest costs or whatever? Basically, is it costing us money to be out this $4.7 million? Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Okay, so if we’re out money, is it money that is recoverable? If we are paying interest on it, who are we doing the favour to and can we get the money back from them? Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chair, of course other jurisdictions ask the same of us. For example, with all of our students down south, if someone gets sick, then they bill us. They have to be put into the process and get reimbursed. I’m not aware of the particulars, so I see the Minister of Health is right here and he could probably give us maybe enough detail for the Member. Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. We’ll go to the Minister of Health, Mr. Beaulieu.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is the inpatient outpatient reciprocal billing rates that are approved with an Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements Coordinating Committee so that the department's representative on committee presents a territorial inpatient rate for approval and this rate is calculated by the department based on actual prior year’s adjustments for inflation. So that’s how we do the recoveries of the actuals and to make sure that we get all of the recoveries, there are some adjustments made.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Ms. Bisaro.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

That’s good. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Committee, we’re on page 7. We’re going to commence at the second bullet point of health services, health services programs, not previously authorized, $5.561 million.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Supplementary health programs, not previously authorized, $2.302 million. Mr. Bromley.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is for increased costs for medical travel. I just want to know what our total budget for medical travel is. That’s obviously a substantial increase, but perhaps not if the total medical travel budget is very large. Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister Miltenberger.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The projected cost will total about $30.8 million for 2012-13.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you. So this would be something like an 8 percent increase over the year, projecting a little bit here. Recognizing this, what’s the projection that we’ve used for ‘13-14?

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. We’ll go to Mr. Aumond.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Aumond

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We will be looking at a base adjustment for next year. I guess the trend for medical travel hasn’t been, even over the last number of years it’s gone up and gone down. Again, as the Minister stated, it is a bit of a demand-driven activity. So the rationale for the increase this year is an increase in the number of patients and also the cost to transport the patients as well. So it’s a combination of the two that’s driven this, but as I mentioned earlier, this will be one of the activities where we’ll be considering a base adjustment, given what we’ve seen over the last couple of years. Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you. Obviously, we have approved the budget for ‘13-14. So I assume Mr. Aumond just talked about the ‘14-15 year?

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Aumond

Thank you. That’s correct.

Committee Motion 22-17(4): Concurrence Of Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2011-2012, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Aumond. Committee, we’re on page 7, supplementary health programs, not previously authorized, $2.302 million.