This is page numbers 763-836 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 mr chair.

Topics

Consideration in the 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. Vanthuyne.

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

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wonder if the Minister can please explain a little bit more about the work plan that he's referenced and what that-- you know, he says that it's going to consist of deliverables and a timeline. If he could elaborate on what Members can expect to see with regard to the work plan that would be appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in the 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. Vanthuyne. Minister.

Consideration in the 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 wonder if I might have the deputy minister address the issue. Thank you.

Consideration in the 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 the 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. We are working on this initiative in collaboration with the Department of the Executive, and part of the work plan or the work plan we expect to cover items like the research on what is happening in other jurisdictions with ombudsmans and the models that are deployed there, the-- what the experience is in those other jurisdictions in terms of effectiveness. Obviously, aspects of the work would include consultation and engagement with folks here and with other stakeholders. Those are the types of things we would expect to see covered off in a work plan and timeframes would be developed to go in the work plan as well and frame out when we would expect different phases to be completed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in the 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. Mr. Vanthuyne.

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

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and that's great information; I appreciate that. I'm wondering if we could maybe get a timeline from the department on when we might see the work plan itself, or is that something that is even going to be shared with Members? The reason why I ask is I don't want to necessarily be a part of every step of this process but there was indication that there would be some consultation and public engagement and so I'm trying to get an understanding of when the work plan would be going through that process of public consultation and engagement. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in the 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. Vanthuyne. Minister.

Consideration in the 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, after the caucus meeting and the summer is over there could be a meeting between -- another meeting of Caucus to discuss just those next steps. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in the 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. Vanthuyne. Nothing further from Mr. Vanthuyne. No one further on my list. Are there further comments or questions, services to government? Seeing none, I will call the total activity on page 282, services to government, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $13,361,000. Agreed?

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

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in the 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

We'll move on to page 286, services to public. We'll defer the total activity until we discuss the detail on page -- starting with page 287. Comments or questions on page 287, services to public, active positions. I'll give Committee a moment. Seeing none we can move back to page 286, services to public, operations expenditure summary. Do we have comments or questions on page 286? Ms. Green.

Consideration in the 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

Sorry, this question relates to 286. May I ask it now?

Consideration in the 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

To page 286? Yes, we're on page 286 now.

Consideration in the 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

Okay, thank you for that. Earlier today, Mr. Chair, I spoke about the backlog of work in the public guardian's office, and the public trustee's office is in some ways a mirror image of the public guardian, and I'm wondering if the Public Trustee's Office is facing the avalanche of applications for service that the public guardian is? Specifically, they have 72 applications pending at this time. Thank you.

Consideration in the 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 the 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 don't believe that the public trustee is facing the same avalanche of applications and I'm not aware of any particularly significant increase of activity. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in the 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. Do I have further comments or questions on page 286? Mr. O'Reilly.

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Under legal registries, there's a reduction of over $100,000. Can someone from the department explain that? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in the 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. O'Reilly. Minister.

Consideration in the 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, I understand that one of the positions of document examiner has been eliminated. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in the 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. O'Reilly.

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Will this have any impact on -- or how will that improve access to justice? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in the 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. O'Reilly. Minister.