Debates of Feb. 21st, 2017

This is page numbers 1837 – 1882 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 program.

Topics

Oral Questions
Prayer
Canada’s Top Employer Of Young People 2017
Small Community Employment Support Program
Electoral Reform
Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve
Aurora College Program Reductions
Coordination Of Anti-Poverty Initiatives
Recognition Of Jessie Loutit
Out-Migration From Small Communities
Maintenance Enforcement Collections
Air Quality Regulations
Lack Of Employment Opportunities In Mackenzie Delta Communities
Aurora College Teacher Education Program
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Support To Address Tragedies In Smaller Communities
Maintenance Enforcement Payments
Coordination Of Anti-Poverty Initiatives
Air Quality Regulations
Sahtu Land Use Planning
Aurora College Budget Reductions
Addressing Migration From Small Communities
Small Community Employment Fund
Reductions To Ferry Services On Peel And Mackenzie Rivers
Aurora College Performance Evaluation
Return To Written Question 15-18(2): Northwest Territories' Participation At The Association Of Mineral Exploration Bc Roundup In January 2017
Return To Written Question 16-18(2): Cabinet's November 2106 Trip To Ottawa
Petition 5-18(2): Funding To Aurora College
Tabled Document 288-18(2): Government Of The Northwest Territories Response To Motion 26-18(2): Junior Kindergarten
Tabled Document 291-18(2): List Of Northwest Territories Ministers And Staff Who Attended One Or More Events Associated With The Northwest Territories Mission To Ottawa, November 2016
Tabled Document 294-18(2): Letter From Chris Westwell, Regarding Proposed Budget Cuts To Aurora College
Tabled Document 296-18(2): Pension Administration Report - Retiring Allowances Act And Supplementary Retirement Allowances Act, Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, March 31, 2016
Extended Adjournment Of The House To February 28, 2017
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Corporate Management Activity
Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Programs And Services Activity
Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Regional Operations Activity
Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Infrastructure
Report of Committee of the Whole
Orders of the Day

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Neudorf

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There were actually some positives and negatives in that line item, where there is some incremental funding related to some permafrost research and development work, some funding that we are getting from Transport Canada, about a quarter of a million dollars, and then there was a reduction there to the budget that we have related to granular crushing and resurfacing. Then, along with that, there are some other program realignments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

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

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think that is all I have got for that page. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

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

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page 226, there is a grant-in-kind, Deh Cho bridge opportunities grant. I am wondering if the Minister can give some detail on this grant. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will give that to the deputy minister of Transportation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Neudorf.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Neudorf

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When we were transitioning the Deh Cho Bridge project from a project working with the local community, with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, to taking it over, to becoming a DOT matters project, one of the things we had to do was negotiate with the community to terminate the arrangement that we had with them. One of the things we did was enter into this agreement with the community that we would provide them $200,000 for -- it was 35 years at that time, which would have been the life of the concession agreement that we were planning to enter into with the bridge corporation. Instead of that, we are giving them a contribution of $200,000 over that period of time, and it is to promote economic development, find community-related opportunities that are related to the bridge. Essentially, to do the same thing, same type of benefit that the community would have got if they had been able to continue on with the involvement with the Deh Cho Bridge project itself. Thank you, Mr. Chair

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Neudorf. Nothing further? Mr. Testart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the response from Mr. Neudorf. Can the department provide us with any detail on the economic benefits that have come from the impact of the grant funding so far? I will just start with that. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Mr. Neudorf.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Neudorf

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The community does need to provide us with a report on how they are spending the money every year. We would have that detail available. I don't have it in front of me. You will recall one of the most significant projects, it actually took a couple of years, was to upgrade some community infrastructure, and specifically the arena. They had allocated some of the money to upgrade the arena in the community. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Deputy Minister. Mr. Testart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would appreciate receiving that information. I think of the other kinds of projects we are thinking of developing as far as transportation corridors and how funding like this can make a big difference for the community. I hope we do pursue other relationships like this. I will ask that the Minister make a commitment to providing the most recent report or perhaps a summary of the impacts of the benefits so far. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Deputy Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Neudorf

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we will get that information for the Member.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Nothing further. I have Ms. Green.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my question is what is the name of the new office building on 49th Street in Yellowknife?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

February 20th, 2017

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

It is called the New Government Building. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Ms. Green.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I don't think that that name will stand the test of time. I am wondering whether the department is planning to name that building? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is my understanding it is an executive policy for doing that, so it would have to be part of the Executive. Thank you, Mr. Chair.