This is page numbers 1655 – 1698 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 going.

Topics

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Like my colleagues, I, too, want to talk about the need for economic diversification. It is in our mandate, yet there are no increases in economic diversification in the ITI budget. In fact, there are several cuts proposed. If you look at the budget overall, even in the Minister's opening remarks, this is a budget that overall is going to be cut, the department, by 7.3 per cent, $4.4 million. This is, I guess, driven by Cabinet's fiscal strategy.

In terms of economic diversification and business support, there is a 17 per cent cut in grants and contributions, and that is largely made up by a 15 per cent cut to the Business Development and Investment Corporation, and I have to wonder whether this is really a prelude to getting rid of the corporation. Is that what the intention of Cabinet is and the Minister is, to get rid of this entity that helps with economic diversification and business support?

Regular MLAs, we have asked for that particular cut to be rolled back. We have also asked for cuts in community futures to be rolled back.

Then, where is the real investment in economic diversification in this departmental budget? Where is the agricultural strategy? Where is the money to back that up? We are still waiting for that. We have offered comments on that. We are still waiting for this agricultural strategy, and there is no new investment of money in this departmental budget around agriculture.

Where is the manufacturing policy that has been promised by this department? It is in our mandate, as well. There is no new money for manufacturing policy implementation or an action plan. So there are just no additional investments in real diversification in here. Regular MLAs, we have suggested that there be an extra $1.2 million into the SEED program as one way to help spur further economic activity here in the Northwest Territories, promote economic diversification and support businesses. That is the kind of direction that my two previous colleagues have talked about, as well, but, in this department, in this budget, the main estimates, there is very little real economic diversification effort that is being expended.

I will have some other issues, Mr. Chair, that I will raise as we work our way through the main estimates for this department. One that I am concerned about is the slow pace of legislative changes. I have been on record in this House as talking about how not one word of the devolution mirror legislation has been changed in three years. This department is responsible for a number of important revisions to legislation that are supposed to be brought forward.

Recently, the request for qualifications on a Mineral Resources Act has been made public, and it looks like we are not going to get that, or the latest that we will get a new Mineral Resources Act is March 31, 2018, and we are contracting out that work, so I really have to question what kind of capacity we have within the department to bring forth these legislative initiatives. I expect further delays.

There is also in the business plan supposed to be -- or the department is supposed to be looking at legislation for geothermal energy, and I will have questions for the Minister around the status of that legislation. There is also an oil and gas strategy that is supposed to be developed. That hasn't come forward yet. What is happening with offshore negotiations as a result of the federal government's decision to prohibit any exploration in the offshore for five years? We will have some questions for the department on that.

Lastly, Mr. Chair, I will have some questions with regard to the Environmental Studies Revolving Funds and its governance and how the money is being expended there. It is an interesting model, set up in legislation, and there are some interesting comparisons between that and, wearing a different hat, the Minister is talking about Yellowknife Airport Economic Advisory Committee that is done through terms of reference rather than legislation. This fund and how it is governed and so on might be an interesting example for the Minister to take away and have another look at, as well.

So, Mr. Chair, in conclusion, this government talks a lot about economic diversification but does not deliver with this budget and the funding for this department. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

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

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, too, look forward to the activities of this department and focusing on the programs identified within this department and comparison to what we have existing in the Sahtu.

If you were to take away industry, which industry is gone, for example, and take away government capital projects, you virtually have nothing, so you are kind of depending on the initiative, marketing initiatives, of this department as one component and relying on this department for diversification and marketing initiatives and supports to the existing enterprise, which is hard enough in our area, operating within an isolated seasonal-access community.

Quite a bit of our businesspeople and leaders do rely on the activities of this department's plans financially, fiscally, over the next 12 months, so I, too, would like to get on to business here and review this file and this department so we can move on. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Let's get on with business. Minister Schumann, do you have any responses to the general comments from the Members?

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I think I want to get right into it. It sounds like they have got a number of questions, so let's do it.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. The department begins on page 189. As is our custom, we will defer the total department until after consideration of the activities. The first activity is corporate management, and it begins on page 197, continuing until page 199. Members can make comments, ask questions, about this activity. Please indicate which page number you are talking about before you discuss it so we can all follow along. First, I have Mr. O'Reilly.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I have some questions about the organizational charts on 190-191. Is this the appropriate time to talk about those, or will they come at the end when we look at the departmental total? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

I believe the appropriate time would either be during the final, when we are looking at the departmental total, or they can be addressed, if there are positions under corporate management, if you would like to address that part of the organizational chart within the corporate management sections, the Minister could probably answer questions about that. All right. Thank you. Do we have anything further? Corporate management. I will give committee a moment. Mr. Nadli.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just in terms of corporate management on page 197, we have three communities that are borderline caught in between two districts, either Fort Simpson or Hay River. So just for the record, I just wanted to come to an understanding from the Minister of his perception in terms of which office would preside over delivering services to Fort Providence, Kakisa, and Enterprise, whether it is the Dehcho office out of Fort Simpson, the district office, or else the South Slave office based out of Hay River. Thank you.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Minister.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That would be serviced out of the Hay River office. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Mr. Nadli.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to clarify the Minister's reply. If I understand him correctly, for the three communities, including Fort Providence, Kakisa, Enterprise, they are serviced out of Hay River. Am I correct? Thank you.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Nadli.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's correct. It would be serviced out of the Hay River office.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Mr. Nadli, go ahead.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a last question: the Hay River Reserve, would they be serviced out of the Fort Simpson District Office or else the Hay River South District Office? Thank you.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. They also would be serviced out of the Hay River District Office. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Anything further, Mr. Nadli?

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

No further questions.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Recognizing Mr. O'Reilly.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

February 14th, 2017

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm on page 198, Corporate Management. Under policy, legislation and communications, I see that last year the department was not able to spend the amount that was put into the main estimates. This year there is a further reduction. I mentioned in my opening remarks how this department has a number of important legislative initiatives that it keeps saying it's going to bring forward. Can the Minister explain to me how these legislative initiatives are going to come forward on time when the department is making reductions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health And Social Services, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Health And Social Services, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As we have said, we have talked about it in the House a number of times on how we are going to bring LPs forward. We believe that we can get the job done within the life of this Legislative Assembly, and we have a number of initiatives that are coming forward as the Member has said in his opening comments, and we will be bringing those forward in a timely manner; and we believe we will be able to do that in the length of this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.