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

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's not a new agricultural division per se. When you look at -- as the Member asked -- when he first did his opening comments on page 190 is how we've divided up the department. If you look on page 190 there's a director of economic diversification on the bottom of that page. That person is going to look after agriculture, commercial fisheries, arts, fine crafts, hide procurement program, and marketing and promotion of the Mackenzie Valley fur, as well. So that's been separated out of the diamond division stuff. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I want to congratulate the Minister for doing that. That's something I raised in the last review of the main estimates during the business plans as well. The need to make sure that the organizational chart actually reflects a concrete effort at economic diversification, because we've got these big stuff and big sections in here for mining and oil and gas but nothing really concrete on the economic diversification side. So congratulations to the new leadership in the department. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly, your time has expired. Next I have Mr. McNeely.

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I got part of my question answered here, but I'm going to ask it anyway and it might be a carryover to the next activity. We lost one position; it's a small community, and I know the individual. I can see the merit behind the cut, but by the same token if it's the petroleum advisor initiative there's still petroleum beneath where this position sits. So I'm kind of thinking, if this is going to be a carryover or a possible carryover mid-term to this budget, if there's allowances for re-hire on a part-time basis should remedial responsibilities and potential opportunities in the reclamation of the Norman Wells oilfield occur that might warrant justification for reinstatement. Is that being considered? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Minister.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, we would not be considering doing that right now. As I've said, we don't believe oil and gas is going to come back into the Northwest Territories for some time. The duties for this position, though, we believe will be carried forward by the client service and community relations division and ITI, which manages similar duties. So we believe that, if something does happen in the short-term, we will be able to fill that from internally. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. McNeely.

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll wait for my second half of the question here on the next activity. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Anything further? Comments or questions? Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the commercial fisheries industry supports there was $1.4 million earmarked in the last budget to go towards the development of a facility in Hay River. Yourself, Mr. Chair, would have raised this in question period. I wonder if the Minister can just clarify why that disappears in this budget and what the plan for that funding is. Has it been spent? How is this money being disposed of? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The $1.41 million was included in the 2016-17 main estimates and was an initiative funding approved for one year, so it was there for one year as part of the economic opportunity strategy.

As I've said in the House, this is sunsetting in 2017-18 and if we don't get something done with our partners in leveraging this money we'll be looking for a carryover and hopefully be able to get something done after the next fiscal year-end. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So accounting mechanics aside, the intention is to invest this money in the commercial fishery in Hay River? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that's exactly what we want to do with it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart.

February 15th, 2017

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you for that answer. Mr. Chairman, if the Minister could answer. The commercial fisheries subsidy, freight subsidy, is that currently meeting the needs of our fishers? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess that question would be depending on who asked. If you're asking me, I'm going to say it meets the needs of the commercial fisheries right now.

This payment includes to subsidize the freight costs which go back to the fishermen; that amount is $205,000, as well, to cover a portion of operations, maintenance and capital replacement costs of $20,000. So that's what we're giving to the commercial fisheries right now. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is that all-season operations or only summer operations? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Debates of Feb. 15th, 2017

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