Committee Motion 117-17(5): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 246-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015, Carried

In the Legislative Assembly on May 29th, 2015. See this topic in context.

Committee Motion 117-17(5): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 246-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 246-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 246-17(5) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The motion is on the floor and the motion is being distributed. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

May 28th, 2015

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Committee, we will move on to Tabled Document 247-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016. I’ll go to the Minister responsible. Minister Miltenberger, do you have opening comments?

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016. This document provides for an increase of $65.8 million to the capital budget. The most significant items in this supplementary estimates are:

1. $61 million in capital carry-overs for the

completion of infrastructure projects. This represents a carry-over of 20 percent of the previous year’s capital plan, which is the lowest in the past 10 years. These costs are offset by an equivalent lapse of infrastructure funding in the 2014-15 fiscal year; and

2. $1.6 million associated with the revised

acquisition schedule for the new air tractor fleet.

I am prepared to review the details of the supplementary estimates document. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Minister Miltenberger, I’m assuming you still have the same witnesses. Committee, we’re reviewing Tabled Document 247-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016. General comments. Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don’t really have specific questions, so I will keep my comments to general remarks here. I really would just like to acknowledge that the great majority,

probably 95 percent is carry-over from largely infrastructure projects, and it is indeed a great amount, $67 million. But on the other hand, it’s down in percentages in what our carry-over has been for the last several years. It’s been up to 30 to 35 percent and this year it’s down to 20 percent, and I’d like to acknowledge that we did a good job in the previous year at completing our infrastructure projects, or at least advancing to a greater degree than normal. I know that’s a result of some focus on that area, and I’d like to acknowledge that progress.

I’ll leave my comments at that, and I look forward to any further comments from my colleagues. Mahsi.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. General comments. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I just have a few comments, as well, and I feel the same as Mr. Bromley. Although, from what I understand, the amount of carry-over this year in terms of dollars is larger than what we carried over last year. The percentage of our total capital budget has gone way down, by about 10 to 15 percent, I believe. So, I think that is an indication that we are being a little bit more realistic in what work we can do, and I think the departments are getting out ahead of the game, so to speak, and making sure that the projects that they get capital money for are, as much as possible, being done. I just urge the government to keep that up.

I think the less money we have in carry-overs, the better. There are always extenuating circumstances, so they’ll always have carry-over. But this year I think has been a good year.

I have a couple of concerns with some of the carry-overs, but I’ll leave that until we get to detail. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d again like to welcome the department here today as we review these supplementary appropriations. In a general sense, the concern I have is about the timing of these appropriations. To put it into context, the fact that Members here had very little time to review the numbers, to do the analysis, to read the number of briefing notes that were accompanying each line of change, even though it’s a carry-over or a lapse or an offset. Some of these documents do require some time to filter through and to balance off main estimates and even to look at past historical performance by the various departments.

My opening comment is: Is there any way that we can make this system a little bit more efficient so that we can get this information in the hands of the Members at a minimum two weeks before they hit the floor of the House? In this case, this information is within days.

I’m just asking whether or not the process or policy or both can be earmarked for future Assemblies to find more efficiencies. Again, it goes back to some of my earlier questions about financial management in my Member’s statement, getting a D-plus because of our financial reporting. This is a prime example of where the reporting of appropriations getting in the hands of Members was a bit tardy. So, really a general question, is there an opportunity for improvement, and can we get some degree of assurances that future governments, future Assemblies will at least get this information two weeks before we’re able to talk about this in the House? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

In this particular cycle, the session that we’re currently in is about a week or so earlier than normal and it squeezed us for time because of year-end and such. We agree with the Member that we would like to make sure that on a go-forward basis we hit the timelines that Members are given and have enough opportunity to thoroughly review the information so we can have a fulsome discussion. We’ll make sure that we work with the Legislature and committees on our planning on a go-forward basis when we look at dates. Normally when we look at dates of session, these types of documents don’t sort of figure into the mix about where they are in the cycle and what that will do to squeeze in the time requirements and ability to have enough time to further review things. So, the Member raises a good point and we’ll, on a go-forward basis, flag this to be considered as well. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

I do appreciate the Minister’s reply and explanation, and we’ll take it for what it is and hopefully we can improve upon. No further general comments, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Committee, we’re on general comments on Tabled Document 247-17(5). General comments. Is committee agreed we’ll go to detail?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Okay, we’ll go to page 5, Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016, Department of Education, operations expenditures, education and culture, not previously authorized, $115,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $115,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Health and Social Services, operations

expenditures, administrative support services, not previously authorized, $524,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $524,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, operations expenditures, community operations, not previously authorized, $1.760 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $1.760 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Public Works and Services, operations expenditures, asset management, not previously authorized, $480,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $480,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Legislative Assembly, capital investment expenditures, Office of the Clerk, not previously authorized, $203,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Maybe just a point of clarity here. This Legislative Assembly amount, I believe these were funds that were put in place from investment funds that are now in the hands of government to control for very specific enhancements and improvements to the facility of the Legislative Assembly. Aside from what we are seeing here as a new phone system, which I believe is a separate entity, the enhancement to the Water’s Edge Park of $147,000 and improvements to increase accessibility of $56,000, the $147,000 and the $56,000, is that just the lapsed money from this fund? Will that include the total amount that was put aside from the Building Fund organizers to the structures and enhancements that were promised? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

That’s correct, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

No further questions, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Office of the Clerk, not previously authorized, $203,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $203,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Education, Culture and Employment, capital investment expenditures, education and culture, not previously authorized, $1.870 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Labour development and standards, not previously authorized, $448,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $2.318 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, capital investment expenditures, environment, not previously authorized, $29,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Forest management, not previously authorized, $2.246 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is a large amount here of $1.5 million to provide funding for the purchase of eight Air Tractor Fire Boss air tankers. Could I get an explanation of why this is a supplementary appropriation? I believe we had put it into our budget earlier, the budget that was passed earlier this year. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Deputy Minister Aumond.

Aumond

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the latter part of April, the contractor approached the department with an opportunity or an option to exonerate the first two aircraft in exchange for offering savings on the remaining fleet of craft to be purchased. So we need to increase in 2015-16 about 1.254 million US dollars, or about 1.554 million Canadian dollars, in exchange for getting savings in 2016-17 of about 1.588 million US dollars for a net savings over the total life of the project of about $334,000 US. Thank you.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks to Mr. Aumond for that. I’m presuming that if we are advancing $1.5 million that we’re probably going to have to borrow it. Have we considered the cost of advancing the money in terms of borrowing against the money that we’re

saving? I imagine it probably isn’t a heck of a lot, but I have to ask the question. Thank you.

Aumond

Given that we are likely to be in a cash deficit for most of the year, it will cost us a bit of interest but be more than offset by the savings that we get in 2016-17.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Just one last question. The statement was that this would accelerate the delivery of the first two aircraft. Am I correct, we are going to get two aircraft a little sooner than the original schedule laid out? Will that have any impact on the aircraft following the delivery of the two? Is that schedule impacted? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Kalgutkar.

Kalgutkar

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member is correct; we are advancing the engine and the airframe portion of the first two aircraft, so they should be ready a bit earlier. The remaining aircraft remain on the current schedule. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Kalgutkar. Next I have Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just continuing questions where Ms. Bisaro left off, so we have an accelerated delivery of two of the 802 Fire Boss air tankers en route. I look here and there is some carry forward or offset for an air tanker base workshop/storage in Hay River. We have another air tanker base dispatch standby facility in Norman Wells, which seems to be lapsed money. So, with the anticipated early delivery of these two air tankers, where will these tankers be predominantly located, and again, are we also having multiple air tanker base facilities throughout the Northwest Territories? Is that the intention here? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The current infrastructure will continue to be used. The aircraft will be split initially between Smith and Yellowknife on a start-up basis, then they will be moved across the North on a required basis, wherever that may be. We have other supplementary bases in Hay River, Norman Wells, Simpson and Inuvik, among other places. So we will continue to use the infrastructure that we have to support the current aircraft which, over time, will be surplused. Thank you.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

I appreciate the Minister’s response to that. Just as a confirmation, because we are looking at an accelerated delivery of these 802 air tankers, will we have the facility in place to deal with that early delivery? Thank you.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Yes, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Committee, we are on Environment

and Natural Resources, capital investment expenditures, forest management, not previously authorized, $2.246 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Water resources, not previously authorized, $180,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Wildlife, not previously authorized, $185,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $2.640 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Finance, capital investment expenditures, office of the chief information officer, not previously authorized, $592,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Office of the comptroller general, not previously authorized, $100,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $692,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Health and Social Services, capital investment expenditures, administrative and supportive services, not previously authorized, $33.139 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I have a couple of questions here. The first one has to do with the amount of money for the H.H. Williams Hospital in Hay River. I see that this is a carry-over amount of some $200,000. I thought that we had advanced money for this project, so I’m wondering why we still have a carry-over at this point. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Kalgutkar.

Kalgutkar

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As Members know, it’s a large, multi-year project, and we did advance the work the previous fiscal year, and this is this work to complete the project and bring it into service later this summer. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Kalgutkar. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks, Mr. Kalgutkar. Can I get a sense, then, of whether or not we are on schedule, behind schedule, ahead of schedule in terms of the opening date? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The project is on schedule, as far as I understand. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. I’ll go to Minister Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. They’re planning to start moving into that building late summer or fall. It’s on schedule.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thanks to the Ministers for that info. The other item here that I have questions about is the health centre in Norman Wells. It’s a large amount of money, almost $15 million. It suggests that that project wasn’t even started. Could I get an explanation as to why we are carrying over such a large amount?

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There were discussions and negotiations with the contractor that extended farther than was anticipated, which precluded us from taking advantage of the previous season. Hence, it’s all been sorted out and everything is operational now, but hence the requirement for the carry-over. Thank you.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks. Just one last question. So, is this carry-over going to have an impact on the intended opening date for this facility? Thank you.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

No, we are still going to hit the schedule as laid out. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Next on the list I have Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d like to talk about the line entry for the $4.687 million that was lapsed under the title or descriptor called medical equipment - various. If I can get an explanation as to what that is. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Mr. Kalgutkar.

Kalgutkar

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That was some diagnostic imaging equipment that the department had planned to purchase during the fiscal year. They had some delays in starting the RFP process and are now requesting that funding be carried over into this fiscal year to enable the department to purchase that equipment. Some of the equipment that they’re purchasing is a mobile radiographic unit for the Stanton Hospital, for the Inuvik Hospital and for the Hay River Health Centre; general-purpose radiographic unit for the Stanton Hospital, the Hay River Health Centre and the Fort Smith Health Centre; CT scanner for Stanton and the portable radiographic unit for some of the various health care facilities within the Territories. If

you add this carry-over to the current existing budget that the department has of $3.25 million, it should provide them with the funding needed to complete their medical equipment plan for this fiscal year. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Kalgutkar. Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess to the question, does any of this carry-over or lapsed funding… Is there anything attributable to the electronic system, which we’ve heard has had significant project challenges in the last year or so? Does that have anything to attribute to this number? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Deputy Minister Aumond.

Aumond

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, not that I’m aware of.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, deputy minister. Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you. With that, I’ll go a couple lines down and I will speak to the line that is indeed called electronic medical records, EMR various, for $2.496 million. Again to my earlier question, we knew that there have been a number of project challenges, changes of the vendor system that I believe was acquired by Telehealth, delays with contract negotiations and vendor negotiations.

So, to the question, this has been something that I’ve been tracking for a number of budget cycles here in terms of the total dollars spent, total dollars lapsed, and if you start adding up the numbers, it is actually quite confusing. Some of these monies were federal monies that we had at the beginning and some of them were lapsed over multiple years.

I guess to the question, this $2.496 million that has lapsed, is this the final completion stage of the so-called original budget of the EMR process? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Deputy Minister Aumond.

Aumond

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, the Member is correct.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you. If that is indeed the case, then I guess as a member of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and as a Member of this House, would we be able to get a final cost accounting? I believe this is over at least five or six years for the department. Could we also get a full cost accounting of all the federal monies involved just so we can get a complete financial picture of what EMR cost the taxpayers? Thank you.

Aumond

Yes, I think that information was provided to committee earlier this morning. Thank you.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

No, I appreciate it. I haven’t had a chance to read it, if it has indeed been given. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Committee, we’re on administrative and supportive services, not previously authorized, $33.139 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you. Total department, not previously authorized, $33.139 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

The Department of Human Resources, capital investment expenditures, directorate, not previously authorized, $36,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department not previously authorized, $36,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, capital investment expenditures, economic diversification and business support, not previously authorized, $65,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Mineral and petroleum resources, not previously authorized, negative $1.202 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Tourism and parks. Sorry, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I look at the list here in tourism and parks and it’s not a huge amount of money. I mean, it’s $2.4 million but in the grand scheme of things it’s not that huge, but there are an awful lot of projects in here. So I’m wondering if this is a situation where ITI is trying to get too much done in a year. I seem to recall that in previous years we had a fairly long list in each of the last several years of tourism and parks projects, which didn’t get done.

So, although there’s not much in each of these projects, there are a lot of projects here and it adds up to $2.4 million. Can the Minister or his staff give me any idea as to why we have so many of these projects that didn’t get done? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Yes, committee, we’re looking at tourism and parks, not previously authorized, $2.397 million. Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think it’s a reflection of a number of things. ITI, we have a fair number of parks, all these projects that are underway. As you will notice, they cover a good range of the Northwest Territories. In just about every place, as the Member pointed out earlier, there are circumstances, for whatever reason or case-by-case that resulted in projects not quite getting completed. The amounts of money per park are small and it is anticipated that these will be completed this season.

The other thing I’d point out, especially in the smaller communities these types of projects are probably one of the bigger economic activities that will be happening. So this money will be put, once again, to good use as they get finished off this year. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thanks to the Minister. I appreciate that. I’m glad to hear that these projects are ongoing and that this is a continuation. I guess I would just admonish ITI to be careful how much they are planning to do in the next year, knowing that they get behind almost every year and maybe they should scale back a few of their projects. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. I think that was a general comment. Committee, we’re on tourism and parks, not previously authorized, $2.397 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $1.260 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Next is Department of Justice, capital investment expenditures, corrections, not previously authorized, $2.127 million. Agreed? Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I notice in the corrections’ budget here we have two entries here for North Slave Correctional Centre, both involving fencing for a combined total of $356,000. This is lapsed money here. With this money, if you use this here, will that project be complete and on budget?

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It will be completed this summer during the existing construction season. Thank you.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

There was a second part to that question: Will it be on budget? Thank you.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

As far as we are aware, yes.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you. No further questions.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Committee, we’re on corrections, not previously authorized $2.127 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed?

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Agreed. Court services, not previously authorized, $783,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Legal aid services, not previously authorized, $106,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Services to public, not previously authorized, $231,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $3.247 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Next we’ll go to the Department of Lands, capital investment expenditures, operations, not previously authorized, $260,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $260,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Department of Public Works and Services, capital investment expenditures, asset management, not previously authorized, $7.412 million. Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again we see on here the new 6,000 square metre general purpose office building in Yellowknife for $3.967 million. I would assume this is the last amount of money available for completion of this building. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

The Member is correct, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Again, my second question, I would assume this building will be completed during this quarter, quarter two here. Is the building, as well, on its original budget on its completion? Thank you.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Yes to both questions from the Member. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Minister. Next on the list I have Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I have a question with regards to the $300,000 for a planning study for Taiga Lab. I guess I would like to know, this is a new expense, I think. It looks to me like it’s a new

expense. So, why are we not able to put this into our budget which we passed not very long ago? Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Kalgutkar.

Kalgutkar

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This project is going to be funded through the one-time transitional funding that was provided as part of the Devolution Final Agreement. There is some surplus available in that funding and we thought given that that lab does need a bit of refreshing and some upgrading, this would be a good opportunity to utilize that funding to look at doing that for that lab. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Kalgutkar. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thanks to Mr. Kalgutkar. That does explain why this is here. I guess it would have helped if there was an explanation that it was offset by funding which we already had in the bank. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Committee, we are on asset management, not previously authorized… Sorry, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to follow up on my colleagues with regard to the new general purpose facility in Yellowknife. I know we’ve had a lot of discussions on getting territorial art into that building and coming up with a policy. Can I get confirmation that indeed the policy is in place and that this building will be, where appropriate, studded with NWT art as per the policy?

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Where it is possible to hang art in our new buildings, we will do that. We have been working with the NWT Arts Society. You are seeing some of the screens with the art on them at the airport here and in the main office building in Inuvik. So we’ll continue working with them to put what’s appropriate up in that new building.

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I appreciate the Minister’s response. I wonder if committee could be provided with an inventory of the art and the space in the building, the wall space or whatever, floor space, dedicated to the display of art in the facility according to the new policy.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

I will have the department provide that information to the committee.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Committee, we are on asset management, not previously authorized, $7.412 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Energy, not previously authorized, $179,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Technology Service Centre, not previously authorized, $1.414 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $9.005 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Next we are on Department of Transportation, capital investment expenditures, airports, not previously authorized, $2.780 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Highways, not previously authorized, $6.414 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question here with regard to the Inuvik Tuk Highway. It’s almost $5 million and it is a carry-over. I understand that. It’s my recollection we had an extended discussion in the House about advancing money for this project. So I’d like to get an explanation as to why this project is seemingly behind, perhaps, where we are in terms of completion of this project, are we going to be finished on schedule, why it is that we are lapsing $5 million from last year’s construction season. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Kalgutkar.

Kalgutkar

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member is correct; it is a lapse, but the department did fall about seven to 13 kilometres of where they had targeted to be completed in terms of the 2014-15 construction season. The key reason for that is they had some warm weather conditions that delayed some of the construction work. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Kalgutkar. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m not quite sure how to follow that. I am having a very hard time reconciling that we advanced $20 million and now we’re lapsing $5 million.

The other part of my question is what impact is this going to have on the schedule for completion of the highway? I don’t think I heard an answer to that. Thank you.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The project was advanced $40 million. The project still intends to hit the timelines and construction schedule that was laid out.

I will ask Minister Beaulieu if he wants to add anything further, with your concurrence, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Minister Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The amount of kilometres is the way in which we will be budgeting the project. However, the project and the cost and the payments are based on the amount of embankment that is hauled by the project company. What we were anticipating is to haul 67 percent of the embankment on the construction of the Inuvik Tuk Highway at this point in time. However, we were able to haul just slightly over 60 percent of the embankment and that caused us to lapse the $4.8 million that is lapsed. We have a distance of about 55 kilometres to cover next construction season. We budgeted that it would be 40 percent. But as far as the embankment goes, we would need to haul about 40 percent of the embankment. We anticipate that we will be able to be on schedule because we were able to haul about 40 percent of the embankment this season in spite of the warm spell that affected us not quite in the middle but close to the end of the construction season.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Minister Beaulieu. Committee, we’re on highways, not previously authorized, $6.414 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Committee, Department of Transportation continued, marine, not previously authorized, $563,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Road licensing and safety, not previously authorized, $366,000.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Total department, not previously authorized, $10.123 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

Does committee agree we are done with Tabled Document 247-17(5)?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Robert Bouchard

I will go to Ms. Bisaro.

Committee Motion 117-17(5): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 246-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015, Carried

Help us improve OpenNWT