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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and I'll save up some questions then for the Finance Minister then. These guys are off the hook for now. Thanks.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Seeing no other questions, I will call this page again. Environment, operations expenditure summary, activity total $4,079,000. Agreed?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Moving on to forest management division. Once again, we will wait to discuss page 95 and we will start on the detail on page 96: forest management, grants, contributions and transfers. Any comments or questions? Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just under "fire damage compensation," I see there's a $100,000 there. How would that be… Like, say somebody's place burned down by a forest fire, how much would each individual receive under this program and how is it calculated as to how much they will receive? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. Campbell.

Campbell

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under that program, the maximum a harvester can receive is $35,000 and it's broken down into a number of areas, one being the replacement of potential loss of their cabins. Another one for relocation costs to harvesting in new areas. The second one is for things like opening up trails and access, I guess, to harvesting areas. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, $100,000, let's say five, six people lost their cabins, you know, it's going to be underfunded this pot here. A good example is all the cabins that were burned down around Yellowknife, for example, the last couple of years and, you know, around Providence. You know, out through this area here. You know, is that $100,000 adequate for this program? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. Campbell.

Campbell

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, the $100,000 in some years is not an adequate amount. As you notice on the page in the 14-15 actuals, there it's much higher than the $100,000. In those instances, if the department cannot find the funding from within then we would come back for an additional supp. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, I'm surprised to see that there's no money this year in the community protection research. You know, that sort of money is, you know, for firebreaks and whatnot, anything that'll... Back burning, that's something I'd like to see as a practice by some of the communities. You know, why is there no money in there for this?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. Campbell.

Campbell

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding with that money, it's been rolled into the following two projects: fire science and fire research projects. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Well, that sounds good. Thanks.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Next, I have Mr. McNeely.

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

On the same page, page 96, Mr. Chair, just clarification on the $75,000 designated for wildfire risk and management plans. Is the definition of this program for firebreaks around communities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Campbell.

Campbell

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The $75,000 is for communities to access to do mitigation work for wildfire. This is in our fund that we use to, of course, leverage partnerships with the community governments, with MACA there’s a collaborative effort to implement the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This amount we've been using in the past to provide somewhat funding in particular to some of the most vulnerable communities and the smaller communities to do wildfire mitigation work. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. McNeely.

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Which program is designated for firebreaks around communities, small communities?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Campbell.

Campbell

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The dollars identified there is the program that is designated for the community protection efforts such as fire or fuel breaks. We also have our staff in the regions and as well as headquarters that provide technical expertise to the communities and MACA, et cetera, for implementing this stuff. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of June 8th, 2016

Topics

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