Debates of June 8th, 2016

This is page numbers 455-492 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 2nd 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

Minister’s Statements 41-18(2): Energy Initiatives Of Public Works And Services

Minister’s Statement 42-18(2): Update On The Northwest Territories Power Corporation

Minister’s Statement 43-18(2): Northwest Territories Climate Change Strategic Framework

Minister’s Statement 44-18(2): Development Of The NWT Energy Plan

Need For Suitable, Adequate And Affordable Housing

Impact Of Migration On Homelessness In Yellowknife

Community Housing Development Plans

Addressing The Need For Affordable Rental Units

Self-Government Initiatives In The Sahtu

Employment Opportunities Relating To Housing Construction

Territorial Housing Issues

Economic Solutions To Reduce Need For Subsidized Housing

Ulukhaktok Arena Closure

Congratulations To Echo Dene School Graduates

Midwifery Services In The Northwest Territories

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Construction Schedule For Charles Tetcho School In Trout Lake

Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Communications Strategy

Improvements To Housing Corporation

Supporting Housing First Clients

Implementing The Deline Community Self-Government Agreement

Reducing The Need For Emergency Shelter Services

Costs Associated With Modular Homes

Midwifery Services

Responsibilities Associated With First Nations Housing

Ulukhaktok Arena Remediation

Replies to Budget Address

Tabled Document 56-18(2): Report Of The Northwest Territories Judicial Remuneration Commission 2016

Tabled Document 57-18(2): Northwest Territories State Of The Environment Report Highlights 2016

Tabled Document 58-18(2): North Slave Resiliency Study Final Report

Consideration in Committee of the Whole on Bills and Other Matters

Motion 30‑18(2): Tabled Document 50‑18(2) Main Estimates 2016‑2017 Environment And Natural Resources, Corporate Management Operations Expenditures (Pg. 87) Reinstatement Of Funding For Public Education Coordinator In Field Support Unit

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

Dr. Kelly

Mr. Chair, those are information under Fund 3. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

I thank the department for their response, Mr. Chair. I'm pleased that we are working on this with our federal partners, as well, and I know that the federal government has made this a very large commitment. Is there a current set of proposals put together by the department to leverage our own resources with incoming federal funding? Do we have an ask to give the federal government to see some of this money flow north? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Ms. Kelly.

Dr. Kelly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are currently discussions going on between ENR and the federal government related to the funding that is on page 109, additional funds from the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Next on my list, I have Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, on the waste reduction line, there is no more money left in there. Could I get an explanation as to where it was picked up? Mr. Chairman, I'm asking on the general page. I guess the plan is to go back to the general page, ask more questions? Okay. I will then defer my questions until we get back to the general page in this section.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Yes, we're going to discuss the details in each division and then back to the general page, where we can discuss it and call it. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I guess I'm going to have to come back to this biomass as I'm really confused. It was done in Fort McMurray. Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Ms. Kelly.

Dr. Kelly

Fort McPherson. The project was set in Fort McPherson. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Sorry. I heard Fort McMurray, and I was trying to figure it out, so I had to ask the question again, just to clarify. Thank you, very much.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Further questions on page 92? Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, as the department knows, Fort McPherson has done a lot in biomass over the last couple of years, and there were talks last year of possibly tying in the school or getting another unit for the school and the community. I'm just wondering if there's any further talks on that. I know Public Works has been leaning towards more biomass projects through the community, so I would just like to get a little update. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. Campbell.

Campbell

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding with our division talking with Public Works is that there continues to be discussion with Fort McPherson on expanding that initiative in Fort McPherson. The initial setup of the current facility with the biomass boiler and the plan for harvesting the fuel wood around there, in particular the willows et cetera, and a small mill that's in place now are good initiatives. My understanding is they're still having some challenges implementing that stuff. However, the discussion on expanding continues, that once they have this current initiative worked out, they will expand. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I know the biggest challenges the community faces is actually having somebody on full-time, because in order to have them even on a part-time basis, whether it's working the afternoons or whatnot, I know the community is having those challenges. Would the department be open to other communities, like, for example, Tsiigehtchic, if they were planning to put a biomass system on the school and gymnasium, would the department be open to that? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. Campbell.

Campbell

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At this point, with the energy initiative, alternative energy initiatives, they've been transferred to Public Works, so the discussion will have to be with Public Works. However, Environment and Natural Resources certainly will be available for the technical support to promote biomass. We're particularly interested in the technical aspect with harvesting of the

fibre

for the biomass initiatives in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know it's a great initiative. I also notice under the heading it mentions homes, as well, Mr. Chair, and I'd like to ask the department: How is that part of it moving forward? Is it with Ecology North, or who's actually heading up that section of it? Thank you.

Debates of June 8th, 2016

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