Debates of June 16th, 2016

This is page numbers 673-724 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 thanks.

Topics

Oral Questions
Prayer
Minister’s Statement 55-18(2): Development Of The NWT Agriculture Strategy And Food Production Plan
Minister’s Statement 56-18(2): Changes To The Income Assistance Program
Minister’s Statement 57-18(2): K’atlodeeche First Nation Implementation Of Public Housing
Minister’s Statement 58-18(2): Development Of The Revitalization Strategy For Commercial Fishing
Increased Sole Source Contracting Limits
Trout Lake Traditional Place Name Change
Acknowledgement Of Skills Canada Participant And Mackenzie Delta Page Gordon Papik
Condolences On The Passing Of Lucy Dillon
Public Legal Education And The Closure Of The Court Library
Environmental Remediation Sites Along Great Bear Lake
Increased Sole-Source Contracting Limits
Adherence To The United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples
Progress On The Recommendations From The Truth And Reconciliation Commission Final Report
Economic Potential Of The Oil And Gas Industry
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Allain St-Cyr Graduation
Community Access To Homelessness Funding
Increased Sole Source Contracting Limits
Increased Sole-Source Contracting Limits
Price Difference Between Modular And Stick-Built Housing Construction
Environmental Remediation Sites Along Great Bear Lake
Closure Of The Court Library
Adherence To The United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Aboriginal Peoples
Development Of An Oil And Gas Strategy
Dempster Highway Maintenance
Information On Fort Simpson Ferry Service
Public Reporting On Sole-Source Contracting
Contract Midwifery Services In Yellowknife
Written Question 6-18(2): Cost Of Visual Identity Program
Tabled Document 71-18(2): 2015 Annual Report – Office Of The Fire Marshall
Tabled Document 72-18(2): Correspondence From Yellowknife Chamber Of Commerce – Request To Reduce Corporate Tax Rates
Extended Adjournment Of The House To June 23, 2016
Extended Adjournment Of The House To June 23, 2016
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
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

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

That is good. Thank you, Mr Chair.

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 R.J. Simpson

Nothing further. I have Mr. Thompson on my list. Mr. Thompson.

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

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Regarding the Nahendeh district, I see an increase of $228,000. Could you explain what the increase is on that? Thank you, Mr Chair.

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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

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

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr Chair. I was tempted to ask the Member if he would like us to remove it. Instead of giving you that answer, I will ask Mr. Martin to speak to it.

---Laughter

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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Martin.

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

Martin

Thank you, Mr Chairman. The increase is explained, again, by the new federal funding that has come in. That is the Nahendeh's share of that new federal funding. That was for, again as mentioned, demolition, fuel, and hot water tank replacements and minor MNR work. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Martin. Mr. Thompson.

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

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, and I thank you for that answer. However, I notice that you talked about yet a new LHO coming into Fort Liard with three positions, new office space. Where is that money in this budget? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

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

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr Chair. That is actually covered within the community housing services which is on page 361.

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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.

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

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess I am just a little bit confused because it talks about district operations. So maybe I can get a clarification what district operations means then if it doesn't mean the O and M and staffing of their district office as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

June 16th, 2016

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Anderson.

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

Anderson

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The district office that we have in our regional centres, that supports the delivery of our home ownership programs and our capital works that we do. The offices that we have at the community level are under the community housing services activity as well as the resources in administration and maintenance that you see there would be where the dollars are to support the positions, the 128 positions, we have at the community level. 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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Mr. Thompson, do you have further questions that pertain to page 370, as we have already agreed upon 361?

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

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr Chair. Just trying to clarify because I guess it is just a little confusing for myself with this process. I apologize. I see that money is there, so we are all good. Thank you.

---Laughter

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 R.J. Simpson

Nothing further, Mr. Thompson? Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Beaulieu is next on my list. Mr. Beaulieu.

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

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr Chairman. Mr. Chairman, similar questions on the reductions. My interest of course in the North Slave district and South Slave district. Just wondering if they could explain the reductions compared to the actuals in 2014-15.

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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister.

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

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr Chair. It is the same issue, but I will let Mr. Martin expand on that.

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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Martin.

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

Martin

Thank you, Mr Chairman. Yes, as mentioned previously, the decrease from 2014-15 actuals to the 2015-16 current main budgets is again explained by the year-end accounting adjustments, reclassifying project expenditures at the end of the year based on scope reviews from major capital to minor capital for proper accounting purposes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Martin. Mr. Beaulieu.

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

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr Chair. Mr. Chairman, sorry, it caught me a little offguard. I thought that this was for the district operations, and in that I mean the operations of the district staff, all the staff that work in the district operations. I didn't know that these were the program dollars for the communities. I thought they were just the staff that were there and I was anticipating that maybe there was a reduction in the number of staff in those district offices. Thank you.