Debates of Feb. 26th, 2014

This is page numbers 3977 – 4034 of the Hansard for the 17th 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
Post-Devolution Resource Development Regulation
Department Of Lands’ Role In The New Regulatory Regime Post-Devolution
Environment And Natural Resources Post-Devolution
Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Legislation
Pink Shirt Day
Bullying In The Workplace
Anti-Bullying Advocates
Pink Shirt Day In The Mackenzie Delta
Ms. Sharon Allen, Advocate For MADD Canada
Bullying From A Student’s Perspective
Traditional Arts And Crafts
Early Childhood Educators In Junior Kindergarten Classes
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Anti-Bullying Measures And Discipline In Schools
Assisting Income Support Clients With Disabilities
NWT Oil And Gas Regulator
Supporting Traditional Arts And Crafts
Public Housing Units In The Mackenzie Delta
Summer Student Employment Policy
Impaired Driving Charges In The NWT
Bullying In The Workplace
Role Of NWT Oil And Gas Regulator
Summer Student Employment Program
Mr. Dolynny’s Reply
Bill 12: Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Comprehensive Review Of The Program Review Office
Daycare Facilities
Recorded Vote
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

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Yes, 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 Robert Bouchard

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 Robert Bouchard

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses in.

Minister Miltenberger, please 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

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Mike Aumond and Jamie Koe, who were also in the gallery earlier on and I neglected to recognize. I’d like to recognize in this forum that they were there today with the NEB folks. As well, I have Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar from Finance as well. If Mr. Koe looks twitchy, it’s because he’s going to be heading out to the Brier literally in the next few hours, so he’s keen.

---Laughter

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 Robert Bouchard

No pun intended, hopefully. Welcome, gentlemen. Good luck, Jamie. Yesterday we left off on page 5-9, information item, revenue summary. Any questions?

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 Robert Bouchard

Page 5-10, information item, active position summary. Any questions? Mr. Hawkins.

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Without going through a long description as to what I want, I think the Minister knows. If he could provide me with a summary of what is funded, unfunded and empty positions and the value attributed to that. If he could send it to my office, I would be happy with that. Basically the same questions I asked Minister Ramsay in the Justice department. 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 Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. 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

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I will provide that information.

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Good.

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 Robert Bouchard

Page 5-10, information item, active position summary.

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 Robert Bouchard

Page 5-13, activity summary, deputy minister’s office, operations expenditure summary, $89.632 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 Robert Bouchard

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. Chair. I think it belongs here. I wanted to ask the question about legislation. I wanted to say at the outset that I am extremely pleased that we’ve had first reading of the NEBS Act. It’s been a long time coming and I’m really glad that we managed to get that done.

I did want to ask, though, about whether or not there are any plans in the works on the part of the department to make any changes to the Petroleum Tax Act? It’s been mentioned a number of times by a number of Members and I can’t remember all the specific details, but I know that we don’t treat, we don’t tax all of our petroleum products the same. So I’d like to know if there’s any consideration on the part of the department to make amendments to the Petroleum Tax Act. 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 Robert Bouchard

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We expect a legislative proposal to be ready in May.

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. That’s great, glad to hear. Is the Minister at liberty to tell us what kinds of changes are likely to be proposed? Thank you.

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

At this point they’re mainly administrative in nature. Thank you.

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 to the Minister. My other question has to do with the Financial Administration Act, which I know has, I think, for quite some time, been on their radar for the department to do some work. Can I get a sense from the Minister of when it will come forward to the House for first reading? Thank you.

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. The intention is to have it ready for first reading for October session.

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. That’s great. That’s all I have.