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

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, has the department determined that this program isn’t achieving its objective? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe SEED is an important part of our portfolio to help diversify the economy, help entrepreneurs get into business, help support businesspeople in the Northwest Territories. What I'm saying is I believe that we need to have a serious look if we are using this program effectively in a way, in a manner that helps diversify and grow our economy, and just have a harder look at how we're actually using this money. That's my goal as the Minister of ITI. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, a quick check, I guess: under this economic diversification and business support is there an opportunity to speak on the Business Incentive Policy?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister, can you advise? Is this the appropriate place to speak about the Business Incentive Policy?

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Yes, I believe it is, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, I'd like to ask the Minister if the department is still contemplating possible review or maybe revamping of the Business Incentive Policy, first question. Second question is: is the Business Incentive Policy meeting its intended objective?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just had to get it clarified because I know we're doing some stuff. Well, constantly we're always reviewing BIP, of course. BIP is a big part of giving people in the Northwest Territories, businesses that are up here, a kind of a head's up or leg up on southern people competing against us.

We're doing a review right now of all registrants of BIP; I think we're almost done most regions. We're still trying to finish off the North Slave, as it probably has the most number of registered BIP companies in the Northwest Territories. We're trying to make sure that the registered BIP companies are compliant to the policies that we have, and that's one of the reviews that we're doing. So we're not doing a full-blown review on BIP right now, but we are always currently working with the BIP program and doing a review and make sure that it's doing what it's supposed to do. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Beaulieu.

February 14th, 2017

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm wondering if the review is going to include the community portion of BIP? Right now there's certainly an advantage for NWT BIP companies over southern companies; I should say, it sort of evens the playing field between North and South, but I'm wondering if the Minister is also looking at the difference between North and local? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister, you have one minute to answer.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There's already a difference in local and northern because a local person gets an extra percentage for BIP versus a company that's from outside the community, so that's already in place. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm not asking if there's a difference; I know there's that threshold. I'm asking if that threshold is being reviewed also. The Minister answered the question previously saying, "We're always reviewing BIP, it sort of gives a leg up to the northern companies versus southern companies." My question was specific to northern versus local. Is that part also being looked at? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The answer is no, we're not at this present time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Beaulieu, your time has expired. Mr. Testart is next.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I'm just going to jump right into my honourable friend's -- or follow up on my honourable friend's comments.

The concern I hear from constituents who are business owners is that in some cases there are companies that have been grandfathered into BIP that are no longer 100 per cent northern-based, although they may have a portion of northern ownership. So are we taking that approach in evaluating BIP, if it's still meeting its objectives?

If you have a company that is owned by, let's say, a European holding corporation but still has a branch in the Northwest Territories that is on a preferred procurement list, is that really what we were trying to achieve with BIP in the first place and are we evaluating it along those lines? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess to get right to the crux of his question, we're having a hard look at the 51 per cent ownership portion of BIP and we're having a look at it and seeing if anything can be done at all. We are having a look at it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and before I go any further I just want to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Tom Jensen, the Deputy Minister for ITI. I believe this is his first appearance as a witness in this Chamber.

There's a lot to cover in this section. We've talked a bit about SEED. I'd like to talk a bit about the agricultural strategy. We heard from the Department of Lands -- the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment heard from the Department of Lands, and they indicated that there may be some difficulty in this department's ability to properly access land for agricultural development. So what kind of internal resources have been allocated to the development of the agricultural strategy, and do we have dedicated resources and staff working on this very important initiative? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of Feb. 15th, 2017

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