Debates of June 17th, 2016

This is page numbers 725-762 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 program.

Topics

Prayer
Point of Order
Minister’s Statement 59-18(2): Celebrating Student Achievement
Minister’s Statement 60-18(2): Gender Equality
Minister’s Statement 61-18(2): 2016 National Aboriginal Day
2016 National Aboriginal Day
Reduced Tax Rates To Support Small Business
Congratulations To Graduates Of Thomas Simpson Secondary School
Australian Campaign To Eliminate Family Violence
GNWT Liabilities For Prairie Creek Mine
Supporting Parents In The Birthing Experience
Environmental Liabilities Associated With Northern Transportation Company Limited
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Implementing Truth And Reconciliation Commission Recommendations
Procedure To Address Afterhours Issues At Small Airports
Reduced Tax Rates For Small Business
GNWT Campaign To Eliminate Family Violence
Support To Participate In The Birthing Experience
impacts Associated With Northern Transportation Company Limited
financial Security Associated With Prairie Creek Mine
status Of Open Government Policy
status Of Mackenzie Valley Highway Business Case
Procedure To Address Afterhours Issues At Small Airports
northwest Territories Power Corporation Interim Rate Application
habitat Protection For Bathurst Caribou Herd
proposed Closure Of Court Library
Tabled Document 74-18(2): Ekati, Diavik And Snap Lake Socio-Economic Agreements Implementation Report
Tabled Document 75-18(2): Follow-Up Letter To Oral Question 138-18(2): Hay River Long-Term Care Beds
Tabled Document 76-18(2): Change The Story: A Shared Framework For The Primary Prevention Of Violence Against Women And Their Children In Australia
Altering Hours Of Sitting For Monday, June 27, 2016
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act
Bill 6: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Revolving Funds Act
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Children's Law Act
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Report of the 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

June 16th, 2016

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Are there other positions affected outside of that facility? 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. Testart. Minister.

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

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes. Mr. Chair, there are probation officer positions affected. 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, Minister. Mr. Testart.

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

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing further.

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. Testart. Any further comments or questions?

Seeing none, we will continue on to community justice and policing. The total activity page is 263. We will defer that until we discuss the detail on page 264 and 265. Do we have comments or questions on page 264? Ms. Green

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

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to confirm that this is the correct section in which to discuss the new day program and the integrated case management projects. Is that correct 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, Ms. Green. Minister Sebert.

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

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, I believe that program does come under this section.

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. Sebert. Ms. Green.

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

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, could the Minister describe for us what is happening with the New Day Program, which is a pilot program at this point? What are the next steps for the New Day Program? 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, Ms. Green. Minister.

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

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, the program is going to be evaluated at the end of the year. I believe a contract has been let with a organization that will evaluate the program. I believe we are hoping to get that report back by the ends of the year. Perhaps Ms. Haener can provide more detail. 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, Minister. Ms. Green.

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

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was kind of expecting to hear from Ms. Haener.

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

I apologize. That one is on me. Ms. Haener.

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

Haener

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just to get more information on the New Day Program, the Minister indicated that it is undergoing an evaluation. That is part of the piloting process that is being engaged in currently with the current service delivery provider. As the Minister indicated, we intend to have that evaluation completed this year. The contract with the current service provider ends at the end of this calendar year. It is our objective to have the evaluation inform the development of any awarding of any future contracts for the delivery of the program as well as the ongoing design of the program. It is our intention to ensure that we continue to deliver this type of programming. 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, Ms. Haener. Ms. Green.

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

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I recognize that it is not easy to evaluate a program like this because the change would be seen over the long- term, not necessarily within a matter of weeks or months. I am wondering on what basis this program will be evaluated? 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, Ms. Green. Minister.

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

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, we have a contract with an organization that is very experienced in this area, but perhaps I can ask Ms. Haener to give more detail. 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, Minister. Ms. Haener.

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

Haener

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This program was actually created in follow-up to the Family Violence Action Plan. It was developed in a highly collaborative manner with NGOs and others involved. So there is a very strong, detailed description of how the program is to be delivered and that is included in the contract with the service provider. So that information along with the contract will be used to lay out the assessment process to ensure that the contractor is delivering the program -- or to assess whether the program is being delivered in line with what was envisioned in the contract and the program description. As well, the evaluation will try to look at whether or not the program, as described and outlined in the contract, is actually achieving the objectives that it was originally intended to. Is it achieving success in terms of making a change for the men who are partaking in the program? So that would involve several different approaches in evaluation, including speaking to participants, speaking to providers, and gathering information in those ways to base an assessment upon. 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, Ms. Haener. Ms. Green.

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

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that complete answer. I understand that the current service provider has now developed some expertise in delivering this program. I am wondering if there is any possibility, pending the satisfactory review, whether in fact there could be a seamless transition between the current contract and the next contract with the same service provider? Thank you.