Debates of Feb. 15th, 2017

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

Oral Questions

Prayer

Pan-Territorial On-The-Land Summit

Basic 911 Implementation

Addressing Social Challenges In Downtown Yellowknife

Youth Sexual Health Workshops In The Deh Cho Region

Developing Tourism Opportunities In The Deh Cho Region

Long-Term Care Programs

Aurora College Teacher Education Program

Programs For Sahtu Youth

Northern-Based Addictions Treatment Centre

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

Public Housing Rent Assessments

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Acknowledgment 17-18(2): Male Soccer Players On U16 North American Indigenous Games Soccer Team

Acknowledgment 18-18(2): Passing Of Jean Piro

Acknowledgment 19-18(2): Passing Of Albert Bohnet

Social Service Facilities In Downtown Yellowknife

Aurora College Teacher Education Program

Mental And Sexual Health Programs For Youth

Northern-Based Addictions Treatment Centre

Public Housing Rent Assessments

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

Deline Self-Government Agreement

Developing Tourism Opportunities In The Deh Cho Region

Long-Term Care Funding

Public Housing Rent Assessments

Aurora College Teacher Education Program

Tabled Document 279-18(2): Follow-Up Letter For Oral Question 484-18(2): Kam Lake Environmental Assessment

Tabled Document 280-18(2): 'the Hill Times' Article - Divide And Conquer: How The Feds Split The Provinces In Health Talks

Tabled Document 284-18(2): Minister Of Families, Children And Social Development Mandate Letter To Minister Duclos

Bill 17: An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act

Bill 18: An Act To Amend The Social Services Profession Act

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

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

Tabled Document 261-28(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Industry, Tourism And Investment, Deferral Of Economic Diversification And Business Support Activity

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

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

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you Minister. That is a welcome commitment. You will note that the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning has also asked that this cut be foregone, so I will leave that with you for consideration. Another area of concern is, of course, the SEED program. I note that the SEED program has remained stable in funding, which is also welcome, but why have we not looked at enriching this program? Are all areas of the many buckets available for access, are they being fully subscribed, or are there some areas that have less interest than others? Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I said in an earlier answer, the SEED is fully subscribed in the Northwest Territories. My concern is: how are we actually spending this money? Are we targeting it properly to diversify and grow the economy in the Northwest Territories?

Also, to the other Member's comment that he mentioned, there are many buckets of money. There are a number of programs in the Northwest Territories for people to access, from community futures, to SEED, to BDIC, to different funding in ITI for tourism support, so there are a number of initiatives that are available through the department and outside sources of funding in the Northwest Territories to help people grow their businesses or start a new business in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart, you have a little bit of time left.

February 14th, 2017

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Noting the clock, I will yield the remainder of my time. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. What is the total amount that BDIC has available to lend? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We would have to look that up and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is unfortunate. I figured that would be something that would be in one of those big briefing binders. What is the total amount that BDIC is able to lend each person? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Mr. Chair, I believe the maximum they can lend an individual is $2 million. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. How long has that number been in place, and is it indexed to inflation? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe that is been in place roughly about five years, if I remember correctly. I do not believe it is tied to CPI. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, the money in this budget, this line item here for NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation, almost $3 million, that is just to manage the lending of the money. Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is also for the collection and the subsidiaries of BDIC. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You can see why it is difficult to vote on these types of items without more information. What exactly am I voting on here? It is not clear in these main estimates. In the coming years, they really need to be fleshed out a bit more.

We discussed SEED already, but I have a few more questions. The Minister said he was looking into how that money is actually used. Is there some sort of a system that each region is using, some sort of uniform system that the information is being put in: who the money is being lent to, what sector it is going into, and then returns on investment? Is there some sort of unified program that the department will be able to look at to make a determination, evidence-based determination, of how that SEED money is being used? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe that information is already out there. It is all in the grants and contributions reports. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of Feb. 15th, 2017

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