Thank you, Mr. Bromley. With that, I’ll go to Ms. Hilderman.
Debates of March 2nd, 2015
This is page numbers 5871 – 5908 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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Hilderman
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that is correct; it was timing. When we became aware of the amount of the quarrying and the final inspection, it was after the estimates were determined.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thanks, Mr. Chair. Is that all we know that there will be royalties or revenue there, or do we actually know what are revenues are so far this fiscal year?
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Hilderman
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, so far this year we do have $856,000 in quarry royalties.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair Robert Bouchard
Thank you, Ms. Hilderman. Committee, we’re on page 326, lands, revenue summary. 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
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 Robert Bouchard
Page 329, corporate management, operations expenditure summary, $4.056 million.
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
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 Robert Bouchard
Page 333, informatics, operations expenditure summary, $7.119 million. Mr. Bromley.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Is this where we would see the Western Arctic Centre for Geomatics in Inuvik? If I can get a little explanation that way I see this centre for about exactly what that will be doing, how it will be serving our residents and maybe are we getting any federal support for that? I’d like to ask that question. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Warren
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Western Arctic Centre for Geomatics is going to be an expansion of the Geomatics Centre that is now based in Yellowknife. It’s able to do that because of the Fibre Optic Link that’s going into the valley. Prior to that, we wouldn’t have the ability to transmit the kind of data that is associated with geospatial data, which is big data. It’s also taking advantage of the opportunities associated with the space agencies and their desire to see value-added industry added in the North. If we can establish the platform for them to take advantage of what is being introduced through the space agency, they made commitments that they will work with us to build an industry there.
I think the Members are well aware of the kind of industry that has been seen in other jurisdictions such as in Kiruna where they created a multi-million-dollar industry with several hundred jobs associated with the movement of this big data largely because they happen to be in a convenient geographical location for the satellite station. We’re trying to capture and build on that. We’re working with Aurora College. We’re also working very much with the federal government. The federal government has provided funding up front to do the feasibility study on the Western Arctic, and that was the basis for moving forward. They’ve also made commitments going forward to help provide support
both through open data sharing and also through in-kind support. We meet with them on a very regular basis related to this project.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks to the deputy minister for that information. As we staff these people – and I see looking ahead we will probably have a few employees there – do we have those sorts of skills in the NWT workforce, or will there be a training component to this to try and bump the opportunities for local residents? Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
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Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I like the Member’s point that we have to view this as an opportunity to train a lot of Northerners to take advantage of some of these positions that are going to be open here at the Geomatics Centre, also with the fibre optic line and the possible satellite receiving station up in Inuvik. There are going to be many more opportunities there. I think there’s a huge opportunity here to work in partnership with Education, Aurora College, to ensure that some of our residents have a new field that they can possibly graduate into, because there will be a number of positions that should be available. If we can train Northerners to take advantage of these positions, then I think there will be huge benefit to having all of these types of development in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Mr. Chair, that’s all I have, but just following up on the Minister’s remarks, he has my point in spades. I think it would be great if he came into committee with how we will be achieving that, the plan that we’re going to put in place to get that. That’s all I have. 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 Robert Bouchard
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. I’ll take that as a general comment. Committee, we’re on page 333, informatics, operations expenditure summary, $7.119 million. Agreed?