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

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I note under this activity we've got the science agenda indicated. I'm wondering what the department's efforts are in regards to attracting more scientific research investment in the Northwest Territories. We have untapped potential to attract more research opportunities here and if the department's role in leading the science agenda is looking at ways to open the Northwest Territories up to more research opportunities and investment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Ms. Kelly.

Kelly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are efforts going on right now to revitalize the existing science agenda. Work is being done among the departments to revitalize that document, and the thinking is that the next step would be to define a science strategy that's more specific, that can be used to even further attract people to the North, researchers to do work with us on some of our science needs. Currently, that work is being done within the department and through our science advisor at ENR. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank the department for that. It's encouraging to see that we're taking this seriously. We have a partner in Ottawa who's very keen on innovation and scientific growth, and we have a federal agency here, in the form of CanNor, that's keen to invest in those opportunities. Also, there's university partners across the country that could be making more use, and I know there are some legislative barriers to bringing more university dollars here, to the North. Will part of this work on a science strategy address legislative barriers and work on eliminating them so we can bring more university dollars here, in the North, and more funding opportunities, granting opportunities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Ms. Kelly.

Dr. Kelly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are many partnerships that have been developed with universities through ENR and other departments, and I'm unaware of challenges with bringing some of that funding to the North. We've been very successful doing that over the past few years and, I think, in the past, as well. So, thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think the only… Well, I'm eager to see the strategy roll out and I hope that committee will be, and I'm sure that committee will be consulted. I hope also we do some public engagement of this and get it out to the scientific community and not just here, in the Northwest Territories, but in people doing northern research across Canada and potentially in international organizations, as well. I would encourage the department to actually look at those partners and not just keep it in-house and keep it in this building, as well, because those are the people we want to bring here and that's the kind of work we need to inspire and really see those opportunities role out and become a leader of northern science here, in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Ms. Kelly.

Dr. Kelly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The department agrees with the Member and has been doing such work. One example is in the water strategy action plan, the new one, there will be a process with communities to identify research priorities with those groups and identify particular partners and have input from researchers into those research priorities. So thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Nothing further from Mr. Testart. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I notice in Climate Change is $150,000 reduction. If this is a priority of this government, why is this reduction occurring? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Ms. Kelly.

Dr. Kelly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's my understanding that that is the sunset of the biomass funding and that's where that that sunsetted money that we referred to earlier went. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank Ms. Kelly for the answer. In contaminated sites and remediation, it's a reduction of $218,000. Are the sites all cleaned up or… I'm just trying to understand the rationale for this reduction. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Ms. Craig.

Craig

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When you compare main estimates from 2015-16 to 2016-17, it's a reduction of $25,000, and that was a small reduction in our O and M funding there. No, not all the contaminated sites are cleaned.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Craig. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, I guess my math is all lacking here because I got revised estimates of $537,000 and the main estimates at $319,000. I understand what you were looking at for your main, but you had to revise one, so could you please explain the difference so I could understand a little bit clearer? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Ms. Craig.

Craig

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, during 2015-16 the department was successful in receiving $200,000 in devolution money to complete a project and do some research regarding the sites that were transferred as part of devolution, but that was one-time funding that we received during 2015-16. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Craig. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I thank Ms. Craig for the answer; that makes more sense now. I guess I should actually say where I get lines are. So when I look at the environmental protection there's a $195,000 reduction, this is I'm going with the revised estimates, so can you explain what the rationale of what this reduction is? Considering if I look at the actuals for 2014-15, it was $2.26 million, so…

Debates of June 8th, 2016

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