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

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. I think the Minister had commented before that during the business plans that there was some discussion of this, and I think there were some questions asked of him at the time. The department obviously feels fairly comfortable that they would have this covered off. He did say at the time we have it covered off, or it would be covered off, and I, for one, take his word for it, and I don't think he would be saying it if he didn't have any reasoning for it or trying to pull the wool over committee's eyes,. If he says that they're comfortable with this $21,000 reduction, but the program is still going to be covered off by existing folks, then we should take that at face value, and so with that, Mr. Speaker, we will be voting against the motion.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister McLeod. To the motion. I see no more comments. We will proceed to the vote. Question has been called. I'll call upon Ms. Green to conclude debate on the motion.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no reason to doubt that the Minister is speaking to me in good faith a propos to what Mr. R.C. McLeod said. I happen to know the person who is in the position, and I know that she works more than half-time to deliver the programs here, in Yellowknife, and on behalf of the department around the Northwest Territories. I feel that, while it is very valuable to have an additional position in the South Slave, that it is also valuable to keep the regional and the headquarters at strength in this role in order to ensure that everybody is well-informed, is well-educated, about the environment that we live in. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Green.

---Carried

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Since we returned to page 87, we need to once again agree: Environment and Natural Resources, corporate management, operations expenditure summary activity total, $14,054,000. Agreed?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

We will now continue back on page 91, the environment sections. We will, as we've been doing, continue discussing the detail first. So we will look at page 92. Comments or questions about the detail on page 92. Committee has no questions on page 92? Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On page 92 there was a biomass energy tariff. There was $150,000 taken out. Could the Minister please explain why this was reduced if we're talking about biomass as an alternative way of doing energy? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Ms. Kelly.

Kelly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This money was remaining after the transfer of renewable energy funds to Public Works and Services. This was a project in Fort McPherson on biomass, and it was determined that it would stay with ENR until the project was complete. The project was complete, so the money has sunsetted. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Mr. Thompson asked the question I was going to, so thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have some questions about this Government's climate change efforts. First, is there a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy? I know there's the greenhouse gas and emissions, but do we have a strategy that includes looking at the future costs of climate change, and does it plan for those costs? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Ms. Kelly.

Kelly

Mr. Chair, there's two concurrent processes going on right now. One of them is the pan-Canadian framework for climate change, and the NWT is participating in that. But the Greenhouse Gas Strategy is being replaced by the Climate Change Strategic Framework, which will be going out shortly for engagement, and it will include a wide variety of topics related to climate change, including some of those which were mentioned by the Member. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I note that the adaptation plan under "Contributions" has seen a small increase. What exactly do we use that funding for? I note that it's for support planning actions by NWT communities, regional governments, and organizations. It just seems like that's a very small pot of money considering the significant need for climate change adaptation. My mind turns to our coastal communities, particularly Tuktoyaktuk which has seen a great deal of coastal erosion. I know the community there is struggling with properly understanding the problem and what's needed to solve the problem, and this seems like a very small pot of money considering many of those harbours and communities are at risk as coastal erosion continues, not to mention permafrost degradation in communities that are built atop permafrost. Is that funding adequate at this time? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Ms. Kelly.

Dr. Kelly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So the funds that you're referring to here, Member, are for communities to take action to mitigate or adapt to climate change, but there's also other funds that come into the department through agreements with the federal government that are used towards that type of work, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Where would I find those funds? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Ms. Kelly.

Debates of June 8th, 2016

Topics

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