Debates of May 29th, 2015

This is page numbers 6259 – 6290 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 work.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Morel Mushrooms

Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link Progress

Firth Sisters Elected To Hall Of Fame

Working To Better Coordinate Service Delivery Of Social Supports To NWT Residents

GNWT Support For The Native Communications Society

25th Annual Territorial Track And Field Championships

Elders Facilities In Mackenzie Delta

C.d. Howe Study On Fiscal Accountability Of Governments

Tribute To The Late Mr. Ron Mccagg

South Slave Successful Bid For The 2018 Arctic Winter Games

On-The-Land Corrections Programming

Improved Communications Policies Regarding Highway Closures

Flexible Employment Opportunities

Early Childhood Program Governance And Funding

Respite Care Services

Spring Graduation Ceremonies

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Morel Mushroom Harvesting Concerns

Improving Financial Accountability

Morel Mushroom Harvest

Communications Policies Regarding Road Closures

Early Childhood Program Review

Respite Care Services

Innovative GNWT Recruitment Processes

On-The-Land Rehabilitation Programs

Elders Housing Facilities In Mackenzie Delta

Highway No. 7 Reconstruction And Repairs

Tabled Document 246-17(5): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015 Tabled Document 247-17(5): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016 Tabled Document 248-17(5): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2015-2016

Bill 56: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2015

Reappointment Of Information And Privacy Commissioner

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

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

Concurrence Of Tabled Document 247-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

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

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.

Debates of May 29th, 2015

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