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 Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll redirect that to the deputy minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Deputy Minister Jensen.

Jensen

We do have dedicated resources working within the department to develop the strategy, and the strategy is actually going to be tabled in this session. We have a penultimate or final draft of it, and we will be tabling it in this session. So the actual strategy has been completed primarily using internal resources at this time, but previously we did contract some resources to start the work; but we are there right now and have completed the piece of work and it will be tabled.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Deputy Minister Jensen. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that. With the tabling of the strategy, are we going to see resources or money dedicated to implementing this strategy as we saw with the economic opportunity strategy? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As we roll out this strategy and bring it to the House in this Assembly we're probably going to use internal resources to initially kick it off. As the Member said, there's a number of legislative things that need to be worked out to fully implement the strategy around the lands issue in particular in the Northwest Territories and we are working with other departments, Health and Social Services and ENR, on this initiative on how we're going to do that. At some point, I think as the thing gains traction in the next couple of years. I don't think this is something that's going to be resolved overnight; we're going to have to start looking at how we're going to fund this moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The reduction of the BDIC annual contribution in the amount of $477,000, what is the rationale for that cut? If the Minister can answer. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, as I said earlier, this is one of the reductions that we've asked the department to take. They're fully aware of our ask and they told us that they could move forward without any implications on their funding or supports for small business in the Northwest Territories. So it's part of our budget reduction for the department, and we've asked them to basically take a haircut and they said they can do it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That's an expensive haircut; it's 15 per cent of their operating budget. So, I mean, this feels all too familiar to what we see with Aurora College, where they were asked to make a reduction. They apparently are developing a strategic plan or a corporate plan and yet decisions are being made prior to the release of that plan. So can the Minister just clarify, Minister, you said there was a corporate plan being developed for BDIC. What is the status of that? Is ITI involved in developing it and when will it be available for review by committee and honourable Members of this Assembly? Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

February 14th, 2017

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. BDIC is working on their own corporate plan, but I believe that we have to table it before April 1st of this year in the House, so that will be coming forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. Is ITI's sole involvement in the development of this plan setting reduction targets for BDIC? Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We went to them and asked them what they can do to help offset our reductions, and they came forward with what they think would work. They believe, as I said already, that they can carry out their programs and meet the objections of the BDIC for the people of the Northwest Territories for economic development. That is what we have brought forward, and we stand behind it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Minister, are there future cuts contemplated apart from this, or is this the extent of the reduction exercise that we will see for BDIC over the remainder of this term of government? Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the remaining life of this government, after this session is done and we get the budget passed, no, we will not be asking the BDIC for any more cuts. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Debates of Feb. 15th, 2017

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