Thank you, Minister. Anything further, Ms. Green? Nothing further from Ms. Green. I have Mr. Thompson.
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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a couple of questions. I notice a reduction of $410,000 for the facilities program, properties planning risk management safety. Can the Minister please explain why we see the reduction in this area? Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wally Schumann Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will defer that question to the deputy of Public Works and Services. 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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Guy
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The net reduction is a number of amounts that went in and out of that particular line item. There were a number of transfers that went in. These were transfers for leases from Executive to Public Works for the single-window service centres, which added money in. Then we had reductions that were really some of the carryover reductions from previous years, the partial funding for the positions that were sunsetting from last year's budget. There was $100,000 for one position there, $93,000 for a second position. Sorry. The $93,000 was for surplus assets that were sent out as well. 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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the answer from the deputy minister. In regard to leases, I notice there is a reduction there. Is that just amalgamation with the two departments and we are eliminating some of the spaces? Is that what it is? Or is it vehicles or stuff like that? 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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Guy
Thank you, Mr. Chair. On the leases, it is a couple of things. It is work that was being done for previous initiatives like consulting financial services. We find that when we go through and update the office space for departments and put them into new accommodations, they tend to use the space more efficiently, so we are getting some savings through being able to collapse leased space through some of those initiatives. Also, some of our lease renewals are coming in at a lower cost or at a stable cost. I think the third piece as well is that the O and M increases are less than we had anticipated on some of the leases. 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 R.J. Simpson
Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Nothing further from Mr. Thompson. Do we have any further questions or comments on asset management on pages 224 to 227? Seeing none, I will call this department. Infrastructure, asset management, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $74,981,000. Does committee agree?
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, committee. We turn now to corporate management starting on pages 228 to 231. I will give committee a moment. If you have comments or questions? 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 Kam Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am not sure if this is the place for it, but I have a question: in light of the amalgamation, does an establishment policy exist for this new Department of Infrastructure? 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 R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. Testart. Can the Minister's witnesses advise if this is the correct place and, if so, would they answer the question? Thank you. 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 Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Chair. That has made it through Cabinet already. Normally, we would wait until the budget procedure was done and we would bring that to committee, but I can make that commitment to sharing that with the Members. 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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Kieron Testart Kam Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am sorry. Did the Minister say he will make that commitment or he has made that commitment? I don't think we have heard it until now. If he could clarify. 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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wally Schumann Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I said we can make that commitment to sharing it with the Members as soon as we can.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Kieron Testart Kam Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. My concern was that we would be reviewing this in the head of such a policy existing, but I am pleased to know that it does, in fact, exist. That eases my concerns procedurally around this process. I am content with that. As soon as the Minister feels he can share that policy, I am sure we are all happy to look at it. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wally Schumann Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just to clarify, I will share it with the Members as soon as tomorrow even. 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 R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart. Nothing further from Mr. Testart. Mr. Blake.