This is page numbers 5001 – 5032 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 communities.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I guess I would seek more clarity. There was a lot of fluff in that response. Some early consultation and then moving into consultations in 2015 and 2016 and rollout in 2015-2016. I’m not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling here. We’re looking for some steady progress here and I think the Minister knows that.

Can we expect April 1st of 2015 there will be some

implementation happening on the ground in the Beau-Del? Mahsi.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you. There have been some consultations with physicians and other professionals in the Beaufort-Delta. The result of those consultations, a number of challenges and concerns were raised around things like deliverables, potential complications and individuals’ responsibilities. We’re working through those right now with the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority. Once we’re a little bit closer and we have that information worked out with the physicians, we intend to do some public engagements as well.

We will not be moving forward with staffing until such time as a budget is actually approved for the 2015-2016 calendar or fiscal year, which means we will not be moving forward with staffing until at least April 1st , and it will take a number of months to fill

those positions. But I’m prepared to move forward without a confirmed or approved budget. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Time for oral questions, time has expired. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 21-17(5) asked by Mr. Dolynny on October 20, 2014, to the Honourable David Ramsay, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, regarding the regulator of oil and gas operations.

Mr. Dolynny had asked the following questions:

1. At times the regulator is privy to information that

would not be in the public’s best interest to disclose or debate, such as a company’s net profit projects. What mechanisms are in place to ensure that information disclosure will respect the public’s best interest and not place any corporation, agency or other organization at a significant disadvantage, and how will this information be dealt with in response to questions and debates within this House?

The regulator is bound by Section 91 of the Petroleum Resources Act (PRA), which states that information or documentation provided for the purpose of the PRA or the Oil and Gas Operations Act (OGOA) is privileged, with the exception of some areas of permissible disclosure identified in that section. Financial information submitted by a company is privileged under the legislation.

The regulator is also bound by the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA). Where there is a conflict of inconsistency between the provisions of the PRA and the ATIPPA, the PRA provisions are to be followed, per Section 91(11) of the PRA.

The regulator values and strives to achieve transparency and openness with respect to decision-making processes and other regulatory activities. However, as outlined, the regulator is bound by the privilege provisions of Section 91 of the PRA.

2.

How will corporate involvement and development of government programs and strategies, such as the Mineral Development and Economic Opportunities Strategy, continue under this new regime?

The regulator acts as an independent regulatory and decision-making entity and does not participate in the development of government programs and strategies relating to the support of economic development through industry engagement and promotion. These functions are carried out by the Government of the Northwest Territories departments.

3. How will decisions be reached in situations

where the views of departmental advisors differ widely from the oil and gas committee or the Members of the Legislative Assembly?

The regulator, or his delegate, is a statutory decision-maker who can only consider evidence that is put before him in accordance with the requirements of the legislation and the information requirements, guidelines and interpretation notes issued under the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act prior to April 2, 2014, and carried over under the transitional provisions contained in OGOA.

The regulator has service agreements in place with the National Energy Board and the Alberta Energy Regulator to provide technical expertise and recommendations in support of decision-making. From time to time, the regulator also accesses technical expertise from other regulators.

While the National Energy Board and the Alberta Energy Regulator and others provide technical expertise, decisions are made by the regulator or his delegates, as appropriate.

Due to the confidentiality requirements in the PRA and the need to maintain an arm’s length and independent decision-making process, the regulator does not discuss applications with GNWT departmental officials, MLAs or other stakeholders, including members of the public, except under the limited circumstances provided for in the legislation. The regulator will also not discuss applications under review with Executive Council.

The oil and gas committee identified in OGOA has not been constituted. However, its role is limited to decisions with respect to pooling and unitization, where the committee is empowered to make decisions and issue orders under OGOA that bind the operators in question.

In summary, the regulator is required to consider all information submitted and to make public the reason for decisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services 2013-2014.” Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Pursuant to Section 5 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I wish to table the Summary of Members’ Absences for the Period of May 28, 2014, to October 15, 2014. Thank you. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents, entitled “Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-15,” and “Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2014-2015”. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. 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. Mr. Moses.

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act, No. 2, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, Bill 33 amends the Elections and Plebiscites Act to: • replace the provisions for advance polls with a

new special voting opportunity;

modernize requirements relating to campaigning, including requirements with respect to campaign advertising and sponsor identification;

• require candidates to file statements from banks

or approved institutions in support of their financial reports;

• increase the number of electors for whom

another elector may vouch and prohibit candidates from vouching;

• prohibit candidates from accepting more than

$1,500 in anonymous contributions;

• permit candidates to pay for petty expenses

incurred in a campaign period;

• enhance the investigation and enforcement

powers of the Chief Electoral Officer; and

• modernize the drafting of the offence provision.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. There’s a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act, No. 2, has had second reading.

---Carried

Mr. Moses.

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act, No. 2, moved into Committee of the Whole.

---Unanimous consent granted

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Education Act; Bill 27, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2014; Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act; Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act; Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act; Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act, No. 2; Committee

Report 7-17(5), Report on the Development of the Economic Opportunities and Mineral Development Strategies; Tabled Document 115-17(5), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2015-2016; Tabled Document 154-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015; and Tabled Document 155-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2014-2015, with Mr. Dolynny in the chair.

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 Daryl Dolynny

Good afternoon, committee. I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order today. What is the wish of committee? 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. We would like to continue consideration of Tabled Document 115-17(5), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2015-2016, with the Department of Environment and the Legislative Assembly and, time permitting, Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015, Tabled Document 154-17(5); and, time permitting, Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.24, 2014-2015, Tabled Document 155-17(5). 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 Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Does committee agree?

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 Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, committee. We’ll commence with that after a brief break.

---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 Daryl Dolynny

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. As agreed upon before the break, we are going to continue on with Tabled Document 115-17(5), NWT Capital Estimates, and we are currently with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. I’d like to ask Minister Miltenberger if he would like to bring witnesses into the Chamber. 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. Chair. 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 Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Does committee agree?

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.