This is page numbers 3557 – 3584 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 fund.

Topics

GNWT Position Vacancies
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Heritage Fund Allocation
Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to respond to the Minister’s statement on the Heritage Fund contributions. I would like to begin by thanking my colleague Ms. Bisaro for stating many of the shortcomings of where we are at right now with regards to developing the Heritage Fund.

With regard to the Minister’s statement, I think pulling the wool over our eyes would be the most appropriate thing that comes to mind here. The net fiscal benefit resulting from our collection of resource royalties as a result of devolution is booked, although dollars are slow to flow.

The Minister has repeatedly claimed to have included 5 percent of the net fiscal benefit in our 2014-15 budget, but a quick scan reveals on page 5-14 of the Department of Finance budget, that in fact is all he allocated is $250,000, the same as last year and far short of the $2 million to $3 million that 5 percent would be.

The resource royalty collection that the Minister has booked for 2014-15, this fiscal year under discussion, is $120 million. Page 12-9 of the Industry, Tourism and Investment budget shows this clearly, of which we expect $60 million will go to the federal government as per the agreement, leaving $60 million for the GNWT booked during again fiscal year 2014-15.

The Minister is allocating 25 percent of the net fiscal benefit to Aboriginal governments during the 2014-15 budget. That is entirely appropriate because we are booking the revenues. This amount is $15 million, as clearly laid out on page 5-18 of the Department of Finance budget under discussion. Yet the Minister here is grandly offering, in his statement earlier today, to meet Members’ request for 25 percent into the Heritage Fund for this 2014-15 budget year under discussion by providing 25 percent in the 2015-16 year, a year that is not under discussion here. This is obtuse and is further evidence of a lack of forthright dealings to address this issue.

Further, this is absolute bafflegab, apparently meant to confuse and misdirect us into accepting this grand offer, which addresses his needs, not that of Regular Members.

In 2014-15 we are booking $120 million in royalties. We are booking 25 percent of the GNWT’s net fiscal benefit, $15 million to be paid to our Aboriginal partners.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Heritage Fund Allocation
Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

In 2014-15 we are booking $120 million in royalties. We are booking 25 percent of our net fiscal benefits. That is $15 million to be paid in our 2014-15 budget to our Aboriginal government partners. Regular Members want 25 percent of GNWT’s net fiscal benefit to also be booked for ’14-15.

This House has been clear, the public has been clear about this 25 percent for many, many months, probably over a year. The Minister needs to start paying heed to the will of the House and not provide bafflegab where this is going to be met in some future years. Mahsi.

Heritage Fund Allocation
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement is on the mechanics of the Heritage Fund. It’s fine and dandy if you have a Heritage Fund, and colleagues have talked about the amount of money going in and how it’s going to be administrated. I wanted to look at the mechanics. Should the Heritage Fund come to a full-blown discussion with the people in the Northwest Territories, what is the purpose with the Heritage Fund and how it’s to be set up within the government structure, independent, arm’s length from the government and have people who would administrate it and look after it for us, and having

that framework set up – do we do it now or do we do it later on in five years or 10 years?

I wanted to also know that within this Assembly if the government is willing to entertain that concept of removing the Heritage Fund administrative process and start looking at an independent process as other Heritage Funds have been set up elsewhere within Canada, and look at how this independent body could work if we were to move it out of the government’s hands and put it into an independent body.

The Heritage Fund is a very good concept. I remember having this discussion in a past Assembly, when Members on the other side who were once on this side brought up this idea of having a Heritage Fund for our people in the North, especially for our younger kids who are going to inherit this money. So, I would like to have some discussion on a territorial level, specifically on the whole concept of the Heritage Fund and the implementation of the Heritage Fund. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

GNWT Position Vacancies
Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Over the last couple of days we heard in this House about many empty jobs in government. This is, of course, concerning to all Members on this side. However, my take on this is that I think we should be filling them.

Of course, we’re asking the Minister to assess them and see where those empty positions are, how many are funded, not funded. There are many mechanics and different definitions about this whole job review and ghost jobs, et cetera. My concern is my people, and in my constituency qualified people are being screened out. P1 Aboriginals and local people are not getting the jobs.

Part of the Minister’s fiscal plan is to increase the population, I think he said by 2,000. I also submit that this plan should also include filling our empty positions so that they have people in them paying taxes that will benefit our Government of the Northwest Territories.

Members are anxious to reduce positions because the day that we see that these jobs are not needed…but I remain cautious about that. Jobs are important to my constituency of Nahendeh. We depend on them. They generate revenue for our economy. So, I like the slow, cautious approach, but we must get answers about what those jobs are and why it looks like they’re so empty. We think that the government is using empty positions to use those approved jobs for other expenditures, which should not happen, but let’s work on the plan, let’s

get them filled and let’s get people back working in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

GNWT Position Vacancies
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ramsay.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to recognize today the Honourable Paul Okalik. He holds the distinction of being the first Premier of Nunavut and is currently the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Culture and Heritage and the Minister of Energy with the Nunavut government. Joining the Honourable Paul Okalik is Karen Kabloona. Karen is an EA for Minister Okalik. Also my executive assistant, Mr. Ryan Strain, is with us today. I’d also like to recognize a former Member, Ernie Bernhardt. Also with us today is our Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Mr. David Jones; and I see our Privacy and Information Commissioner Elaine Keenan Bengts as well. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Lafferty.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize some of the people in the gallery. First and foremost is Ms. Joyce Rabesca of Behchoko. She’s also an entrepreneur in the community of Behchoko. I’d like to welcome her. Also, the honourable Mr. Paul Okalik. He’s also responsible for Culture, Labour and Immigration and Official Languages. Welcome. Mahsi.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Abernethy.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I talked about the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness and the 12 individuals who helped us with that. Today I’d like to recognize Paul Andrew, who is the chair of the forum, and thank him for all of his hard work and that of his colleagues. Thank you so much.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. Miltenberger.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize, as well, Ernie Bernhardt, a senior boy, my roommate way back in the mid-‘60s back in Grandin College. I was a junior boy and they put me in with him so I could learn a thing or two and I learned all sorts of things that I don’t really want to talk about, but about dating girls and all that kind of stuff from Ernie. Also, his son O.J. and his daughter Donna. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Hawkins.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think both Minister Ramsay and Lafferty already introduced him, but I wanted to once again reaffirm a welcome to Minister Okalik. I’ve come to know him over the last number of years and certainly have a great respect for him. One thing that hadn’t been mentioned was he’s also, I believe, the first lawyer in Nunavut, if not close to the top, but he’s had such a distinguished career as a politician and we’re certainly glad by all means to see him return to the House in the Nunavut Assembly and I look forward to the good things he’ll continue to do. It’s a great honour to have you here, sir. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Bromley.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also am proud to recognize some Weledeh constituents. We’ve heard about Mr. Ernie Bernhardt and I see his family, too, so welcome to them. Paul Andrew, of course, and any members of the forum that might be with him from Weledeh. I can’t really see people back there. I’d also like to recognize David Jones, our Conflict of Interest Commissioner, who I haven’t met yet but am looking forward to meeting, and Paul Okalik as well. It’s great to have a representative from Nunavut here, old friends. Mahsi.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Colleagues, I should have gone in front of Mr. Ramsay. I’d like to draw your attention to our presence today in the gallery of Mr. David Jones, our Conflict Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. He’s accompanied by his daughter Sarah Jones. Please join me in welcoming them to the House today.

Also in the gallery is the Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts. Welcome to the House.

As well, the former Member of Nunakput, Mr. Ernie Bernhardt and his son O.J. and my executive assistant, Donna Bernhardt. Welcome to the House. I, too, would like to welcome Mr. Paul Okalik to the House. I remember fishing with you in Huskey Lake when we had the western Premiers up in Tuktoyaktuk a few years back. We had a good time. So, welcome to the House.

I’d like to welcome all visitors here in the public gallery today. Thank you for taking an interest in our proceedings.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement today, I have a few questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I’d like to ask the Minister if there are plans by the department to evaluate the pilot project in Fort Smith that I referred to. Maybe the evaluation has already been done. Maybe there are other communities that are already piloting a similar project. I’d like to know what the status is of the evaluation and the encouragement, I guess, of other communities to follow this example.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member indicated, this is currently in the pilot status, and as with pilots, we will evaluate and determine whether or not we will be able to deliver this in the future in other communities, regions, locations throughout the Northwest Territories. I will get a follow-up on the status of the evaluation for the Member.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

I’d like to ask the Minister, would they be at a stage at this point of perhaps calling for expressions of interest from other communities who may like more information on this or who may be wanting to participate in a similar program as this to support elders in their communities? It encompasses a lot of really healthy activity. Would it be premature for other communities to contact the department to express interest?

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

It might be a little early to go out and to actually do an expression, but we’re absolutely willing to share any information that we have on the program with other communities that might be interested in doing the same type of thing. But until we do an actual evaluation and conclude that evaluation, we won’t necessarily be in a position to make any commitments to support that program in any of the other communities, but we will share information.