Debates of June 14th, 2016

This is page numbers 571-628 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 services.

Topics

Oral Questions
Prayer
Minister’s Statement 50-18(2): Investments To Advance Mining
Minister’s Statement 51-28(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway From Wrigley To Norman Wells
Minister’s Statement 52-18(2): Skills 4 Success: Labour Market Information
Medical Travel Challenges
Distance Learning Opportunties
Plan To Address The High Cost Of Power
Post-Secondary Educational And Career Supports
Yellowknife Farmers Market 2016
Reduction To Small Business Tax Rates
Services To Support Seniors’ Aging-In-Place
GNWT Liabilities For Cantung Mine Site Remediation
Gwich’in Tribal Council Leadership Elections
Proactive Funding Supports To Address Alcohol And Drug Health Issues
Acknowledgements
Question 215-8(2): Distance Learning Opportunities
Medical Travel Challenges
Question 217-8(2): Plan To Address The High Cost Of Power
Post-Secondary Educational And Career Supports
Proactive Funding Supports To Address Alcohol And Drug Health Issues
Intergovernmental Relationship With Aboriginal Governments
GNWT Liabilities For Cantung Mine Site Remediation
Reduction To Small Business Tax Rates
Remediation Of Aklavik Power Plant Site
Services To Support Seniors Aging In Place
Medical Travel Challenges
Proactive Funding Supports To Address Alcohol And Drug Health Issues
Tabled Document 64-18(2): Labour Market Information Resource: Northwest Territories Labour Market Forecast And Needs Assessment Resource: April 2016
Tabled Document 66-18(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation 2016-2017 Capital Adjustments
Notices of Motion
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

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

I sure would, Mr. Chair. Blood and blood services is in diagnostic services, and I was answering Mr. Kieron Testart's question previously. He was asking about a different line, but I gave him the answer that I just gave you. The answer I just gave you is the right answer. The answer I gave him is the wrong answer.

We have a reduction and the need for blood and blood services because of demand. We aren't utilizing as much, so we reduced the budget accordingly. Mr. Chair, do you want me to get her to answer Mr. Testart's question?

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

No thank you, Minister. If Mr. Testart has a question, he can get in the queue. Mr. O'Reilly.

Consideration in 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. I'm going to get out of this queue before I get more confused. Thanks, 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. O'Reilly. 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

Yeah, I'd appreciate getting the right answer from the Minister for a change. 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. O'Reilly, or Mr. Testart. Would the Minister like to respond?

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

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I would like to get Ms. Mathison to respond, please.

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. Mathison.

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

Mathison

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under pharmacy in 2014-15, there were increased actuals there in compared to 2015-16. What happened in 2014-15 and a few years prior to that was we had increased money in the budget to pay additional costs for referred-out laboratory services. That money was approved for a period of time, and the money sunset which allowed us to overspend in 2014-15, but didn't allow us to have the budget available for 2015-16. We are currently reviewing to determine whether or not there continues to be a shortfall and a need for increased funding for an outlab at this time. 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. Mathison. 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

Can the Minister provide more details on the referred-out laboratory services? 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

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We are going to Ms. DeLancey, please.

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. DeLancey.

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

Delancey

Jeannie.

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. DeLancey. Minister.

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

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We go to Ms. Mathison.

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. Mathison.

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

Mathison

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The expenditures for referred out labs are actually contracts we have for southern providers to provide our laboratory readings. I am not sure of the official terminology, but our lab samples get sent south for analysis. 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. Mathison. 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

Is the Minister then saying that there actually could be a need for an additional million dollars of spending here based on this review the department is currently undertaking? 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

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Potentially, but we do need to do our analysis to figure out what the actuals are so that we can build a business case for that. Potentially, yes. 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

Nothing further, Mr. Chair.