Debates of Feb. 24th, 2014

This is page numbers 3851 – 3904 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

Oral Questions
Prayer
Point Of Privilege
Northern Lands, Northern Leadership
Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association 60th Anniversary And Thank You For Making A Difference
Decision-Making Process
Hospital-Induced Infections
Pedestrian Crosswalks Across Public Highways
Education Week
Investment In Traditional Economy In The Sahtu
Congratulations To East Three Elementary School Basketball Champions
Will And Estate Planning Seminar
Kakisa Wildland Fire Protection Plan
Junior Kindergarten Funding
Whati Hand Games Tournament
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Training And Skill Development Program In The Sahtu
Decision-Making Power Related To Devolution
Procurement Processes
Wildland Fire Protection Plans
Will And Estate Planning Services
Reporting Hospital-Induced Infections
Impact Of Junior Kindergarten On Day Homes
Construction Of Four Mile Creek Bridge
Complaint Against Third-Party Renter
Written Question 11-17(5): Prevalence Of ‘superbug’ Bacterial Infections
Written Question 12-17(5): Housekeeping Cleaning Budgets In NWT Health Care Facilities
Written Question 13-17(5): Social Work Program At Aurora College
Tabled Document 48-17(5): Errata For Tabled Document 22-17(5), Northwest Territories Main Estimates 2014-2015
Tabled Document 49-17(5): Northern Lands, Northern Leadership: The GNWT Land Use And Sustainability Framework
Bill 12: Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act
Bill 11: Petroleum Resources Act
Bill 10: Northwest Territories Lands Act
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Funding Increase For Ywca And NGOs
Target Wait Time For Legal Aid Services
Recorded Vote
Translation Of Legal Terminology
Recorded Vote
Funding For Evaluation Of On-The-Land Programming
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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

That’s an education in itself.

The other area I am wondering about, I know from my experience with the AANDC offices, that when the mine inspection division had cases to be made and took it to Justice at the federal level, they repeatedly declined to take on that legal action, and obviously this has consequences because things get worse and worse and it is a bit of a sliding slope, so I want to know that this government is preparing for that. Now, this may not be the right division for this and I would welcome the Ministers’ direction on where to bring this up, but I am looking or will be looking for how this department is providing to ensure that we have the capacity to deal with those issues when inspectors put a case forward for legal action.

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. Bromley. Minister Ramsay.

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That question would possibly be best posed to the new Lands 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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

This is not a lands issue. The inspectors are out there doing their job, I think Lands, in this case, are adding a number of new inspectors. They do their work, they put a case together, they have to submit it to the Department of Justice for legal action. I want to know that, unlike the Government of Canada, this government will have the capacity to take that legal action. Thank you.

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

The department supports the various departments in legal advice and preparation, and I wouldn’t see it changing under what the Member is bringing up, so yes, that is what we do, we provide support and advice. Thank you.

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

So, what additional resources would be in this budget – and if there is another area to pursue this, then I am happy to do that – that will provide the increased capacity needed to deal with taking on the enforcement aspects of land and resource management?

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

We don’t do any type of enforcement. Again, we’re there to support departments and we would provide that support. We have beefed up the legal division’s team in advance of devolution, I believe, by five positions. We anticipate that division will be busier and, again, be ready, willing and able to provide advice and direction to various departments. Thank you.

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Are we talking about this division?

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

The legal division is what I’m referring to, Mr. Chairman.

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

That’s all for this page. 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. Bromley. Continuing on with questions on 9-13, I have 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. On this particular page we have just over $9 million in grants and contributions, and that looks like it’s applied to 70 particular staff members. I’m just curious as to the particulars of the dollar amount. How many of 70 positions are filled and, conversely, how many are unfilled? 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. Hawkins. Minister Ramsay.

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Was the Member talking about grants and contributions, the $9,000? Was that what he was referencing? 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, Minister Ramsay. I believe it’s the $9.231 million and the 70 positions. I think that’s what he’s referencing. Mr. Ramsay.

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We’ll go to Ms. Schofield for a response. 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, Minister Ramsay. Ms. Schofield.

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

Schofield

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m just trying to do a quick calculation of the number of positions that are vacant. There are three positions that Deputy Minister Haener had identified that are being sunsetted or inactivated, then there are two actual vacant positions in that area. 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. Schofield. 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 for that. Out of the three positions that are being sunsetted, are they vacant at this particular moment, and if so, how long have they been vacant? Again, those three positions as noted by Ms. Schofield. Thank you.

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

Schofield

The two legislative drafting positions that are sunsetting are vacant and the work is being covered off through contract drafters.

The other legislative drafter, there was no funding associated with that position. Thank you.

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

Then as far as the other two vacant positions, would Ms. Schofield be able to let me know how long they’ve been vacant as well? Thank you.

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

Schofield

I’m sorry; I don’t have that information in front of me.

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

Can the department provide it? 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. Hawkins. Minister Ramsay.